Egypt: journalists attacked by security services

7 Feb 2012 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

Two journalists were shot by security services, and another detained whilst covering the political unrest in Egypt over the weekend. Mahmoud al-Ghazali, Nile TV correspondent, was shot with pellets early on Saturday morning, whilst reporting on clashes between protesters and security forces. Al-Ghazali was shot in the eye, causing extensive damage. Online journalist Salma Said was shot around 1am on Monday by security forces while she filmed clashes in central Cairo. The journalist was hit in the face, legs and stomach. Mohamed Rabee from independent newspaper Al-Badil was forcibly detained by plain clothed officers yesterday, as he dictated a news story to his colleague via mobile phone.

Why I returned to Tahrir Square

27 Jan 2012 | Egypt, Uncategorized

My name is Ihsaan Azab. I’m 20 years old, and I was born in America. I lived half my life there and the other half in Egypt. I grew up in free country and knew how it felt to express myself. I moved to Egypt 10 years ago, but I still didn’t realise the burdens of daily life for Egyptian people lived in until 25 January last year.

Participating in protests on 25 Jan last year was an indescribable feeling. I was out with millions of people chanting the same demands. We insisted on our demands and achieved our goal — bringing down Mubarak’s oppressive government.

A year has now passed, and on 25 January this year, the same people who protested last year were out to say that they still have demands and will continue with the revolution. Others were there to celebrate its first anniversary. I was there again because I believe we still have more goals to be achieved, and as I chanted with the crowd, “down with the Military Council!” I was proud, more than ever, of being Egyptian.