Lotus Revolution
Several revolutions are known to have been launched in Egypt beginning from the 19th Century until the present time. The Orabi Revolution of September 9, 1881 was triggered by worsening political and economic conditions; by foreign interference in Egypt's internal affairs; and by Khedive Tawfiq's absolute rule of the country. It was followed in 1919 by a popular uprising to protest the exile by British occupation authorities of Egyptian Leader Saad Zagloul. The demonstrators also called for the country's independence. The uprising ultimately led to the return of Saad Zagloul and British authorities allowed a delegation led by Saad Zagloul to travel to Paris to present their country's case. Three decades later, another revolution broke out; i.e. the July 23 Revolution. It was launched by a group of Army officers against the King, and against corruption and graft, which led to the 1948 defeat. The revolution forced King Farouk out of the country and proclaimed a republic on June 18, 1953. The revolutionary legacy of our people is evidence that while Egyptians may suffer persecution by their occupiers and rulers they will eventually rise against oppression; which is the case with the 2011 Revolution, also known as the "Lotus Revolution". The "Lotus Revolution" broke out on January 25, 2011, calling for "freedom", "development" and "social justice". Demonstrators also protested poverty and unemployment. The date for the "Day of Rage" was set on January 25, which marked Police Day. Responding to the call were several opposition groups, including "Kefaya", the "April 6 movement", the "Socialist Revolutionaries" and the "Muslim Brotherhood". The steps taken by the former regime in response to the demands of the Tahrir Square youth were "too little and too slow". As a result, protestors upped the ceiling and called for the "downfall of the regime". The protestors held their ground for 18 days until President Mubarak surrendered his powers to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on February 11, 2011. Despite clashes taking place between the revolutionaries and the police, which left several dead and others wounded, the Revolution was considered by observers at home and abroad as a "white revolution". At the end, however, it behoves us to express our gratitude to the Egyptian Forces for siding with the people and for working to achieve their dreams and aspirations. |
THE REVOLUTIONARY LEGACY OF OUR PEOPLE IS EVIDENCE THAT WHILE EGYPTIANS MAY SUFFER PERSECUTION BY THEIR OCCUPIERS AND RULERS THEY WILL EVENTUALLY RISE AGAINST OPPRESSION; WHICH IS THE CASE WITH THE 2011 REVOLUTION.
