The biggest world news for the past couple weeks has been the revolution going on in Egypt. Thousands of Egyptians are protesting against the current ruler (considered by many a dictator), Mubarak, demanding that he leave office and be replaced with a democratic government. Before the protests in Egypt began, a similar revolution took place in the Northern African country of Tunisia, inspiring many Egyptians to do the same by standing up for their rights.
Respond to these questions:
#1: Read this article to understand WHY Egyptians began protesting. Why were they upset at Mubarak? How were Egyptian citizens being treated? What kind of system were they hoping for? What happened when they didn't receive that type of government?
#2: Check out this picture of Christians protesting Muslims who stopped to pray during the protests (remember, Muslims typically pray to Allah 5 times a day). Reflect on this picture. What do you think about these two religions coming together to try to change a broken government system?
#3: Thursday morning, Egyptian protests were under the impression that Mubarak was going to announce his resignation, or that he was planning to leave his position as leader. However, in his speech this morning, he announced that he was NOT going to resign after all! Click here to watch the video of his speech. THEN, the next day, it was announced that he WOULD resign after all! Reflect on the fact that the Egyptian protesters were successful in their revolution. (What would it feel like to know you have successfully changed or revolutionized your own country? What do you think will happen now? Was this a good idea, bad idea, or both and why? Tell us your thoughts....)
#4: Read the journal of this college student from Boston who was studying abroad in Cairo when the protests were happening. Reflect on what it might have been like to be in Egypt during this time period. (How would you have felt? What would you have done? Do you know or have heard of anyone else who was in Egypt recently? How has this revolution in Egypt affected you?)
Make sure you answer all FOUR questions!!! And keep watching the news, feel free to post any articles or video clips you find with new info, I'm sure there will be new updates every day!
The egyptians start protesting because tehy want to have their rights and want their current ruler to leave. Mubarck take them all theiir rights and were treated very bad because they couldnt get any jobs and cannot afford getting married. They want to change system of goverment to democratic.
ReplyDeleteI think that even though they are from different religions when they want the same thing could be together. In that picture catholics are protecting the muslims because they have to pray five times a day, they can work together.
If the ruler dont resigned protestants would be mad and it wouldnt stop it would be more violence. If he resigned everyone would feel free and happy but every place should have a ruler or people would get crazy.
If I was in there during these I will get nervious about was going to happen. I dont really hear at any time any story of a person who is or was there; it affects us because some puertoricans that went there to visit cannot fly again back and we couldnt go visit!:)
1)I guess is the history repeating itself with "the street and people don't change but maybe the name" Which some people find it amazing exiting or meh.
ReplyDelete2) Is nice that the Christians and Muslim are working together on a common goal.Hopefully they stay like that.
3) The leader made a smart and probably a painful decision (in his case) give up power. other wise thing will get worse and is going to be more historical which means more violence and if anyone realized by now history always talk about the most horrible things like WW2 that many people died.
4)If I was there i would find scary. I would probably run away and go some where else until thing revolution is over
The people were being ruled under a dictatorship for many years and the young Egyptians wanted to stand up for their rights and a fair democracy. when the elections came many found it impossible to win because of all the manipulation that was going on (government). The people were upset because Mubarak didnt want to step down and they revolted. The Egyptians found their inspiration because the Tunisia revolt. The picture represents that unity is a strong force and that if we all put our differences aside we can accomplish HISTORICAL achievements. This event was a perfect example of courage, determination, and strong will. I would feel extremely proud and honored to be part of something like this and I would stand up for my country during a time of need. :)
ReplyDelete#1:Egyptians were upset with Mubarak because he wasn't accomplishing what he promised. Egypt was being treated like a dictatorship for over 30 years. This revolution didnt just happened because Mubarak didnt want to leave, there were a lot of other problems, but Mubarak not wanting to leave was the BOILING POINT FOR EGYPTIANS! Egyptians citizens started to protest after not recieving what Mubarak promised.
ReplyDelete#2: This picture touched my heart. I think its AMAZING how two religions that have always had conflicts can come together for the sake of Egypt and their citizens. WE ALL have to realize that we are in the 21st century and that altough we may have differences, WE NEED TO BECOME ONE!! Just like the Muslims and Christians did. I hope they realize that and continue this way: helping each other. I think they realized that if they didnt work together as one they couldnt have made a change.
#3:"I will complete presidential term"[...] I would have been VERY MAD to hear those words. Knowing that many families have been risking it ALL to try and make a change, people dying and getting hurt, and thats what he has to say???! Altough i'm not Egyptian, i felt an inmenze pride for Egyptians,when i heard that Mubarak was leaving!! To know that they had actually accomplished to overthrow Mubarak. It was amazing to see how their sacrifice and HARD work had paid off. It was a great idea because Mubarak had been way too much time in power. For now the military is taking charge, until another man decides to run for president. If people actually get to vote this time, which is what they want, then its gonna be okay, but then again...presidents, governors, mayors, all lie to get to the top and then forget what they promised. Lets HOPE thats not the case for Egypt.
#4: I would have felt unsecure and very frigthened, especially because of Puerto Rico's 'relationship' with USA. I would have tried to stay in a safe place until it was all over. No, i havent heard of anybody who i know that is curently on Egypt. This affects me because i was HOPING to go to Egypt on April with EfTours, but because of this i couldnt go. In a way i'm happy, because this revolution could had happen when i was in Egypt, and that would have been horrible.
IN CONCLUSION: I think that both Tunisia and Egypt did right because they stood up for their country, their beliefs, their rights, and for the future of their children.
------------------------------------------------ [P.S] I actually went to Tunisia over the summer, i was there for one day, because it was a cruise. But my point, things seemed normal when i went, but maybe it was because i stayed in the 'turistic' side of Tunisia.
1) They were upset because of how they are mistreating the future or us the youth. They closed the voting boots earlier or some never opened. That is the dream of every adolescent, to vote and have a word on the democracy we are supposed to be living in. Egypt was being treated like a dictatorship and the youth wanted to stop it. They knew there was going to be blood sheded, but they did it to have a better future. They were hoping to regain their democracy, but they knew they had to push a little further. But what they wanted was to unseat "president" Mubarak and violence shed all through Cairo. They just were pacifically protesting and they say that they even brought Israeli agents to protect Mubarak. Where are the values of these people?
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2) This picture is heartwarming. It shows we can all work together when we have one common goal. It just warms my heart to know that Christians who have nothing to do with the Muslim are helping them not to be disrupted. It shows compassion solidarity and all emotions we typically should have in our everyday live. This is an example of how the world should behave. Not only in war but always should we protect each other no matter the race nor religion.
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3) Well i think he made the right decision getting his bottom off that chair, because he was going to get in huge trouble. To know that i have successfully changed my government into something we all believe is better would be the world to us. By having our freedom of speech we could revolutionized the world would be a happier place. About the good and bad, i believe only those living the problem could decide this question this isn’t in my hands. But i would say they did well by throwing him off, but now what they will do to get someone to fill in that position and be good to the expectations of all Egyptians.
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4) I would have been not scared but terrified. I would have stayed in a secure police free non attacked place until it all passed, and still wouldn't be sure to go out anymore. Although maybe i would have wanted to go to my home town i may have not gotten the chance to because of the crowded airports. I have heard about some people who weren't able to even go out of their homes because they truly were terrified of getting shot. And they could hear the gunshots at night and find the bullets lying on their front steps. This hasn’t affected me at all though friends of mine like Natalia and Valerie were going to Egypt in spring break, but they got lucky that the revolution didn’t break while they were there.
#1
ReplyDeleteThey were upset because they wanted to vote and have their voices heard to make a change, at last they were old enough but the polls were closed early and some weren’t even allowed to vote. Egyptian citizens were being treated like a dictatorship when in reality the government is supposed to be a democracy. They were hoping for a better democracy, fair, not the one they have which is full of fraud and looks more like a dictatorship. They also wanted more women to be in the parliament. They formed a riot. Groups of people joined to protest for their rights.
#2
I think it’s great! It shows how strong they feel about making a change that they would put their differences aside to work together, which I think it’s very inspiring and many people should follow their example.
#3
I think that it would feel amazing to know that you changed something you didn’t think was right to form something better. You would feel happy and like you actually have a say on what is being done. I can’t predict what will happen in the future or to Egypt’s government and people. But I hope that they get a better government and that they are happy and satisfied with the results of the protest. I think it was a good idea. Because why should you stay with something that doesn’t make you happy and is wrong, you shouldn’t.
#4
I think I would feel scared if I were in Egypt because I wouldn’t know what might happen to me. I think I might’ve protested too if I had to live like that. No, I don’t know or have heard of anyone that was in Egypt recently. It hasn’t affected me really that much, because well I don’t live in Egypt or know anyone there, but still it’s an event that when I’m older I can say that I lived through Egypt’s revolution.
1. The Egyptians were hoping to have a democracy but instead they had a dictatorship for 30 years. They thought it was not fair and wanted Mubarak to step out of the government. They protested because it was not what they wanted. Thousands were detained... and others were not even let to vote!
ReplyDelete2. I think this is a beautiful thing that two religions come together. This is inspiring.. I got goose bumps when I saw the picture!
3. It is amazing how coming together as one can result a huge impact in the government. It was good to know at first that Egyptian protesters were successful in the revolution. I think they will keep protesting to make Mubarak resign for real. I think this was both a good and bad idea. In a good way, the Egyptians were finally doing something to obtain stability after all these years, but it was also bad because many lives were put at risk.
4. Wow, the fact that just by wanting to do what is right and putting many lives at risk is scary. There were so many cruel things done to the protesters. If I were there during this, I would be terrified and would have looked for a save place to go to and try to live as soon as possible. As the journal says, it is not safe for non-Egyptians.
1- The Egyptian revolution started, becuase they wanted a change goverment. They wanted to take their current president Mubarak out of his position, because over his years of leadership they were being treated more as a dictatorship instead of the democracy they were supposed to be. Egyptians were treated harshly, since they couldn't truly express themselves and find jobs good enough. Citizens were hoping for a democratic goverment in which they could vote for their ruler. Unfortunately, this did not happen, because when the time for voting came some were not allowed to vote while in other cases the voting was closed leaving people without the chance to vote. When the peole were not able to get the kind of goverment they wanted they decided to protest to demostrate the corruption that was ongoing in their country and asking for their president to resign to his position.
ReplyDelete2- This picture is very heart warming, because it shows union and solidarity. Eventhough these Egyptian citizens are from different religions they are coming togehther to help each other have a better tomorrow. They know that they have to work togehter and help each other out, so they are putting their differences aside to come together.
3-It would feel great and uplifting to know that as common people we can come together be strong and come out triumphant. It would give a feeling of accomplishment knowing that the goal that was set to achive was reached and the people has come victorious. The people must be proud that they were able to perform a change in their country that will go down in history. I believe that now the citizens of Egypt will elect a new president who has invisioned the ideals of democracy. This will now be a time were new political figures may come to power, since it is a new time for change after being with the same leader for three decades. It is a good thing that their old leader has resigned if he has not been leading in the democracy that is supposed to be established. It si goos that the people have come together for the better of their country, but they must be careful not to lose the unity. Now that they don't have a president they must be united more than ever and make sure that they choose wisely. At times liek this is were equilibrium is lost and tragedies can unfortunately happen, because the original goal can be forgotten.
4-If I was in Egypt during this revolution I would have been scared of the violence that the police was inflicting. I'd be terrified if citizens reacted with equal or greater violence. I would have felt uncertain as an individual of how I would end up. Still I may have felt at least one ounce of coureage seieng how the protesters are coming together and not giving up. If I were there I'd try to keep myself safe from harm, but try to help if I can in anyway. I don't know anyone in Egypt, but friends of mine that were going to a school trip to Egypt can nlt go now, because of these events. As an individual I have not being directly affected by the revolution in Egypt, but learning about the events make me happy to know that the human beings can come together to fight for justice and something greater than themselves.
#1: The youth, along with the rest of the citizens, of Egypt had been denied opportunities for better lifestyle. Mubarak had been cutting off economic opportunities and their rights towards a better government. They were aiming at getting a political environment where their opinions counted for the changes in their countries.
ReplyDelete#2: Usually very different religions have a tough time getting along for the many differences they have. However, it is obvious these two religions overcame their differences against a common problem. In order to get results, they had to become partners and help each other.
#3: I am actually very glad that Mubarak resigned. Egyptians can now hope for a better political environment, because it is not yet sure that the proximate decisions in the government will be what the Egyptians expected or hoped for. All in all, I think if it were me in that situation, I would've done the exact same thing. I would fight for my rights and my country and would let nothing step in my way of gaining what is best for the people.
#4: If I were on the student's situation, knowing myself, I would have tried helping the Egyptians in anyway I could. I know I would try making a difference because they deserved it.
I know about a teacher, Randall Siefker, he was stuck in Cairo during all of this mess and couldn't get out because the embassy had taken away his passport for unknown reasons. He said he was sort of scared because he constantly heard gunshots, screams, and yelling. At night, he barely slept because of the gunshots and in the morning he would find bullet casings on his front door. He said it was a terrible, but at the same time, interesting experience.
Quite life changing, in my opinion.
1.People wanted a better future for Egypt. Mubarak was limiting their freedom and life opportunities. This made people very upset, especially the youth of Egypt. Mubarak was being a dictator and they wanted to overthrow him in order to have the freedom they deserved. When they saw that Mubarak didn’t back down, they started to protest. Sadly, it became violent.
ReplyDelete2. Both groups were willing to set their differences apart and help each other in order to achieve their common goal, which was the opportunity to have a say in the way the government worked. This lets you know how strongly they wanted to fix their broken government system.
3.Though my greatest desire was to accomplish the goal of making Mubarak resign, I would feel scared. It’ll be great to know I just made a change for my country, but what if it turns out to be not what people expected. In these cases you never know what could happen. This only means I’m going to continue to work on creating a better future for my country along with others. I wouldn’t be sure of what going to happen next, but I would have great faith that is going to be a positive change.
4. Being in Egypt surely would have been very scary. Reading the college student say “It is one thing to stand up for yourself, but it is another thing to stand up for a stranger you later will call your brother!” really made me realize that if I’d been there, I would have helped in anyway I could, but I wouldn’t have used violence or destruction. This Egyptian revolution didn’t really affect me directly, but it did affected me in the war that if a revolution like that suddenly occurs in Puerto Rico, I will know what to do and that is to fight for what my country wants and deserves.
*Since Mubarak’s resignation, there hasn’t been any bad event. Hopefully it remains that way and that Egyptians finally obtain what they desire.
The Struggle in Egypt:
ReplyDelete#1 Egyptians began protesting because they have been struggling and suffering for many years because of Mubarak's actions and decisions. They have dealt with this for a long time and have now had the courage to stand up for themselves. The Egyptians especially the youth were angry with Mubarak because he has been giving the government and police more power and few rights for them. They also don't want him to be dictator because since he has had power their economic life has been worse and they have very little freedom. They were also being treated very unfairly, cruel, and there was a lot of corruption so that they couldn't vote. All they wanted was a democratic government where there opinion would be heard, but when this didn't happen things started become more violent.
#2 I think that picture is a beautiful and great example of the humanity, unity and all the good people their is in this world. I think this two completely opposite religions joining together demonstrates that even in tragic and cruel situations good can preserver and we can work together to defeat evil. It also shows that eventhough we are different in some aspects in life at the end of the day we are all humans who care about each other and want to live a peaceful life. It was really amazing how they set differences aside to achieve what they wanted and this shows that in order to make a change in world we need to work together as ONE.
#3 To know that you have actually changed your country for the better would be an amazing, unexplainable feeling of being proud that you have changed people’s life’s, you would also feel super happy, accomplished and would understand that all the hard work was worth it. I really can’t predict what will happen to them now because it all depends on who will be the next governor, but I believe and have hope that everything will turn out good. I think this was a great idea because everyone should stand up for their rights and for what they believe in. Also they have the right to fight to live a happy and peaceful life and not let others choose how their lifes should be. At the end of the day their protest actually was worth it because they achieved what they wanted and brought many people together.
#4 Living during all that caos would have been literally HELL simple as that. I really can’t imagine how people survived all that cruelity, but still had energy to keep fighting. It is really an admirable thing. In my case I would have felt terrified but at the same time angry. I really can’t say what I would’ve done if I were living that because I haven’t experienced what they have, but in all honesty I think I would have probably done the same exact thing. Sadly I don’t know anyone from Egypt, but in my opinion this news about Egypt has really opened my eyes to understand the severity of struggles in other countries. Also it has made me appreciate what I have more and understand that other people have it much worse than we do. This has made me want to try and help in any way possible other countries that are experiencing this.
1. Egyptians are protesting because they have been a dictatorship for many years and they want to make a change for a better Egypt (be a democratic). They are upset because of the bad decisions of Mubarak and because they are being unfair. Mubarak is giving most of the rights to the police and government and a few to them. They want a change because Mubarak does not make what he promised and he is a corrupt government, lot of people could not vote, people economic life is horrible and they have no freedom. They are being treated cruelly and unfairly. Egyptians want a democratic government were they can decide who will be and were they can expressed their opinions but when they see that what hey want is not going to happen they become violent.
ReplyDelete2. This really impressed me because even though they are different religions they come together to fight for what they want and to get a better future. This shows that people have differences but they also have common goals.
3. If you have change or revolutionized your country it would feel proud of youself to know that all that hard work is worth it and happy for being part of all that work also and because you make a better future for many people that will make history. Nobody cant predict what is going to happen with Egypt but I hope that all that hard work that they have been doing is worth it. I would have done the same thing they are doing, stand up for what I want and fight for it, I will want my opinion to be heard.
4. If I was there I will be very scared because there are happening many horrible things and people are very violent. I don't know if i will protest because many protesters had been killed. I don't have heard of anyone.
Hey its PAOLA B.
ReplyDelete1.Egyptian youths were mistreated and harassed by their government and felt that they needed a change, which they were going to get with Mubarak in office with his view of giving the police more power and basically dictating the people of Egypt however he wanted.The people just want to be a democracy and be treated fairly and i guess their only option was to protest.
2.I literlly was awe-strucked by the picture. it shows to me that if we all work together on a certain goal then the rest will fall into place and it kind of makes you realize that of the end of the day, no matter who or what you are we are just humans and everyone has at least one thing in common.
3.If i was a protester i would have been every proud because the worst was over and the better things have yet to come for Egypt. Even they fought and some lives were lost it was done in the name of the freedom and the government that they have desired for and will most likely receive.
4.If i would have been in Egypt at that time I would have probably been petrified but deep down i would have probably go to a protest and hear what the people had to say and help out in any way i could have.
1.They are mad because they have been ruled over the past years by someone they never desired to be a head of their government, and now they are fighting for a change and a new start for many egyptians.
ReplyDelete2.The picture was kind of cool and I think that its good for them to be fighting on the same side because the only way to fight for something is if youre united with as many people you can.
3.If I manage to make a revolution in a country I would be very proud and probably give some credit to the people who died or got injured during the revolution and make them be remembered by the people.
4.If I was living in Egypt right now I would have probably be hiding in my closet or with all the windows closed, and if I got intel of what was going on out in the street I would have helped, but I would have just kept watching.
1)The people of Egypt where protesting because they wanted freedom and good or better future for their country, but the knew they could not achive this with the dictator they had so they started to protest.
ReplyDelete2)I found that the picture expressed how strongly the people wanted a change in goverment , because two different religions where willing to put their differences aside and work together for one commen goal.
3)I would be happy and proud because they got what they wanted and proud because they were able to achive it. I cant say waht will happen now but I hope it is something good. I think this was good because I really think no country or group of people should be controled by a dictator.
4)It would be pretty bad , I think their is nothing worst than seing another human dead beside you. I would have protested because I feel they had the right, it did not really affect me, and I dont now of anyone their.
they were upset because their rights weren't clear and by that i mean that their opinions werent take in consideration.the ex-president was cutting their economic opportunities.imagine that? its difficult.now, since they werent receiving the government they were hoping for they are protesting.....i really enjoy watching this picture. it really tells that the world is changing and that religion too. with just one person changing we do an imrovement but we can see here that there is more than one. christians have nothing to do with muslims but they all agrred to protect the muslims. isn't that beautiful?! and great at the same time. i love this pic.we are changing for good.....if i had revolutionized succesfully the world it would be an awsome feeling. i will feel happy and proud obviouly if it is for a good cause.i seriously don't know what is going to happen no and if it was a good or bad decision but i do know that this government is going to be very unorganized for a long time....wow, i'm sure shisha felt super scared. she actually saw and lived whatwas going oon over there. it is nice that she wrote this because this real facts come from somebody who actually lived this whole mess.i dont know about anybody that is there or has recently visited egypt but i do know that this whole mess would have affected me both physically like emotionally...
ReplyDelete1.The Egyptians began to protest because things in their country began to go down hill cause of their government. They were upset at Mubarak because They couldn't find jobs, can't afford to get married, and have little hope for real change. They were hoping for a better improvement in there life, but when they didn't receive the change they wanted they took matters in there own hands and tried to change it them self.
ReplyDelete2.I think the picture shows that the world is changing and so are a lot of us cause we can put aside our differences to fight for what we believe in.
3.To know that I have successfully changed my country it would be the greatest honor cause I was able to change my country for the best!! Things would change now in my opinion cause if we all do like the Egyptians did we can also change things for the better of our country.
4.it would have been hard for me to be in Egypt at that time i would have been scared.