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 after the Jan25th revolution, I visited Egypt, and the first place I wanted to see was Al Midan. I had been there once during the student’s protest of 1972 that forced president Sadat to move on to his promise to liberate Siena from the Zionist occupation.! I was too young to realize the significance of the Al-Midan. After 30 years away from Egypt, I wanted to go back and witness what millions have seen. At the Airport I told the Taxi driver to take me Al Midan, it was three in the morning.. Egyptians, when you ask them for direction, they give you an opinion.
