Saturday, February 12, 2011

Dial 1-800-Tahrir Square

President Hosni Mubarak stepped down after 18 days of pro-democracy protests in Egypt. It is a momentous occasion for not just the Egyptians but the world at large because it ushers the beginning of a new era- where people power can topple down even the most autocratic of the regimes.
US President Barack Obama rightly said, "The people of Egypt have spoken. Their voices have been heard. And Egypt will never be the same."
Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist, called this a 'do-it-yourself' revolution. 'It means that anyone in the neighbourhood can copy it by dialling 1-800-Tahrir Square', he said. He asked Egypt's neighbours especially Libya to watch out.
But it's not just Libya (though Muammar el-Qaddafi is one of the worst authoritarian rulers of the land) that needs to watch out, protests have already erupted across the region with Algeria, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and even Iran being engulfed in the fire of Liberalisation.
Egypt revolution has confirmed today that people can triumph in times of adversity if they stand tall and refuse to give in. Mubarak's resignation has only served as a catalyst, the real test is to see democracy finally prevail in the region.
The road ahead is not easy and the people of Egypt cannot stop now. The world is looking at Egypt to see if this formula works. If it does, then very soon every nation facing oppression, corruption and dictatorship will find its citizens dial '1-800- Tahrir Square.'

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