To all of you, around the world, who love freedom; to you, who dream of better lives; to you, who seek to break free from their shackles and outgrow the limits that were created by tyrants: know that, finally, dreams are coming true. Our journey at the April 6th Movement started with a dream that can be easily summed up: We are tired. And silence is no longer an option. And from that day in 2008 we named our movement after and until the morning of January 25th 2011, we have worked tirelessly. Nothing was harder, though, than making sure that fear had no place in our hearts. Our conviction never faltered: that Egypt deserves better. And at times when my colleagues and I would silently cross gaze, our eyes would reveal our concerns: can we succeed? Can it truly happen one day? We would sometimes observe, admire the nations that have liberated themselves and wonder to one another: will we, too, one day become a model that they whole world would admire? The journey was epic. The stuff films are made off. We laughed and cried. We got arrested and we escaped. We were hunted down, we outran them in the alleys of Egypt's cities. It is a drama that filmmakers have not yet imagined. It is a book that no one has written. Patience was no easy virtue, but patient we were. And yes, we are still dreaming of a free country, where unjust tyrants have no place. We dream of a country where no one is deprived of education or health care. We dream of a country where 40% of the population doesn't dwell below the poverty line. We dream of a country where social justice is a constitutional right, and a reality for all. To those wishing a better future for their country: dream big – then work on making those dreams come true. It takes hard work – a lot of it. And spare no sweat or blood for it. Here are a few dreamers who inspired me: Martin Luther King. Rosa Parks. Nelson Mandela. They dreamt, for years. They fought for the entirety of their lives. Egyptians, I daresay, are heroes who have dreamt for years and worked tirelessly both in public and underground. And their dream is finally becoming true. To the great people of Egypt, your victory over tyranny and injustice is righteous. Your revolution is righteous. So be joyful, and be proud, for you will one day tell your children, and their children, of what we have collectively achieved as a nation. And work hard to build this country the way we picture it to be. Egypt needs you. Will you be there for her? It is you, great Egyptians, who are nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and not the April 6th Movement or others. You, and you alone, are the nominees. It is for the Martyrs of our dreams and hopes. The martyrs of heroism and dignity, the martyrs whom, by their ultimate sacrifice, have accomplished what words cannot describe and the most prestigious of prizes in the world simply cannot measure up to. Your precious souls shall forever live amongst us, reminding us that we have dignity, and that dignity is earned – and that on this land is what makes life worth living. We will, as will our children, recount your heroic tales with pride. Finally, to my colleagues in the struggle, those who shared the dream, my colleagues and partners in the April 6th Movement: I am proud to be one of you. I am proud of every moment I spent with you. I have learned and am still learning from you every day. I am learning that love for the country and working for it is its own reward – and that no compensation could ever match that. Know that we have taken the first step of the road. And we cannot stop. Nations aren't made up of prizes. Prizes you undoubtedly deserve – but nations are made of those who dream and work. My salute to the founders of this Movement. My salute to the thousands of unknown soldiers, are working quietly, away from the public and media eye. Please remember that the true prize will be a complete revolution and a victorious nation, once our hopes are fulfilled and our demands met, when the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces leaves its ruling office and Egypt is managed by a civil authority, elected by the people and its revolution, regardless of this authority's political affiliation. We will, undoubtedly, succeed. We will have a new constitution that represents our country, its people, its identity, their rights and responsibilities, their freedom. The future will become the present. The dreams of our martyrs will become reality. Justice, truth, freedom will return to the land of Egypt. Long live Egypt and its people. Long live the struggle of the Egyptian people. Waleed Rashed Co- founder of April 6 Movement Waleed Rashed is the cofounder of the April 6 Youth Movement. He sent this opinion article to Youm7 regarding April 6's recent nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
