Cairo: “The people demand the removal of the regime. Down with military rule,” was the chant everyone was waiting for to rock and spread around the mighty square as it once did throughout the unforgettable 18 days. A group of people who called for the protests had only one thought in mind: “Different enemy, same destructive tactics used.” Others were mostly concerned with the controversial Al-Selmi's supra-constitutional document that contained principles many parties considered outrageous. They were assuring that if such a constitutional document was actually applied, the military would have a domineering power and decisions regarding the assembly assigned to write New Egypt's new constitution. As a result, the Friday this time was decided to be called “Friday of One Demand,” but was it really one after all? Did people actually call for the crucial “Authority to be handed over to civilians or at least an elected president by April 2012″ demand? Unfortunately, this was not the case at all. The so-called one demand in Tahrir Square was being betrayed, with a group of Salafists chanting “Islamic, Islamic,” with Saudi flags flying high and a group of liberals replying back with “Civil, Civil.” @ErinMcunningham, a foreign journalist who was stopped by a Salafist Sheikh and asked to show passport, jokingly tweeted: “Tahrir today kinda feels like what it would be like if the Salafis had their own theme park. Worst. Disneyland. Ever.” Platforms were set, each calling for a different demand, each one addressing a different audience. What was supposed to be the Friday of unification became the Friday of segregation. The fact that some people gave this Friday a successful outlook was met by some harsh criticism by people like @i_naguib when he tweeted: “I'm getting this feeling that many ppl in #Tahrir are feeling some sense of victory. Don't b fooled you'll go home & #SCAF will still rule.” The numbers were huge, with some critics assuming that this was a way for Islamists to show a force of power and influence on the streets. It was their way to pull their tongue out to the liberals who chose to just complain all day. In the Islamists' defense, however, one might actually not blame them. It's evident that the majority of the population is affected by the moralizing talks given by the Islamists. The way “low class (majority of population)” people lately comprehend it: “Yes of course, everyone wants to be free. However, if free doesn't get me to Ganna (Paradise), what's the use of it?.” @Nadiaglory, an Egyptian journalist, voiced the sound of wisdom when she tweeted: “It's time to come to terms with #fact #Islamists are large part of #Egypt society. No use denying or getting depressed about it. Deal with it.” “The liberal figures of parties aren't even trying” was an astonishing revelation made by some liberals themselves. One coming from @MohHKamel who tweeted: “I just wish liberals were political animals like #Islamists are. Have that killer instinct. Know when to protest & when to retreat. #Nov18.” Actually some liberal parties like Free Egyptians Party and other parties like Al Wafd, Al Tagammu, and the Egyptian Communist Party were a subject of criticism after they decided to boycott Friday's protests. They were seen as “cowards” and “politically weak,” giving the Islamists the upper hand in the mighty square. “Like it or not, staying home will not change one thing about it, so you better start to act and fight for what you want! #tahrir #islamists,” tweeted @89mizo89 as a message to some liberal paries and non-Islamist parties who decided to not participate in Friday's “One Demand” protests. @Mosaaberizing condemned that act and put the liberals head to shame when he tweeted: “To me, every ‘Islamist' who protested against SCAF today is worth ten liberals who stayed at home out of fear and ideological difference.” On the rise of “Islamic, Islamic” chants, @ikhwanweb, the Muslim Brotherhood's official Twitter English handle, assured that the #MB has absolutely no problem with the document stating that Egypt is a civil state and refuses the concept of anything above the constitution. Such an announcement left people to wonder: “Where's the problem then? Are we being teased by this so called #SCAF constitutional declaration that was set to be discussed and maybe amended multiple of times today? Was it their plan to divide us? What was the media's subliminal purpose in reporting on Thursday that Sharaf was to meet members from both the Salafi and #MB groups to discuss the document?” Was the fact that everyone looks for personal gain sinking inside the souls of the revolutionaries? Was it incontrovertible that political parties were acting like unleashed animals just craving for the complete authority Mubarak once had? Was the blood of the martyrs who risked their lives in an attempt to drag the country out of the dictatorship forgotten so fast? Why would Egypt ever be left between the choice of having a dominating military rule and a suffocating Islamic rule? It's a reality we can't ignore. We forgot to topple the #Mubarak residing inside of us while we were calling for his removal. A revolution within yourselves, God bless you. A revolution within yourselves, Egyptians. ** Menna Alaa can be found on Twitter: @TheMiinz BM
