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Egyptians Celebrate Revolution, Get Back to Work

   Lauren Frayer | Cairo  February 12, 2011
   A  burned  vehicle, piles of rubble and trash in Tahrir Square, Cairo,
   Egypt, February 12, 2011

Photo: VOA - L. Frayer

   A  burned  vehicle, piles of rubble and trash in Tahrir Square, Cairo,
   Egypt, February 12, 2011

   On  the  streets  of Egypt, people are doing three things: celebrating
   their  revolution, memorializing those who died in it and getting down
   to the nitty-gritty work of building their countryās future.

   For  the  past  three weeks, Farah El Moatazās frantic father wouldnāt
   let  her  out  of  the  house. He said a revolution was no place for a
   15-year-old girl.
   "In the beginning I kept begging him to go, but he kept telling me no,
   itās  dangerous," said Farah. "I kept telling him, at school they keep
   saying,  you  have  to say your opinion. Today, finally he told me yes
   you can go downstairs, go to Tahrir Square. Finally Iām here."
   But  Farah didnāt bring a camera to capture the moment, and she didnāt
   even come with friends. She rode the bus down here alone - with a only
   a  broom,  to  sweep  the  streets where her countryās protesters held
   vigil  for 18 days. "Because itās my country. I want it to be the best
   country in the world," he said.
   Families  stroll downtown Cairo waving Egyptian flags. Parents balance
   infants  on  the  side  of  idling  army  tanks  and  snap  photos for
   posterity.  18-year-old Doaa Sabry says Egyptās youth is ready to take
   on the world.
   "We  inspired everyone in this revolution, and we want to do something
   that  will  inspire every human being in this world, because we can do
   it," said Doaa.
   Amin  Abu  Hashem  describes  his feeling of empowerment. "They feel a
   sense  of  hope.  Itās  gushing  from  everyone  here,  like we can do
   anything  now.  Everyone has this feeling of a new Egypt - making it a
   better tomorrow for everyone," said Amin.
   But   underneath   the   euphoria,  there  seems  to  be  a  sense  of
   responsibility.Ā  More than 115,000 people have signed onto a Facebook
   group called "Egyptās Rebuilding Campaign."
   Farah  El  Moataz  picked up her broom, but others donāt know where to
   start.Ā   Cairo  resident  Karen  Kamel  says  that  after 30 years of
   authoritarian rule, the idea of freedom can be a bit overwhelming.
   "Weāve  been  used  to  that  for  30  years  and  maybe people prefer
   stability rather than something new. I think every person is afraid of
   change  and  something  very new, but I think itās in the hands of the
   people to make a better Egypt," said Kamel.
   Much   remains  undecided  -  who  will  lead  Egypt  long-term?  What
   constitutional changes are coming?

   Mourners  throw  roses and pray over the names of some of those killed
   in  Egypt's  revolution,  at  a  makeshift  memorial in Tahrir Square,
   Cairo, February 12, 2011

VOA - L. Frayer

   Mourners  throw  roses and pray over the names of some of those killed
   in  Egypt's  revolution,  at  a  makeshift  memorial in Tahrir Square,
   Cairo, February 12, 2011

   Thereās  also the question of what will become of Tahrir Square, where
   dozens  of  unarmed  protesters  died  in clashes with security agents
   before  President  Hosni  Mubarak  resigned.  Fafette Mazloum says she
   wants to see a memorial built in the square.
   "Itās  for  the people. Itās going to be a place where people can come
   and  remember  what  happened  here,  how Egyptians were able to bring
   about  a  revolution  peacefully. This is a symbol for the rest of the
   world, that things donāt need to be violent," said Fafette.
   The  future  holds  many  big  questions  for  Egyptians, who are just
   returning  to  normal  life  after  18  days  of uncertainty. For now,
   perhaps itās easier to pick up a broom and start sweeping.
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