The Arab world is facing a very critical moment in its history. For the first time in decades, people have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the oppressive and undemocratic regimes that have been in power for decades in a number of Arab countries, most notably Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. Change has started in Tunisia, and the Jasmine Revolution succeeded in overthrowing Ben Ali, the former Tunisian president. Now demonstrations continue to call for reform in the interim government and making improvements in people’s lives and in the political system of the country.
For days, the people of Egypt have been organising demonstrations that are faced with the iron fist of the security forces. Protesters ask not only for economic improvements, but also for democracy and political reform. The world is observing the situation very closely, and the implications of the protest have been widely felt. The Egyptian stock exchange has been experiencing massive losses, and the government has so far failed to maintain the demonstrations despite the excessive use of force documented on all news channels.
This is a crucial moment in the history of Egypt and the Arab world as a whole. A moment that has been long awaited and at the same time feared!
Demonstrations = تظاهرات / مظاهرات
Protests = احتجاجات
Demands = مطالب
Reform = إصلاح
Political = سياسي
Economic = اقتصادي
Comments:
Yaaqub:
Great article and interjection of these words! The arab world certainly needs a revolution! Insha Allah things will be settling down soon!
Richard Slater:
Hi Aziza,
Do you think there is a possibility that the Security Forces will dissent and refuse to quell the protests? What is their incentive for keeping the regime – would they not benefit from a democratic society too?
aziza:
@Richard Slater Hi Richard,
I am editing my comment here. The security forces have left the scene now, but I trust that the army will not interfere or hurt the people of Egypt. All Egyptians feel so!
Of course Egypt deserves a democratic society, and in sha’ Allah there will be one. Everyone in the world deserves to live in a democratic society and to have their say in who governs them and how. I do not think that you would like to live under an oppressive regime, and all Egyptians feel the same.