As much as the Egyptian revolution surprised many people all over the world, it also surprised the Egyptians themselves when it brought up all the hidden beauty they never knew existed. Whether they are supporting or rejecting, no doubt the revolution has greatly influenced the Egyptians' value system and their way of thinking. In Tahrir Square, there was the most beautiful mosaic you'll ever see of a nation with every socioeconomic level, religion, ideology, age group and gender represented. It was like a beautiful painting without a painter, or an influential concert. It was the morning breeze Egyptians longed for; it's their journey towards freedom and dignity and along the way they discovered they still have manners and values they thought had vanished. National Unity After a number of incidents were interpreted as sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians in Egypt, the revolution came to prove exactly the opposite. During the 18 days of the revolution no single incident was reported. It might have been the first time in years where Muslims and Christians truly and sincerely held hands aiming for a better future for, declaring together that they had never been a part of sectarian congestion or violence. As a Muslim, I had the pleasure to attend religious songs and supplications of Christians in the square. I was amazed by the scene of Muslims singing with their fellow Christians a religious song to bless Egypt, and they both went praying for their country where their “Amen” was integrated in the complete the picture of a free country and free souls. Tolerance As tolerance has been the new approach for people with different beliefs, it has also been the only way to deal with other ideologies and convictions in the square. It is now a fact that Muslim Brotherhood members, secular groups, and people with no political affiliations had all put their conceptions and powers to do whatever would help the revolution, putting their differences aside and focusing on what they had in common. Cleanliness and organization Many people all over the globe watched surprised as Egyptians cleaned the square after the fall of the regime, and how many people had come especially for this purpose, even if they didn't participate in the protests. For the protesters it wasn't a surprise, they were used to dividing themselves between different committees, one of them responsible for cleaning and decorating the square. It was amazing how those young people organized themselves and how quickly they figured out they need much more than interesting chants. Decency As you might know, sexual harassment has been on the rise in Egypt, but it was not the case for protesters. Throughout the revolution, not a single case of harassment had been reported. I saw people who used to chant encouraging the people to continue their struggle. They also chanted to remind demonstrators to defend every woman who decided to defend her country. This was obvious by women walking freely and even sleeping in the square. Altruism Although almost 40 percent of Egyptian population live under poverty line, there was a surprising spirit of altruism. I was very proud of Egyptians who were obviously poor and have limited amounts of food, and they insisted to give part of it to people they didn't know. Even in the most critical moments, people shared vinegar, onions and carbonated cans to counteract the tear gas. Also, residents of nearby apartments opened their flats to host people they'd never met; they only knew they would be otherwise arrested. Courage This might be the most prominent attitude in this revolution, how Egyptians who feared just talking politics, were offering their blood in change for their freedom and dignity. Exactly like fairy tales, people attacked by camels, horses, sticks, big stones and guns at a time they had nothing at all. They not only survived the attacks and completed their protests, but also caught some of the attackers. Fidelity and Faithfulness I just want to express my deepest gratitude to those who willingly paid their souls for us to have a better life. Although young in age, they did what other generations dreamed of doing, but couldn't achieve. After the martyrs' pictures and names were disclosed, everyone tried his/her own way of showing respect and gratitude. Their pictures and names became the profile picture of many Facebook users. They have also been put as a large picture in Tahrir square and on cars. Many people searched for their parents to congratulate them after the regime fall. Creativity The mosaic picture of the square wasn't only due to diversity of backgrounds attending the protests, but because of the diversity of the ways they used to express their anger, their dreams, and their contribution to what they feel their movement. In a part of the square you'll find poetry, in another you'll find caricatures drawn by an amateur and pinned to a cardboard paper. You'll also find people playing music, chanting and dancing, and photographs and videos are taken as documents against possible lies. After all, everyone is happily witnessing the new birth of a country that had all these abilities and skills buried for decades and time has come to get them exposed and used. After all the hassles Egyptians had passed through to achieve their freedom, to take over their resources, and to master their future, they are asked to preserve what they've gained. The values enlisted are no less than other achievements; they are signs of freedom, main constituents of their resources, and the only insurance for their future. ** Rasha Dewedar is an Egyptian journalist with a special interest in the Middle East, gender issues and science. BM
