CAIRO - I can't believe how fast time goes by. Tomorrow is the Egyptian revolution's first anniversary and if we look back we will realise that many things have happened over the past year and yet not much has been accomplished. Being Egyptians, we are more involved in our local revolution but we somehow share many things with the Arab countries that have gone through something similar. Of course the first spark was in Tunisia and then it was our turn. Shortly afterwards Libya joined in. Syria and Yemen are struggling to overthrow their presidents. We seriously sympathise with all oppressed nations, no matter where they are. On January 28 of last year we lost a friend. Artist Ziad Bakir, the father of three children, disappeared and, after five weeks of extensive searching, his body was found in a morgue. Ziad was added to the list of martyrs. I don't know exactly how many were killed so that we could have freedom, social justice and basic rights. Regardless of the numbers, all those who were killed or injured will always be in our hearts. Things are still very complicated, but I think I'm not the only one who strongly believes that eventually everything will be fine. Last April, I was asked to be a speaker in a lecture, along with veteran radio DJ Sherif El-Attar and Dr Mounir Nasr El Din, who was then Dean of the Cairo Conservatoire. This lecture was about the Beatles and the impact their songs have had on revolutions. It sounds strange, but actually it's a fact. Even here and now some have been influenced. I remember last year some friends posted on Facebook the video of the timeless ‘Power to the People' by Beatle John Lennon, who was definitely the most rebellious of the four Beatles. That didn't make him a bad guy – he just refused to play the role of a silent partner, not only in the Beatles songs, but also in the community. Yes, Lennon was an activist and that is why he will always be a hero in the eyes of many, including myself. I wanted to share with you the words of his classic that still inspires people around the world today. It's a dream that has turned into a demand. Power to the People Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people right on Say we want a revolution We better get on right away Well you get on your feet And out on the street Singing power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people right on A million workers working for nothing You better give them what they really own We got to put you down When we come into town Singing power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people right on I gotta ask you comrades and brothers How do you treat you own woman back home She got to be herself So she can free herself Singing power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people right on Now, now, now, now Oh well, power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people right on Yeah, power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people, right on Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people Power to the people, right on So Lennon expressed himself clearly as a soloist. But you know what… even in the days of the Beatles he took a stand and of course the remaining three members should not be denied the credit. One of the Fab Four's epics is ‘Revolution', which explains that a revolution is not a negative thing. For instance, our Egyptian revolution impressed the entire world in every way. Who wouldn't be impressed by the huge, decent, civilised and well-organised crowds that love their country? I could relate what the Beatles said in that song to our revolution. Revolution You say you want a revolution Well you know We all wanna change the world You tell me that it's evolution Well you know We all want to change the world But when you talk about destruction Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be all right All right, all right You say you got a real solution Well you know We'd all love to see the plan You ask me for a contribution Well you know We're doing what we can But if you want money For people with minds that hate All I can tell is brother you have to wait Don't you know it's gonna be all right All right, all right Ah You say you'll change the constitution Well you know We all want to change your head You tell me it's the institution Well you know You better free your mind instead But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow Don't you know it's gonna be all right All right, all right All right, all right, all right All right, all right, all right Finally, I would like to share with you something I have written. No… I'm not comparing my writing skill to that of the Beatles, but what I wrote has been inspired by and is about the Egyptian revolution. They callthe series of revolutions in the region the ‘Arab Spring'… I wonder why… Soon And they call it spring Still I can't see the sun What will this season bring? Will we remain as one? The future is unclear It seems like a maze But we'll stay right here Because we have faith It will take time For things to be fine Someday we will make it and get there I believe in us So never mind the fuss The world will not always be fair Rivers of tears were cried & a lot of blood was shed Still our hands won't be tied We refuse to lay down our heads The rain will fall To wash it all In a square called ‘Liberation' Then in due time The sun again will shine To clear the situation Spring will be here soon Spring will be here soon Spring will be here soon Spring will be here soon
