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Got out of Egypt just in time.

Growing up I remember the sights, sounds, and smells of Egypt well, and always enjoy my time there. Sure the streets are dirty, there are a lot of poor, and there are more mosques than people but there is something cozy about Cairo that always makes me feel at home. The culture is all about food, avoiding work and responsibility, and sleeping in very late. Nothing there is convenient or legitimate, as everyone avoids responsibility and everyone takes a bribe. Despite it's third world tendencies it was folksy and charming and I loved it. I just came back a couple weeks ago, for what I fear will be my last visit in a long time. If the Muslim brotherhood (Republican Muslims) take over I am fairly certain the country will fall under strict Islamic rule. Terrorist activities against foreigners will increase, women will be forced to cover, and alcohol will become illegal. I remember living there a few years ago and hearing about crackpot schemes the Muslim brotherhood were trying to hatch against non-Muslims. At one point they had planned to put HIV infected needles on the seats of movie theaters because "Movies were haram (against Islam)". These are the caliber of people that are probably going to take over my beloved country and triumphantly send it back to the bronze age. I miss Egypt already.

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Comment by Prog Rock Girl on February 10, 2011 at 8:45pm: I can't imagine what it is like to not be able to go back to a childhood home. Hoping that does not happen. Revolution against one corrupt government sometimes only results in replacement by another style of corruption/oppression.

Comment by Yusuf Said on January 31, 2011 at 9:59pm: Thank you everyone for your kind comments.

Cliff, these riots were caused by the crooked government, poor wages, and unfair treatment. However, the only thing keeping the Islamic fundies in check was the National Democratic party run by President Mubarak. He was not great for the country's economy but he was good at keeping the crazies in check. A long time ago Egypt declared martial law which curtailed a lot of civil liberties which was unfortunate for the majority but necessary for law and order. Now that Mubarak is on his way out there won't be anything stopping the Muslim brotherhood from seizing power and changing Egypt into a strict Islamic country as they have always wanted.

Comment by Volly on January 31, 2011 at 9:21pm: I hope you get to go home again to a country that has found balance. And I wish safety and good outcomes to any friends or family you have there.

Comment by Sentient Biped on January 31, 2011 at 8:58pm: Glad you got out. It's depressing to see even a nondemocratic country go fundamentalist, with religious mob rule counting as "democracy". I fear Turkey heading that way too. And Iraq which had some "help" going "democratic".

Sad for you to have to look back on all that. I hope you find some sense of community and home wherever you go.

Comment by Steve on January 31, 2011 at 8:22pm: I am sad for you my friend. No one should be deprived of the joy of their homeland because of narrow minded religious zealots. This whole thing looks a lot like the Iranian revolution of 1979.

We all know how that turned out. Very unfortunate. For now it looks like there is no organized disciplined secular alternative. Again I say very unfortunate indeed.