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Egypt Today..
I just came back from an overdue visit to Egypt, since my last visit, I missed the funerals of three of my brothers. However, when I heard about my nephew’s wedding, I got my passport and ticket ready. Hussein is the twin of Hassan, who was kidnapped from the square during Rabaa’s disburses crackdown in 2013; he has been in prison ever since, Hassan was 17 years old. Hussein’s father died a year ago; Abdraafea would have loved to see his son out of prison and attend Hussein’s wedding. I have been actively campaigning to release my young nephew Hassan for over 10 years, started the Let My Nephew Go petition, calling congressmen and representatives, human rights organizations, and activists to no avail. So, attending Hussein’s wedding was, in a way, a homage to his imprisoned twin brother and his father’s wish.
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FROM TAHRIR WITH LOVE

From Tahrir with Love

Today will mark the 10th anniversary of the Egyptian revolution sparked in Tunisia a few days earlier.  No public place symbolized this revolution like Tahrir Square. Where , 18 glorious days of protest toppled 30 years of dictatorship. Tahrir Square where everyone was welcomed, and everyone felt safe empowered. “We can breathe fresh air, we can feel our freedom,” explained an activist. “After 30 years of absence from the world, Egypt is back.” He added The chanting “Bread, Freedom and Social Justice” filled the Square.

Now the charming Tahrir Square is unrecognizable, became more militaristic and Pharaonic. The grass and trees were replaced by concrete and tar. The elegant fountain, which was the centerpiece of old Tahrir Square now replaced by an ancient obelisk moved from Karnak Temple; they had repainted grand buildings surrounding the Square in yellow khaki. Lots of fancy lights and granite steps randomly everywhere. Security guards roamed around, ignored by driving cars and pedestrians. 

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