Tweetand sometimes they come on horseback Welcome to post revolution Egypt the wonderland of “Baltagiya”. The word Baltagiya (thugs/mercenaries) comes from the Turkish Balta (axe) followed by the regional postfix “-jia” or “-gia” , means axe-wielders. And that what they do, they axe and disrupt social activities for higher. They don’t have a political views or platform, they are anti views of any sorts, and their platform is always the street. Something like the Tea party here, they are not for anything, but against everything. Baltagiya have long been used by members of Egypt’s ruling party since the Turkish ruler in Egypt, but especially during Mubarak 30 years of dictatorship, there…
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BACK TO THE SQUARE (AL MIDAN) الميدان
Tweet Al Midan (The Square) Jan. 25 will mark the 11th anniversary of the Egyptian revolution, where for the first time in history, millions of Egyptians marched into the streets to claim their country back. No public place symbolized this revolution like Tahrir Square, which most Egyptians know as “Al Midan”. Sitting in my living room in Minnetonka, MN 11 years ago glowed to TV Aljazeera Arabic, where the revolution was televised. 18 glorious days of protest that toppled 30 years of dictatorship. Al Midan has been the traditional gathering place for Egyptians with a grievance; it inspired the world even Occupied Wall Street Movement in America.. A few months…
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AN OPEN LETTER TO EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE US
Tweet An Open Letter to Egyptian Ambassador to the United States, Dear Ambassador Motaz Zahran As we all are celebrating the holiday season and the new year. This is the 9th year for my 26-year-old nephew, Hassan, to celebrate another new year in prison in Egypt for a crime he didn’t commit. Nine years away from his family, university friends, and life, and particularly away from his father, my brother, who got a stroke a few years ago. My nephew, Hassan, was a sweet, fun-loving 17-year-old boy, who loves traveling, music, reading, and camping. I remember Hassan as a gentle and kind kid when I visited Egypt. He always came…
