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Subscribe to RSSTwo years after nationwide protests forced President Hosni Mubarak from office, NBC News catches up with Omar Sedky who explains why his country's revolution hasn't met the expectations of many Egyptians.
CAIRO, Egypt -- Two years ago, chants of "Irhal! Irhal! (Leave!, Leave!)" resonated through Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of Egypt's fledgling revolution.
Longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak listened. And on Feb. 11, 2011, thousands of joyful Egyptians poured onto the streets to cheer his resignation in anticipation of an exciting future.
Newly liberated Egypt must work hard to “make magic happen,” protester Omar Sedky told NBC News just hours after Mubarak's downfall.
The usually mild-mannered businessman is still shouting today.
“The revolution is still going,” Sedky said when NBC News caught up with him in front of the presidential palace ahead of Monday’s two-year anniversary of Mubarak’s downfall.
NBC's Ron Allen reconnects with protester Omar Sedky and his family, who, despite their euphoria, remain focused on the task at hand: rebuilding their nation.
Since the heady days in the immediate aftermath of Mubarak's fall, political division has dimmed much of the optimism, but there is still the sense of a work in progress.
“I’m not disappointed,” said the 33-year-old digital media worker. “There are ups and downs…but each time I get disappointed I stick to what I believe in.”
So what has changed?
“At least I can write blogs, I can Tweet without the fear of having the state police running after me,” Sedky said.
But with greater political freedom has come a degree of instability. Elections last year ended in a narrow victory for Islamist Mohammed Morsi over a former general, and tensions remain between Islamists and secular rivals.
There are concerns that hardline Islamists are taking over Morsi's government, and many Egyptians don't want to live under the strict rule that Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood party might impose.
Despite the end of the military state, Egypt’s police were last month accused of a return to Mubarak-era abuses after a video showed riot police stripping and beating a middle-aged man.
And a series of missteps by Morsi -- including a bid to grab sweeping powers even before the dust had settled on the country’s constitution -- have brought protesters back onto the streets.
Some of them -- including Sedky -- were among those originally demonstrating in the run-up Mubarak’s downfall.
"Freedom is about what you want and being heard and being assessed, and this is not shown from this government,” he said. “So, it’s like a time bomb… it’s going to explode.”
The number of protesters is smaller than two years ago, but it is the level of violence which has many people here worried -- more than 60 people died in January alone in clashes across the country.
Related pictures: Tempers flare in Egypt
The turmoil has kept foreign investors at bay, leaving the economy in a tailspin, while ordinary Egyptians fear for their safety on the streets.
Sedky said the country’s instability would end “when we have a proper constitution, when we have a parliament that reflects the actual Egyptians, not just the wing that [Islamists] represent.”
Crowds in Tahrir Square erupted in jubilant cheers on Friday after Vice President Suleiman, appearing briefly on Egypt state TV, announced that President Mubarak has stepped down from presidency. NBC's Brian Williams, Richard Engel and Ron Allen report.
“We're going to celebrate when I find this government empowers women, when I see that police are not attacking civilians due to political pressure. This is when I celebrate but until then, I will be marching on the streets. I will be protesting until this happens."
It’s a distinctly less optimistic tone than the one he struck right after Mubarak fled from power.
Back then, NBC News shared tea and cakes with him at his home in Cairo with his family including father Hussein, mother Moushira and younger brother, Tarek.
All were savoring the new political dawn that millions of Egyptians had long awaited.
But even then, Sedky had acknowledged the enormity of Egypt’s task ahead: “We don't have a magic wand -- we have to work hard to make magic happen to real life,” he said then.
These days Sedky is a member of the Positive Movement, a secular and liberal non-governmental organization founded soon after the revolution, which encourages Egyptians to become more engaged in their country’s political transition. But while the last two years of turmoil and disappointment have dampened his euphoria, he holds on to hope.
“I have faith that we’re going to build this country properly again," he said.
Within minutes of speaking with Sedky, a previously peaceful protest turned ugly. Some protesters threw Molotov cocktails at the presidential palace, which was met with teargas and water canons from the police. The grounds of the palace were set alight. At least one protester was shot and killed.
Another long night began for what many like Sedky call their "unfinished revolution."
Ahmed Youssef / EPA
Eighteen days of popular protest culminated in the downfall of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11, 2011.
Related:
Analysis: Egypt violence is rooted in the economy, not just politics
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So why is Obama helping to instill the muslim brotherhood?
Oh, that's right, he doesn't care what the people want...dictators rule!
Lets see Obama wants Egypt to have tanks and planes? Obama refused to allow Poland to have defense weapons? Good day Liberals.
Good Morning Fed!!!
just last week , obama made a speech saying we must keep mass assault weapons out of the hands of bad people , he uses the school masacre for his agenda , yet hes sending military jets & tanks to egypts muslim brotherhood , that shows who he thinks the bad ppl are , ppl that would defend OUR constitution & it also shows who he will support , his actions speak louder than any words i can put to page here , so liberals , dont attack the messenger , plz , just the message.
"The number of protesters is smaller than two years ago, but it is the level of violence which has many people here worried -- more than 60 people died in January alone in clashes across the country."
Mubarak was tried and convicted and imprisoned because some protestors died.
By that standard, Morsi is also guilty of the same crimes.
Sorry Omar, wake up and smell the Hummus, the revolution is over. The liberal Facebook generation opened the door for the Muslim Brotherhood and they have closed it in the liberals face.
Morsi is just a puppet for the Brotherhood, a very clever, strategic political organization that not only stole Egypt, but will eventually steal Tunisia, Libya, Syria and other countries, and may very well align with Iran. Some may say Shi'ites and Sunnis? No way. But Iran and other Muslim Brotherhood both support Hamas, their surrogate terrorist group. Hezbollah is an Iranian Shi'ite terrorist group, but they will act for the new Muslim Brotherhood as well. Assad will be removed for a Muslim Brotherhood franchise and he will open his medical practice in Tehran.
This is all based upon the US being complicit in the Middle East, pulling military assets, and sending weaponry to Egypt. Israel stands as the only local deterrent. They are scrambling to prevent this.
This is my opinion.
Right now the US is sending millions of dollars to Egypt in the hopes it will allow their economy to stabilize, but it has already been discovered that monies sent to them are being used to not only fund arms against protesters, but also going to Hamas in Palestine and even as far as supporting rebels in Mali and Libya. It is time for the US to stop all funding to this country, but it seems the President still insist on sending funds by the millions. Just last month, our government sent them 20 F-16 fighters to be used in " stabilization" of their country, but when will our government finally see that all we do in these matters, is fund the Muslim extremist that use those weapons later against American and Christian groups?
I fully agree with you.
With Islamists ruling, no one including oil rich Sunni rulers and sheikhs are going to invest!
"Elections last year ended in a narrow victory for Islamist Mohammed Morsi over a former general, and tensions remain between Islamists and secular rivals."
Islamists, especially Sunni ones of Saudi Salaffi and Wahhabi versions, rule is going to be disastrous for sane Muslims, females, minority sect/tribe Muslims and Christians and other religious minorities.
All should join hands forgetting minor differences and kick out each and everyone of Islamist from his/her position.
Army should be sensible to imprison, try and execute the Islamists to save Egypt from hating and killing Islamic rules!
These Saudi version Islamists are fit for seventh century desert days and not for 21st century!
JJ101
I agree with your post but a slight correction... Obama has sent them in addition to the Aircraft, 200 Tanks and the Money is 1.5 BILLION.
Times-Running-Out: These politicians including Obama have plenty of money for Eygpt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syrian rebels and name the nation.
For arming and wars as directed by oil rich Sunni rulers, oil companies and their lobbyists, they is never shortage of money/funds.
They don't have money for huge unemployed, old and sickly, veterans, and those in need right in the US!
Let me get this right? Obama believes the rich need to pay more taxes after taxing everyone as part of the fiscal cliff deal. All the while giving the Moosline Brohood money & weapons so they can kill young children (5 & 6 yrs. olds) & their parents? Here in the USA Obama wants to abolish the 2nd amendment using the tragedy at Sandy Hook? Let's keep the aircraft & tanks & send them the Obamas......
If the US wants other countries to have weapons then those countries should make them or buy them from the Chinese it"s cheaper. Egypt is on its own with their new taliban freedoms. P.S. We could raise the money for them by selling Iran some nukes.
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Sorry Sedky but no leader wants to moderste their policies, only make more of them. And all leaders want more power, and even the most democratic leader may choose to take power or refuse to give it up. Sorry guy but your country is on the way to a theocratic dictatorship and Morisi appears to have enough followers to enforce it.
No.
Mubarak used to win with more 90 percent of votes. He was overthrown.
These Sunni Muslim Bloodhounds and their Salaffi have hardly 65 percent of votes.
"Another long night began for what many like Sedky call their "unfinished revolution.""
I am highly optimistic that if Mubarak could the overthrown, seventh Sunni Islamic MB and Salaffi and their front cover Morsi will be thrown out in a more bloody fashion sooner.
It is brave Egyptians, like Sedky, who are this nation's hope for a better future.As long as they are willing to fight for a representative government, where women have a voice, and all other people equally have a share in how things are run, there is a chance things may work out. But it won't be easy, nor safe.Many I fear, will yet die. Who knows how ugly it will get and I worry for the children, and other innocent folks.
Otherwise, if people like him give up, then truly Egypt's fight for a new democracy is finished, nothing will have changed for the better. The lives lost, in the hope progress will have been made, will have been for nothing. Then every ones life is worse off.Especially women and Christians.For the religious Islamist Brotherhood will be in charge.
Egypt.....your Nile will soon run dry.
I have a high regard and a great deal of respect for what the Egyptian people have accomplished in terms of taking their country back from a dictator like Mubarek. However, what could they possibly be thinking when they allowed their country to be highjacked by the Muslim Brotherhood? Surely, none of Morsi's actions should be a surprise to them. So, they didn't get it right and now they have to do it again. This time may be even more difficult that the first time. The world is watching. We wish you well and hope you have the staying power. And, we also hope you get it right the second time around.
They (the secularist) just were not organized, it happened so fast. And the MB had an organization in place which was easily mobilized to take advantage of the situation.
Time has come to declare Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, fountainheads of all problems due to Islamic extremism as terrorist nations.
In Egypt, the Sunni extremists with labels like Salaffi and MB (Muslim Bloodhounds) are opening up new chapters of Islamic bigotry. Morsi is just a front for them.
Just watch the fate of sane Muslims, minority sect/tribe people, Christians, women and Israel as the time goes by.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially House of Saud and other Sunni ME rulers inspired and funded Sunni Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB, Taliban and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days.
They are indulging in rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria and spreading like wild fire in many regions and Muslims (Libya, Yemen, Mali, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places).
Even in Syria, if Assad is overthrown by Sunni Islamic religious Nazis like al-Qaida, MB, the conditions of Christians will be unbearable just like Iraq.
Pakis and Sunni rulers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and other Sunni Arab League nations are responsible for 80 percent of world problems including economic ones.
Examine the devastations with Iraqi wars and now sanctions on Iranian oil and the resultant oil price manipulations.
They are making the lives of their own people also miserable by their Islamic religious madness to the intolerable levels.
Jonathan-1982062
And Obama and crew are supporting the MB.... Go Figure
Times-Running-Out: As I posted in another place, most of the US, British, French, German and influential politicians and people are in the pockets of oil rich Sunni rulers, oil companies and their lobbyists.
I can't figure out why there are sanctions on Iranian oil and prices are manipulated from $40 in 2009 to more than $110 now.
All current fake inventions on Iran are similar to those of pre-Iraqi wars!
In case of Iran, Iran can get nukes from Pakis.
As a matter of fact, Pakis sold nuclear technology to Iran, N. Korea and Libya's Gadhaffi.
Hillary, our possible next President, is certainly on the payroll of Jewish lobby and oil rich Sunni rulers and co.
Obama is also acting in a similar manner!
ACTIONS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WORDS!
Sorry Sedky, we have our own wantabe Dicktator problem here with Obama....
when egypt people decide that they have had enough of these would be dictators grabbing power and actually impose a person who is for freedom for the people and not greed and power for himself, then egypt will have solved their power struggle.
Do not elect a religions nut ball again, try electing someone who has their head and butt wired together, not someone who only wants to rule by power and force.
Get it together people of egypt, and join the rest of the free world.
Jim, we don't even have anybody like that in our own government so what makes you think the pathetic Egyptians will have one that comes out of the blue?
Sounds like history is repeating itself:
Be careful what you wish for in an uprising because it maybe worse than what you had for a leader. Same thing is true in the USA.
Muslim Brotherhood as radical as the Taliban.
“It is the nature of Islam to dominate, not to be dominated, to impose its law on all nations and to extend its power to the entire planet.” Therefore, the Muslim Brotherhood opposes secular tendencies of Islamic nations and wants a return to the precepts of the Qur'an. The Brotherhood firmly rejects all notions of Western influences in addition to rejecting extreme Sufism as well. Brotherhood members organize events from prayer meetings to sport clubs for socializing.
The organization's motto: “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.”
I thought the great Media said Obama fixed Egypt? No matter just send them planes and tanks. Good day liberals.
The islamic brotherhood has no use for western freedoms. All of life will be guided by the koran. They will wait until things settle down and then it will be goodbye to all freedoms.
The Muslim Brotherhood thought they had this all sewn up! Islamic Parliament: check..... Islamic President: check..... Islam Constitution: check. What's not to like? Now you can legally beat your wife, even mutilate her genitals! You can persecute any non-muslim, even kill them! What's with all these dissenters? Don't they enjoy an Islamic Paradise?
Go to You Tube and listen to Walid Shoebat, an ex hamas muslim. He explains what is happening and has been happening in the middle east and what is going to happen in the middle east soon.
The nation of Egypt is a poverty striken hell hole. These are usually the circumstances that bring tyrants such as Hitler to power. One can only hope these maniacs will be driven from power. Why Obama is sending them F16 aircraft and state of the art tanks is purely beyond me.
Why would obama be sending high tech aircraft and tanks to morsi? From what I read Egypt is very unstable right now and those planes and tanks could end up in anybodys hands. Rather the planes and tanks end up in unknown hands or they remain with morsi, they will be used one of these days to kill our troops possibly and will most defintely be used against Israel, is this how obama treats our allies?
Why do all of you people never think outside of the box? I for one don't really agree with the President's course of action just like how I was against the Iraq war because I knew about Iran and their influence. However all of you ask the question why would he order military hardware to a nation that is not an enemy or and ally? It is a test to see if they are going to be an ally or an enemy people! By the way Egypt has always been granted F-16s and F-15s by the U.S. even under Mubarak so shut up about our military deals okay. Secondly they are not state of art tanks and anyone who is saying so are just trying to put fear in ignorant American followers. The tanks are about the same as what we give Israel and Saudi Arabia so shut up. Our Abrams will never be one the sell list to any country not even our best allies and it is the master of the battle field. Whatever anyone throws at us we can destroy them in the blink of an eye. IF anything and the tanks and jets are used in this new revolution guess what that makes the MB regime even worse than Mubarak as he didn't even come close to killing as many civilians as of died already and the Egyptians haven't even called this uprising a crisis yet.
If the U.S.A. has to go in in help these ME countries, what are we paying the U.N. for? If we don't care that the MB is running the show in Egypt, why send them money, give it to the U.N.? If we want to see Egyptians have human, civil rights don't give our money to the U.N. because they are very happy with beheadings and torture of women and children and the strong arm of Islam.Nothing in the U.N. should be funded or tolerated by any western country.
I'm not thrilled about MB running Egypt, but the people elected them, a dictator elects himself. There isn't any beheadings and I haven't heard of MB, nor torturing women and children in Egypt, now if you said that Assad is torturing children, I would agreed, hundreds of children (that wasn't burned to death in torture chambers) have come forward to proclaim that fact. If the people of Egypt doesn't like the way that MB is running the country, they now have the freedom to elect the leader of "their" choosing and dump Morsi at the ballot box.
PS. the transition to win full freedom for all people in Egypt won't happen over night, it takes time, sometimes, a very long time.
John current news from Aljazeera, I guess this doesn't count
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/middleeast/2013/02/20132623514913956.html
Just my opinion we swap one dictator for another. Please don't misconstrue my comments as this is just my own personal opiniion for what it is worth. We pump billions of dollars into a country and this is how it turns out. Yankee go home but leave your money.
I can't believe you people at NBC are so supportive of the Muslem Brotherhood, ENEMIES of the United States. I guess you'll continue to kiss the ass of our muslem President.
freddy, you sound racist and ihave nsulted a much better president than our previous president who drove our country into a near great depression and failed to hunt down bin laden. Now we have a president that is getting us back on the right economic track and has hunted down bin laden and fed him to the sharks.
Calling our president a "muslem president" (actually is Muslim) is a lie to spread your hate, it is a lie b/c President Obama is of "Christian faith" making yourself look racist and a bigot, spreading your hate and lies about our good decent president on this page.
john , i know of no christian that espouses abortive rights , gay marriage , supporting islamic extremists , anyone can call themselves a christian , in fact , hitler did same thing , scripture says , you will know them by their fruits.
John, I'm so glad you'll be burning in hell with Hitler - you both can spew your dogma for eternity.
Hi, my name is freddy and I'm from the United Hates.
you wonder why Obama was in a hurry to get the f16 and m1 tanks in a hurry to them. He can not have the mb get overthrown as it would look bad after spending so much of our money on them. Obama would be pretty red faced if in less than two years they are ousted out of egypt
Well, HELLO Omar, nice to meet ya! Now you turn right around and go put on one of those fashionable and cute vest that goes BOOM BOOM - that is the way for barbaric, backwards, 17th century neanderthals to work out their problems.
If Egypt is to be free then the people must reject Obama's influence and the Islamics way of living. They must throw out Islamist Mohammed Morsi for Morsi is worse then Hosni Mubarak.
The Egyptians have cut their own throat, they will become part of the Gigantic Islamic Caliphate funded by Iran and the Saudis. Israel has been thrown to the wolves and will have to stack'em and rack'em again. This time I hope the Israelis subjugate them and get rid of this extremist Islamic Nonsense, The Middle East is a Sh!thole and OBama keeps dumping money and lives on the people who kill Americans in a Blink. No More American Lives or Money, if it Festers Too Badly, Nuke'em !!!!