Should President Hosni Mubarak resign? It is a question that is polarising families as well as the public, writes Shaden Shehab No one can deny that Egyptians experienced feelings of joy following the uprising on 25 January -- except, of course, for those in leading state positions. Young Egyptians have embarrassed older generations with their solidarity, courage and steadfastness, and many families and friends agree, more or less, with the message painted on the largest banner in Tahrir Square -- "The people want the downfall of the regime". That determination was reinforced on 28 January, the "Day of Anger", when peaceful demonstrators were attacked by hired mobs, run down by vehicles, beaten by batons, and killed by gun firing snipers. Then came the disappearance of the police and the opening of the prisons. As an estimated 7,000 convicts moved into the city Cairenes were left in fear. As chaos prevailed, the strategy became obvious: the public was being placed in the invidious position of choosing between security and revolution. It was a tactic that backfired dramatically, leaving the public angrier than ever. And Mubarak's announcement of a new government and a new vice president came too late to appease the crowds. On Tuesday 1 February, the number of demonstrators in Tahrir Square swelled. Rumours that Mubarak was going to resign were rife. And as soon as state TV announced he would deliver a speech, Egyptians were stuck to their TV screens in anticipation. At around 10:30pm Mubarak gave his 10-minute speech. "I did not intend to nominate myself for a new presidential term. I have spent enough years of my life in the service of Egypt and its people. "Hosni Mubarak who speaks to you today is proud of the long years he spent in the service of Egypt and its people. This dear nation is my country, it is the country of all Egyptians, here I have lived and fought for its sake and I defended its land, its sovereignty and interests and on this land I will die and history will judge me and others for our merits and faults." In an aside to those demanding he leave he said: "I will work in the remaining months of my term to take the steps to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. It was the cue for arguments between those, often members of the same family, who took the president's words to heart, and others who supported the protesters demands. Mubarak's concessions singularly failed to disperse protesters, who insisted they would not end their uprising. "Go, go, go!" they chanted. "We are not leaving until he leaves." The ensuing debate has in some case broken longstanding friendships and stirred fights between families living under the same roof. On Facebook "unfriend" me is becoming the norm. "If you support Mubarak you are a traitor," Somaya Zohni told her friend. "I don't support Mubarak, but I don't think we should insult the man. We should not make fun of him, if only out of consideration for his age," said Shahira Mohamed. "He is the one who clung to power until he was 82. He is the one who refused reform and tolerated brutality, corruption and the rigging of elections," yelled Zohni. "He needs to stay to fulfil the concessions he has made such as amending the constitution," was Hisham Lotfi's argument. "He has appointed a vice president and changed the government, shaken up the National Democratic Party, referred former ministers to investigations." "It is too late. We waited 30 years. He only took these decisions because he was forced to. The more people protest the more he gives in," countered Rasha Mahmoud. "We should have a fresh start. Nothing from him and his allies, such as [Vice President] Omar Suleiman and [Prime Minister ] Ahmed Shafik can be trusted," she added. For Mona El-Sukkari, the crisis revealed the true personality of her husband. "How can you think that way?" she asked. "You are completely brainwashed by state TV. You oppose a revolution that will give you freedom and democracy. That can only mean you prefer dictatorship and oppression." "I am not just supporting Mubarak. I am against chaos dictated by Hizbullah, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood," her husband screamed back. At which point his wife opted to leave for her mother's. Many low-income people among the tens of thousands calling for the end of the regime now want their lives back. That is something that requires at the very least a semblance of normality. "It is hard figuring out how I will feed my family in the coming days," said Mohamed Sayed, a taxi driver. "Mubarak has been beaten already, let's tolerate him for the coming months until we elect another president. We have waited 30 years. What are a few more months?" But for Sherine Raafat a few more months is an impossible demand. "Mubarak and his team are just playing for time. Once Tahrir Square is emptied they will renege on their promises."
