CAIRO: As Egyptians made history on Friday, 18 days after the beginning of a popular revolution that shook and astonished the whole world and sometimes even surprised Egyptians themselves, most of whom never thought that they would revolt against an authoritarian regime that ruled with an iron fist for three decades, Egyptians can now talk about a former president for the first time since the military coup ousted King Farouk in 1952. Millions of Egyptians took to the streets on Friday night, but this time it was to celebrate the departure of former President Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down after protests took the country by storm for the past two and a half weeks, leading the country through unprecedented turmoil. It was 6 pm in the Bab el-Louq downtown Area, less than five minutes walk to Tahrir Square, when people started shouting, crying, dashing towards the square; joy was erupting everywhere, people were hugging each other; the sound echoing of national patriotic songs; chanting “we made it”, “Egyptian People said their word” and “God is Great.” The scene was jubilant. Mubarak was gone. Entering the Square itself was difficult due to the massive crowds that had joined the protesters already occupying the square to share the celebrations after they heard the communiqué of former Vice-President Omar Suleiman, where he declared that Mubarak resigned, and gave his powers to the Military Council. Streets were filled with people from all ages and classes, with people dancing, waving the Egyptian Flag, saluting Army officers and soldiers, saying “ the Egyptian People and the Army are one hand.” The scene in Tahrir was historic and never seen before. The astonishing crowd continued chanting, “the Egyptian People overthrew the regime … God is great.” It was hard for people to move freely in the square, which turned into a haven for joy on Friday, with some protesters fainting due to the crowds. “It's over. The nation ended the regime.” “Welcome, welcome in New Egypt. Welcome in new Egypt,” chanted young and old, men, women and children, all waving flags in the square, which truly became the liberation square for Egyptians. Others said: “we want a civil state … not a military one.” Others still were shocked and could not believe the news that Mubarak resigned. Underground music bands began performing and people started to dance in groups. Few were skeptical about the Army's promises of overseeing a transitional government to ensure a civil state after the upcoming free and democratic presidential elections. Jubilant youth were greeting each other, walking down the streets on their way to Tahrir. In other areas, families with their children greeted and hugged the soldiers as their children jumped on the tanks and started dancing. Old women were chanting “Long live the Egyptian Youth.” Tahrir Square witnessed some of its most animated moments since the protests first started on January 25, with people were united once more, forgetting their differences. Copts joined Muslims for prayers to commemorate the memories of the martyrs of the revolution, organization and discipline were witnessed by the protesters who tried to keep the square clean, the protection committees formed to search those who wanted to join the protests in order to ensure they were unarmed or not from the police, especially after thugs hired by the regime attacked the protesters throughout the 18 days of protests. In the center of the square, fireworks were set off as crowds sang the national anthem. “Raise your head, you're Egyptian!” people chanted. The revolution came, Mubarak went and the whole world saw. BM
