CAIRO - Egypt's iconic Tahrir Square rang with activities, colourful flags and prayers to greet the Martyrs' Day to commemorate the eleven young men, who died during the anti-Government protest last Wednesday. From Alexandria to Aswan, thousands of Egyptians gathered in Al Tahrir Square to mark the day by a thundering barrage of mass prayers and patriotic songs and poems. A salvo of speeches and poems, read out by firebrand orators and poets, rumbled on through the day across the square. The early morning chilly weather failed to dampen the sombre cheer among an estimated 10,000 people who have been camping out in Tahrir since January 25. Meanwhile, makeshift kitchenettes, manned by young men and women, have been offering the participants and the protesters with everything from free hot tea to food and water. Thousands of Egyptian families were keen to attend the event, which they say symbolises "the heroic spirit" of the nation's youth and Army following a spate of deadly clashes that left eleven dead and more than 1,000 persons injured. In the meantime, Coptic Christians joined their Muslim compatriots, saying the Martyrs' Day heralded "good news" for all the Egyptians. Adel Lutfi, a protester, said that the Muslims at Al Tahrir Square showed solidarity with their Christian brothers and sisters. "There is no difference between Muslims and Christians. I believe that we are all Egyptians, who should pay respect to the eleven young men, who died during the Wednesday clashes," Lutfi said. Shaimaa Nader, a volunteer nurse, said that the Martyrs' Day made her proud of her country and its youths for the first time in decades. "The Martyrs' Day bears witness to the fact that the Muslims and the Copts are Egyptians, who feel the pains and agony of their country," Shaimaa said. A posse of young people surrounds her chanting: "The Muslims and Copts are one, and Egypt is one.” Some of the protesters said they had now many days and nights in the square, where they have been sleeping in makeshift tents, or on the pavements. "We have been eating egg sandwiches and drinking tea and water that are being offered by the young people and nearby food shops for free," Adel, another protester said. He said he was thankful for the Martyrs' Day because it united the Muslims and the Copts against the regime, which he wanted to go. Magdi Naguib, a Copt, said that unity was the driving force that committed him to come to Al Tahrir to salute the youth and bless their protest movement.
