LAS VEGAS, NV: In the days leading up to the revolution in Egypt, Shaban Kaboud purchased a death shroud in anticipation of the January 25 demonstration. “I am not a young man, but I would go,” he said. He wanted more than anything to fly to Egypt last Thursday in order to unite with his people. He said upon arriving he would walk from the airport to Mubarak's palace, hold up the white cloth and say, “If my blood is enough for you, then take it.” The 59-year-old man is overcome with emotion and speaks with the same fervor media networks love to shoot on the streets of Egypt. However, Kaboud is not in Suez or downtown Cairo, but on Las Vegas Boulevard, 7000 miles away from his countrymen. Egyptian Americans, nationals and friends joined in downtown Las Vegas across from the future Mob History Museum, outside the federal courthouse. Waving Egyptian and American flags, the group of all ages shouted chants demanding Mubarak's resignation, believing Mubarak could hear every voice. They shared homemade signs. A homeless man passed them by, indifferent to the 70 people in his path, while they told the world to pay attention and support the people of Egypt. The rally lasted three hours on a non-crowded section of the “Strip” usually reserved for demonstrations. Many spectators slowed, curious about the congregation. Some honked and shouted in support of the group. Fifteen men began praying together, led by an imam. The juxtaposition was intense and a far contrast from the status quo around these parts. A spiritual mood took root and the individual identities of seemed to fade as being Egyptian became their proudest and universal trait; the event brought people together and renewed their pride in their environment. Mother Egypt was all that mattered. All had different connections to Egypt, whether they were Egyptian-American youth, political exiles or engineering PhD students living as international students. Moods were excited and worried, anxious to be next to their families and friends throughout Egypt. They wanted the Egyptians to feel their encouragement, as did the other rallies held around the world by the Egyptian diaspora. When asked where the voices were in support of Mubarak, Fatma Alazab said none existed: “Maybe years ago but not now. Everyone had enough.” Ahmad Fayed, Fatma's husband, is an engineering student. A leader of the group, Fayed led the cries in revolt, connecting his community into the pumping Egyptian heart. He was unimpressed with attempts by agent provocateurs to perform as generic deviant Egyptian youth ransacking antiquities. “We would never do that, we love our country, and we love our history!” he said. He scoffed at old tricks and the maneuvers of the new Prime Minister and Vice President. “Not good enough. Nothing is good enough but his absence,” Fayed said, confident in the Pharaoh's inevitable fall. “Transition, and then we all decide who has power.” Governance not governments is what they implore. Four college students stood on top of a public seating structure. Samantha, Sarah, Suzanne and Jessica are all American born but Egyptian raised. They were excited for their parents, who came to the United States due to political strife in Egypt over the last thirty years. When asked if they thought there would be another diaspora out of Egypt because of this, they said they hoped not. The young women want Egyptians to stay and make the country better. Being outside the country, they felt it was their responsibility to let the world know Egypt's worth and message. They agreed that the media exposure is a much-needed change from the Islamophobic rhetoric that has grown and embedded in the psyches of many fellow Americans. The women see the current coverage as a rare opportunity for the world to see the true spirit of their heritage instead of trumped up sensationalism. Egyptian Mona Eltahawy demanded on CNN that accurate words to be used when describing the situation such as “revolt, uprising and revolution” instead of “chaos, unrest and looting.” That same rhetoric is on the lips of supporters as they cheer on the underdog and connect with the people on a different level. Al-Jazeera has won the popularity contest and the attention of many who are cheering on Egypt through TV or the Internet. Supporters aren't afraid to admit that they put their daily lives on hold to tune in. Whether school, finances or responsibilities are keeping them in Las Vegas, they have embraced the technology that unites them across all generations. Egypt has seen intermittent breaks in communications over the past week, and this group is one of many around the globe ensuring Egypt's voice is heard and answered. Egyptians in the diaspora consider developing awareness to be their responsibility, although most wish to be in their homeland. The passion in everyone reminds the poet Kaboud of his experience as a victorious military member in the 1973 war against Israel. He feels that same spirit in the supporters and evidence of his longing to be back home. “If I was there, I would make sure everyone was in the streets,” he said. Outside that sphere was the rest of Las Vegas. Across the street were two patrol cars. Asked about how they thought the event went, one officer just said, “it's been real good. Real nice.” But overall they seemed puzzled by the commotion.
