Egypt demonstrators entertain to keep morale high

Two rows of men greet demonstrators at the main entrance to Tahrir Square, clapping as people enter, and chanting in the rhythms of a traditional Egyptian wedding procession.

"We are becoming bigger!" they shout. "God is Great!"

Inside Cairo's main square, musicians stroll, a man reads poetry to the crowd and vendors hawk potato chips, tea, hot food — even socks.

Tahrir Square, the scene of deadly battles with firebombs, rocks, horses and camels just last week, has taken on a carnival mood in the past few days as demonstrators try to establish an enduring presence, complete with food and entertainment, in their campaign to demand Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's ouster.Fruit vendor Ashraf Gaber, 30, asked people to express themselves in a few words, then wrote their thoughts on pieces of A4 paper he placed on a stack besides him.

Volunteers added it to a collage that spread out before Gaber in a a series of rows held down by rocks.

"We have to make the people happy!" Gaber shouted. "Express what is in your hearts!" he told the crowd.

"Oh Mubarak, you are a shoe!" read one — a particularly stinging insult in Arab culture.

"An Interior Ministry of Thugs!" read another.

Nearby, crowds of young men and women cheered and sung as Fadi Mikhael, 29, strummed an oud — or Arabic lute — to a Western beat.

"We won't be quiet! Raise your voice!" he sang on a stage, his voice amplified by four powerful speakers. The crowd clapped and repeated the chorus.

Poetry writing and recitation is a popular Arab pastime, a manifestation of pride in a language that's rich with subtle shades of meaning and unifies a people of different ethnic backgrounds and two major faiths.

There is a regional satellite television talent show just for poets — with viewers in the millions — and others dedicated to poets mocking each other in verse.

On another impromptu stage, a middle-aged man read poetry into a microphone as another crowd clapped at his ability to cleverly rhyme the stanzas.

"I am a peasant with a sheaf of wheat/I give it to the people generously," he read.

Nearby, demonstrators used stones, once used to repel pro-Mubarak supporters, to spell out slogans on the ground.

The command "Leave!" in Arabic spelled covered a few square feet (meters) of the square. The latest addition: "70 Billion" — the Mubarak family's rumored wealth.

Vendors sold dates, plastic cups of hot tea, socks — three pairs for $2 — sesame-seed snacks, potato chips and juice. Young men and women gathered in circles, debating the day's events. Before Jan. 25., Egyptians would not have dreamt of discussing politics so openly.

"We are learning a culture of respectful disagreement here," said Nashat Cross, 28, a Christian who works as a translator. "The level of cultured discussion is something I really admire."

From time to time, somebody in the crowd would begin chanting anti-Mubarak slogans, and hundreds of others joined in, clapping.

Men sometimes bellydanced on the side to the rhythm of the chants.

Another procession of men stood at the exit, waving the red-white-and-black Egyptian flag, banging drums, blowing on harmonicas and singing, again, like an Egyptian wedding procession.

"You'll come back, wont you?" they chanted. "You'll come back to liberate us!"

Reform Leader Asks Mubarak To Resign Too

Looking at the way things are going in Egypt right now, I really feel it is about time that Hosni Mubarak should leave and give the people some peace in their lives. It is actually quite astonishing how people are so greedy for power and position that they even sacrifice their own character, personality and principles just to stay in power and position. Naturally, mostly such people are hardly those that rule the hearts. 

I for one can say a lot about such rulers because since I was born till date we have seen such political leaders in Pakistan but we don't really know how to bring a balance here. However, things are not the same everywhere else. Other Muslim nations have taken a stand to get rid of selfish dictators. First it was Tunisia and now Egypt where people are tired of monarchies and dictatorships for lifetime - rulers that don't do much for their people and just want to stay for power. 

On Sunday, Nobel Peace Laureate, Mohamed ElBradei also came upfront at Tahrir Liberation Square in Cairo and demanded for the resignation of Hosni Mubarak along with thousands of protestors who have decided to not stop their march defying the curfew that Mubarak has ordered. It seems that ElBradei is going to lead this movement and he is chosen because he is person who is more acceptable to the Western world. ElBradei, however, also made it clear that America should mind its business and doesn't feel USA is credible enough to sort our affairs.

"You are the owners of this revolution. You are the future," ElBaradei told the crowd after nightfall. "Our essential demand is the departure of the regime and the beginning of a new Egypt in which every Egyptian lives in virtue, freedom and dignity."

Let's just hope that this matter is resolved and Hosni Mubarak, who perhaps planned to stay in power till his last breath decides to leave before more people are hurt in this situation. People of Egypt are tired of unemployment, rising prices, corruption and unfair elections whereby no other person can come into power.

STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT

The demonstrations in Egypt could end three decades of repressive rule and bring, at long last, freedom and democracy to Egypt.

The regime is attempting to starve the protest movement of two crucial sources of power: information and solidarity. But despite the internet blackout, Egyptian radios and satellite TVs can still receive broadcasts from across the border -- so Avaaz will work with broadcasters whose signals reach inside Egypt to circulate the number signatures on this statement of solidarity, along with messages of support from around the world for Egypt's people.

Every hour matters. What happens next depends of all of us. Let's stand with those on the streets and build a deafening outcry against rampant corruption and political repression, and for democratic reform. Sign the statement of solidarity--and spread the word about this campaign!

We stand with the people of Egypt in their demand for freedom and basic rights, an end to the crackdown and internet blackout, and immediate democratic reform. We call on our governments to join us in our solidarity with the Egyptian people.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/democracy_for_egypt/?copy

The History of Mother's Day

The concept of celebrating parenthood is not completely unique to any one culture or period of time. Maternity celebrations happened in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. These parties were held in honour of female goddesses and were of a spiritual nature. In Europe a party for mothers was held on the 4th Sunday of Lent. This vacation started as a technique to recognize Mary, the mummy of Christ, but later was broadened to include all mothers. Although many cultures across the ages have held parties to honour parenthood in general, this custom did not travel with the colonists to the new world.

Mother's Day in the united states has a separate and fascinating history. Julia Ward Howe, the writer of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, mourned for the carnage, destruction, death, and bitterness that existed in America following the Civil War. Her heart went out to all the mummies who had lost kids in this frightful war. She felt that mothers, more than any other people, felt the ache of lost youngsters, lost hope and a lost future. In 1870, she delivered an announcement which became known as the Mother's Day announcement. This announcement called upon mothers everywhere to use their influence to put and end to the tragedy and sourness by teaching charity, mercy and patience, and so bringing peace to the country. The text of this 1870 proclamation can be discovered at many online sites.

Julia tried to organize a day that was put aside for mothers to reach out to other mothers across the North and South bounds that had been established during the civil war. Her efforts had nominal success for one or two years, before fading away into American history. She won't have had success in creating an everlasting holiday, but her efforts did bring attention to the mum cause.

Another woman, Anna Reeves Jarvis, who lived in the Appalachians of West Virginia spent much of her time bringing relief to the downtrodden. After she mentioned that she wished there was a holiday set aside to honour mummy everywhere. After her expiration, her daughter, young Anna Jarvis, decided to make her ma's wish happen. In 1908, she worked to build a day to honour her mum. She began by asking the church where her mummy served for many years to hold a service particularly to honour mums. The church concluded, and the first Mother's Day meeting was held. Anna provided white carnations for every mummy attending. This convention of giving flowers to mothers during Mother's Day church services carried down through the years, and some denominations still honour that custom today.

Anna Jarvis commenced devoting much of her time to the concept of a vacation to celebrate mas. She petitioned state regimes and Sunday school boards. In 1912, West Virginia became the first state to recognize Mother's Day officially. Two year later, Woodrow Wilson signed a petition declaring Mother's Day to be a countrywide vacation, and setting the second Sunday in May as the yearly observance.

Ironically, once Anna Jarvis found success at building a national vacation to honour mums, she spent the rest of her life trying to stop it. She was considerably saddened by the commercialism of the vacation. She saw the giving of flowers and gifts as a step in the wrong direction. In spite of her efforts to end the commercial hijacking of the vacation she provoked, the day grew wings of it's own and spread across American culture.

Today, Mother's Day is celebrated around the planet. It is a day when motherhood is celebrated in churches and homes around the globe. It is one of the busiest days for the floral, greeting card and restaurant industries. Anna Jarvis won't be pleased by the way Mother's Day is celebrated today, but Mothers everywhere are given the honour they merit.

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