Newsletter Quarterly Issue No. 11, April 2011

Under the Protection of the People Contents Bibliotheca Alexandrina Newsletter Quarterly Issue No. 11, April 2011

Published by the Media Department

Director, BA Editorial General Supervisor To Speak and to Hear: Two Ismail Serageldin Sides of the Same Coin 4

Editor-in-Chief Khaled Azab BA Highlights The 25 January Revolution 10 Managing Editor at the BA: What Happened and What is Next Ayman Elsherbiny ? Features of 18 Days of 16 Staff Writer Egyptian Protests in the Sarah Elhaddad Eyes of the Media

Contributing Writer The Digital Library of Inscriptions and 22 Kholoud Said Calligraphies Proofreading Identity Preservation in 26 Perihan Fahmy Renewed Uses of Ancient Ghada Nabeel Monuments

Photographers Mohamed Nafea Contributions Mohamed Mounir The Coptic Church 30 Hassan Mady Archaeology

Graphic Designer Shadi El Nagar Words to Remember 34

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Bibliotheca Alexandrina P.O. Box 138, Chatby 21526, Alexandria, Phone: + (203) 4839999; Ext: 2271 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bibalex.org Editorial protected cultural institutions such as the Egyptian and the Library of Alexandria, which many considered as their own. th On the 25 January Revolution Today, the people are all celebrating the stepping down of Former President Mubarak and the start of a new era; but TO SPEAK AND TO HEAR: the road ahead is going to be difficult. We must ensure that this moment of euphoria and the solidarity created TWO SIDES OF THE SAME by this revolutionary movement launched by our youth on 25 January COIN are effectively transformed into the institutions and laws that will be the real guarantors of a true democracy. Ismail Serageldin Following the demonstrations, the battles, and the celebrations in the streets, we must now perform the In the 18 days that shook the world, men equally demanding work of designing and women, young and old, Muslims new institutions, selecting new leaders and Christians, rich and poor came and creating new laws—to fashion together as never before. The Army the wise constraints that make people never unleashed a volley against any of free. the millions of demonstrators. All melded I have unlimited confidence in Egypt’s together and showed the true mettle youth. It is the dawn of a new day. of “the people”. They redefined the meaning of Egyptian greatness. During those long days of struggle, days when Freedom of Expression the police forces were either attacking the demonstrators or totally absent We need to establish a “New Egypt” from the scene, there was not one where democracy, justice, solidarity, incident of sectarian tension. Indeed, and the rule of law are essential. This o all our friends around the world: we saw Christians and Muslims praying requires a national dialogue and thank you for your many messages by the thousands in Tahrir Square, each respect to all points of view. We have to of solidarity and support throughout T protecting and respecting the other. focus on the Freedom of Expression and the days of the revolution; and a Hundreds of thousands of young men Access to Information. They are topics salute to Egypt’s wonderful youth, who and women demonstrated for days on close to my heart, and loom large in my changed the course of history through end, and not one case of harassment mind. peaceful demonstrations. The moral was noted. Volunteers provided power of non-violence was never more I am a totally committed supporter of safety and order, and neighbors ably deployed for the cause of more freedom of expression even when it is came together to form neighborhood freedom, more justice and to lay the difficult, perhaps especially when it is watches to protect their homes and foundations of better tomorrows. By the difficult. families against thugs and ruffians who moral force of their solidarity, and the attacked homes and looted public nobility of their cause, they challenged Without free speech, no search for buildings, and to provide public services all expectations, and triumphed. The truth is possible, no discovery of truth is by sharing as never before. The people Egyptian Revolution of 25 January 2011 useful, and no progress is possible. got to know each other better than ever now belongs to history books. It is a before. Neighborhoods became more Freedom of expression requires that we brilliant chapter in the unfolding story of than physical definitions, they became protect abusive and obnoxious speech, the struggle for human dignity and the communities again. The demonstrators because it is precisely that speech values of our common humanity.

4 5 Editorial that requires protection. Acceptable Limits on Freedom of How do you criticize corrupt public exalting . The once shocking speech requires no protection, officials without attacking their honor has become not only accepted, but precisely because it is acceptable to Expression or reputation? Unfortunately, the much honored. the majority. attacks may also be misplaced and There are boundaries to our freedoms against innocent people. Laws of libel Societies need to hear the dissenting It is the contrarian view that is the that are set when they impact and slander protect against that in old voices, the contrarian views, the new birthplace of innovation, of change negatively on the rights of others. fashioned media, but Internet attacks ideas, the new findings in research. and of progress. For progress is all about The Universal Declaration of Human are virtually immune from these laws by Censorship tries to deny the public change and innovation, it is not about Rights (UDHR) has recognized some of easily disguising the authors. access to these dissenting voices, to stability and the status quo. these aspects, and its own statements these new ideas, to these contrarian can be seen to require judgment in Or take the following from Article views, to these unsettling findings. The Not every obnoxious talk leads to enforcing freedom of expression. Thus 29(b): “In the exercise of his rights and public does not necessarily want to progress, but we cannot define which note in Article 7: “All are equal before freedoms, everyone shall be subject only hear, much less to act on unsettling unusual idea, which seditious thought the Law, and are entitled without any to such limitations as are determined by or disturbing findings, as was brilliantly will be tomorrow’s accepted truth discrimination to equal protection Law solely for the purpose of securing exposed by Ibsen in his Enemy of the and enshrined right.. after all, what we of the Law. All are entitled to equal due recognition and respect for the State. take for granted, was once deemed protection against any discrimination in rights and freedoms of others and extremely objectionable. violation of this Declaration and against of meeting the just requirements of Thus, troublingly, censorship can any incitement to such discrimination.” be, and is frequently supported by So, not knowing where the next big morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.” the majority of the population, and step in the progress of human civilization Incitement is a form of expression. therefore many would criticize my will come from, we open our ears, our How do we curb that without getting How do we protect free speech, when position as being undemocratic on minds and our hearts to the new, the onto the slippery slope of curtailing all it may well be seen by the majority insisting on the right of freedom of unusual and the contrarian. dissent and all troubling and contrarian of the population as something that expression, and as we shall see for speech? We promote pluralism, not dogma. We undermines the “just requirements of freedom of access. However, I remind morality, public order and the general them that democracy must be more critique, we do not accept uncritically. It is a difficult region to navigate. We question and we debate, and over welfare in a democratic society”? than two wolves and a sheep voting Legislation can play a role in changing on what to have for dinner. Democracy time we will separate the wheat from the attitudes. Thus, segregation in America It requires judgment. As Justice chaff. We will separate the worthwhile is as much about protecting the rights was ended by legislation. As Martin Holmes, US Supreme Court, memorably of the minority from the tyranny of the from the misguided in all the new ideas Luther King Jr. said about civil rights said: “The most stringent protection of and new voices that we hear. majority, as it is to seek the consent of legislation: “Morality cannot be free speech would not protect a man the majority on actions to take. legislated, but behavior can be However, we cannot do that if we in falsely shouting fire in a theater and regulated. Judicial decrees may not enclose ourselves from the contrarian causing panic”. Censorship denies the right of that change the heart but they can restrain view, or simply suppress the views innovative or dissenting minority. the heartless.” Legislating against free speech is Censorship does this either by directly of those who would challenge the always perilous. Worse, in some countries accepted and the known. silencing the dissenting or innovative The fruits of King’s efforts came to pass and contexts, lawsuits have been used voice, or more recently, and insidiously, with the election of Barack Obama, To my compatriots and co-religionists, to harass those who hold dissenting or by denying the public the right to hear who realized the dream that King I say listen to the modern voice of Ibn contrarian views. that voice, by denying access to large had spoken of in his memorable 1963 Al Nafis, from the 13th century, in the segments of society to the fruits of that speech. It is clear that this is partially contextual, midst of the obscurantism and bigotry and partially time and space voice. of that distant past, on accepting the Or consider this statement in Article 12 specific. Thus, the Last Judgment of contrarian view subject only to the test of the UDHR: “No one shall be subjected Michelangelo was deemed obscene Where is the Audience? of rationality and evidence: to arbitrary interference with his privacy, by the church leaders of his time and “When hearing something unusual, family, home or correspondence, nor to others were commissioned to paint Freedom of expression is meaningless do not preemptively reject it, for attacks upon his honor and reputation. over the genitalia of the nudes in that without the right of the audience to that would be folly. Indeed, horrible Everyone has the right to the protection masterful fresco in the Sistine Chapel. receive that expression. Access to things may be true, and familiar and of the Law against such interference or Today, everyone, including all the knowledge is as important as freedom praised things may prove to be lies. attacks.” Catholic Church hierarchy, recognize of expression; they are two sides of the Truth is truth unto itself, not because it as a masterpiece of Western art, same coin. [many] people say it is.” —Ibn Al-Nafis, (1213-1288 CE) Sharh’ Ma’na Al Qanun.

6 7 Editorial The reality of our world is more subtle much material, necessary material, is However, with the private sector hijack the authors creation and claim than the heavy-handed government locked away. funding approximately two-thirds of perpetual property over it. All that is bans or imprisonment of dissident writers the global research, and with their another long discussion, of legal and and voices, although that certainly still We are seduced by the emergent eagerness to recoup their investments technical aspects that I will be happy occurs. power of the Internet bloggers, and their through a tight IPR regime, much of to go into another time. so far victorious march against the efforts the inputs into scientific research are There is social intimidation by the at censorship. Where one is silenced, proprietary. You cannot use a probe Suffice to say that the new technologies self-appointed brigades of the thought dozens will take his/her place; but that or a reagent in biological analysis that offer us enormous opportunities to think police—they exist in every society, is not absolutely true. Censorship can is not proprietary. The same is true of in fresh and innovative ways. New whether they are of the religious, have a chilling effect. One prosecuted databases. The prohibitive costs of business models must be promulgated. nationalistic or atheistic variety. case can result in a dozen others accessing them are placing a real For myself, I favor one where people Dogmatists, who are convinced that self-censoring themselves. The loser barrier on the ability of the poorest can consult for free, but download for they know better, that only the way they is free expression, and when that is countries to use them in their research. a fee. That, and many other business think is acceptable, and who would curtailed, all of society is diminished. models need to be elaborated in this deprive others of their right to hear True we have access to use that new era of the Internet age, where bits differing and discordant voices. They In this new hybrid age, the age of material for the so-called research and bytes, and the flight of an electron try to achieve this by either silencing Facebook and Youtube, users are also exemption. It can be used, without too can determine fortunes and move the author or scaring away the public. content providers. Yes, that is fine for much difficulty, as long as there is no mountains. People are chased away from political certain forms of expression, but not useful result, for example to teach or to meetings, they are intimidated from necessarily as far as useful scientific lecture or to write a paper. If the result Let us dedicate ourselves to ensure not attending artistic performances, they information and tools of research are is deemed useful, i.e. patentable, then just the rights of free speech, but the are challenged from publishing a work, concerned. there is no automatic licensing, and IPR rights of audiences to have access to they are banned from showing their must be negotiated for every input used that speech. Knowledge is the lifeblood films except in remote and inaccessible Old Barriers in New Forms in the research. That is simply prohibitive of societies. Access to knowledge, and places, and so on. and takes far too long for societies in the the constant exchange of it ensures Traditional obstacles of money and deprived areas of the world to benefit. that society exists. Deprived of it, society Then there is the denial of access by power remain in new guise: they are not dies. The flow of knowledge keeps cultural, political or economic barriers: barriers to entry, but barriers to usage of the body politic healthy; it allows for Cultural, by denying translation into the most important materials. Let me Countermoves vigorous growth and above all ensures other languages of particular works; that every part of that body is served mention some examples: licensing fees, Many are responding to the challenge Political, by foreclosing the entry of book prices, inputs in research. fully and correctly. particular products into a political of access in this hybrid world in which we territory; and Economic, by leaving Some books have prices that are live. They are developing open source Knowledge is the only thing that the material available, but at a price astronomical for the poor students in the systems. Scientific leaders have created you can provide freely and still retain, that few can afford in the vast bulk South, and yet cannot be scanned and PLoS. The USNAS provides its material for making the person receiving the of humanity that lives in poverty and digitized and made available because free for those who are located in the knowledge richer, without yourself (the squalor. publishers will not allow it, even if authors developing countries. giver), being any poorer for it. would welcome it. Surely, the most insidious of these People, like myself, are not only arguing Let us all contribute to establishing is the economic; for it is far more Some journals have subscription vehemently to provide all information to a new world, where boundaries subtle. Protected under the guise of rates that are many multiples of the all people at all times, we are actively disappear, and where young citizens the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), monthly salaries of the educated in the involved in major projects that will make of the world can reach out and build it keeps the material available but developing world. The license fees of this a reality, such as the World Digital a community across the political, unattainable. some research tools and technologies Library, the million book project, and geographic and economic divides, exceed, by far, the budgets of all but the Encyclopedia of Life. celebrating their common humanity The traditional obstacles of money and and rejoicing in their diversity. A the most well-endowed institutions of It is time to recognize that IPR needs an power limited access to the old media the south. community where each is accepted for of printing, radio and television. overhaul. The authors and innovators their ideas and their ways of expressing Some databases are treated as must be rewarded, the consumers of them, unaffected by their race, sex, or Some of us had hoped that technology commercial property, not as reference knowledge must be served. However, faith. would help us resolve that. The Internet material, for scientists the world over. the servers, publishers, libraries and has indeed helped a lot, but still far too , must not be allowed to It can be done. It must be done. It will be done.

8 9 BA Highlights the public attitude at large. This theme significant role of the media in shaping was also concerned with moments of public awareness, referring to 25 hope and fear, confusion and concern, January as a revolution of awareness, confidence and victory, in addition to and paid special attention to the th concepts of stability, security, freedom, importance of photography as one of The 25 January Revolution at the BA democracy and revolution. the key players in the Revolution.

Speakers asserted that the Revolution In the same series of events intended WHAT HAPPENED will not end except with the emergence to express transformations, experiences of a whole new structure, not just a and testimonies of the Revolution, which political regime, and criticized the role had not been brought to the scene AND WHAT IS of institutions, when compared to that previously, the BA hosted on Thursday, 3 of the people. They explained how this March 2011, a seminar entitled “Illusions NEXT? worldwide-known uprising transcended Created by the Revolution, and Illusions any political or ideological background, Destroyed by the Revolution”, in and was indeed representative of the cooperation with the Literary Intellectual Kholoud Said people of Egypt at large. In the second Forum which is organized by a group of part of the Event, media specialists Alexandrian youth. reflected on their different experiences ladimir Ilyich Lenin once said Mahmoud, and more. Opening its during the Revolution. They spoke of the “There are decades when doors again on Tuesday, 22 February, Vnothing happens; and there pending to increasing requests from are weeks when decades happen”. users, the BA continued its mission, vision Youth participating in a BA activity This could not be truer when applied and objectives, in a different context, a to the 25th January Revolution in Egypt. New Free Egypt. Since Tuesday, 25 January, until Friday, 11 February 2011, and up until today, Recognizing the crucial role played by various things have happened. This youth in the 25 January Revolution, the is, by far and by all criteria a historic BA was a pioneer in hosting a number moment; a moment when the whole of young activists, who themselves world stands still and Egyptians, alone, participated in reshaping Egypt’s step to the forefront. present and future. Held on Sunday, 20 February 2011, days after the stepping Being “the world’s window on Egypt” down of Former President Mubarak, and “Egypt’s window on the world”, the “Reflections on the Revolution” was BA has not been away from the scene. coordinated and moderated by an After a short closure following the “Friday outstanding youth activist known for his of Anger”, 28 January 2011, due to the opposition activities. Speakers included enacted curfew, BA staff members— the General Coordinator of the Popular mostly youth—resumed their daily Campaign to Support Baradie as business as of Sunday, 8 February 2011. President of Egypt, a leader from the Still closed to public, BA staff members Socialists Revolutionist Movement, and engaged in dialogues and discussions political and human rights activists. The about the current situation: the State seminar was attended by a large group and the individual; the president, the of people who also participated in the vice-president and the government; the dialogue. police versus the army; constitutional authority versus revolutionary authority; The event tackled two themes: the constitutional amendments; martyrs first was an open dialogue about the and victims; democratic transition, political, social and cultural outcomes Tahrir, Qa’ed Ibrahim and Moustafa of the Revolution, and its impact on

10 11 BA Highlights The Seminar reviewed how the 25 participation of 600 young men and January Revolution changed several women participated from Egypt and conceptions and destroyed illusions on many Arab countries, recognizing the the political, social and cultural arenas. popular uprisings currently taking place On the other hand, the Revolution is in several parts of the Arab World. said to have created some illusions. Young researchers attempted to read Youth took the lead in organizing the situation, and presented preliminary and preparing this Meeting to discuss proposals for an ambitious project to whatever they consider important study some features of the Revolution. in this historic moment. Over 3 days, Ahmed Zaied proposed his paper on the Meeting tackled different topics the illusions created by the Revolution. including: the future democratic State, active citizenship, the future of Ismail Alexandrani studied 10 illusions institutions, voting and elections, the destroyed by the Revolution, namely: future of political parties, and the civil Participants observe a minute of silence in honor of the revolution martyrs the role of foreign intervention in the society. Participants were divided into change in Egypt; the absence of a four working groups to discuss themes revolutions, including best practices of called for referring to the 25 January political alternative; reform—rather related to social policies, economy, the Egyptian and Tunisian Revolutions Revolution as “The Revolution”, for it than revolution—is more suitable to the the civil society, and Arab and regional by way of supporting popular uprisings was one of its kind regarding a couple Egyptian character; ignorance and affairs. They stressed concepts such in different Arab countries. of aspects: spontaneous, peaceful, absence of awareness hinder change as individual responsibility, unity and graceful and without a one specific Following this Youth Conference, leader. Al-Awa stressed on several attempts; absence of strong social commitment. another major event took place at the movements to lead change; waves demands including the release of Participants proposed several BA, “Egypt is Changing” Conference, all political prisoners, and expressed of religious symbols delay change; held 28 February–1 March 2011, with sectarian tension interrupts peaceful projects in different fields including, the people’s aspirations following the comprehensive awareness in politics, the participation of intellectuals, Revolution in establishing a democratic democratic transition; hunger revolution politicians, activists and Egyptian youth. and the relation between change and law, health, environment and tourism parliamentary State and repositioning and a human development campaign It tackled current critical issues including Egypt as a strong regional power. class struggle; the supposed role of the the current phase, the role of political elite and the middle class; and finally for youth. In the field of economics, participants called for a United Arab parties, the media and constitutional that the state of oppression is protected amendments. against change. Market, economic exchange and cooperation among Arab countries, Speakers discussed the role of the Within the same framework, and as entrepreneurship and small enterprises armed forces, security system, and the part of the BA’s endeavors to reshape and a people’s bank. In the cultural democratic transition. The session on the relationship between institutions aspects, discussions tackled preserving political parties and powers hosted and different political groups, and to the Arabic language, culture and representatives from Al-Wafd Party, participate in a healthy democratic heritage, and launched a union for Baradei Campaign and Al-Gamaa atmosphere in Egypt, the BA launched young Arab intellectuals. Education Al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group) for the first a training program for youth who was in the forefront of the discussions. time at the BA. A special session was are working in political awareness Participants called for campaigns devoted to discussing the proposed Mohammed Salim Al-Awa campaigns. The Program seeks to to eliminate illiteracy, develop constitutional amendments, while the provide training in political awareness educational curricula, involve people closing session tackled the “Transformed Being the most critical issue of the without dictating a certain political or with disabilities, paying attention to Media”, addressing the recent shifts in intellectual ideology, in coordination technical education and connecting moment, the BA paid great interest the State-run media that took place to the proposed constitutional with three youth initiatives. it with the industry, and create an Arab after the Revolution. University. amendments. On Monday, 7 March In context of the special attention The BA also hosted eminent thinker 2011, a panel discussion was held to that the BA paid to the role of youth Proposals also included an international Mohammed Salim Al-Awa on 2 March talk about the proposed constitutional in the Egyptian Revolution, the BA day for social justice, developing 2011, who addressed a wide group of amendments, for which there will be hosted a meeting for young people legislations, and launching Arab audience about the historic moment a national referendum on 19 March entitled “Youth: A Revolution of Youth Parliament. Some participants that Egypt is currently witnessing. He 2011. The event hosted Chancellor Change” 26–28 February 2011, with the proposed issuing a guide for Arab Hatem Bagato, Vice-President of

12 13 BA Highlights Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court and Rapporteur of the Constitutional Amendments Committee, formed by the Higher Council of the Armed Forces. He agrees that Egypt’s Constitution should be replaced rather than amended, but he sees this as a step that still requires some more time.

Bagato also stressed that the proposed constitutional amendments are intended only to pave the way to fair integral parliamentary and presidential elections that allow for true representation from the society, to limit the presidential period to two four-year terms, to lift the emergency law, and to ensure the establishment of a constituent committee comprising different political powers to draft a new constitution following the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Within the same aim to spread awareness of the constitutional amendments, the BA held, on 6 March, a culture lecture for youth tackling the definition of the Constitution, the history of the Egyptian Constitution, and an overview on the latest constitutional People standing in line to attend one of the BA amendments. activities

On 16 March 2011, the BA hosted Dr. Amr Hamzawy, Research Director and the 25th January Revolution within the Center held a storyboard photography Senior Associate at the Carnegie Middle Memory of Modern Egypt (MoME) exhibition entitled “My Revolution East Center in Beirut, to address the project, in maintaining its role to Diaries” 7–16 April 2011, displaying public on the current situation in Egypt. document Egyptian history. MoME will personal experiences about the Hamzawy tackled four main issues: what document several material related to ongoing 25 January Revolution through happened since 25 January, challenges the Revolution including photos, official each one’s perspective. A Song of democratic transformation, the role documents (such as resolutions) and Competition is also held. Winners will be of citizens in building modern Egypt, other documents (such as flyers), in announced during a concert, which will and the constitutional amendments. addition to press archive, video and be held on 25 January 2012. Another The following day Dr. Heba Raouf Ezzat, audio material. So far, MoME possesses competition was also announced Professor at the Faculty of Economics several material that documents the to design a freestanding memorial and Political Sciences, was also a guest Revolution since its onset on 25 January, (bas-relief) for the martyrs of 25 January at the BA to talk about social and until its climax on 11 February 2011. These to be placed at the BA Plaza, next to economic reform policies. include a file for each Governorate, as the Conference Center Entrance. well as information about martyrs. The BA’s objective has not been limited to only spreading awareness The artistic touch was never missing and holding discussions and dialogues. from Egyptians nor their glorious The BA also endeavors to document Revolution. In that regard, the BA Arts “My Revolution Diaries” Exhibition

14 15 BA Highlights

Tahrir Square, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Social Networks FEATURES OF 18 DAYS OF EGYPTIAN PROTESTS IN THE EYES OF THE MEDIA Demonstrations passing by the BA.

Sarah Elhaddad away from capturing the revolt in the area (Alexandria), Al-Arbaeen Square different cities of Egypt, and managed (Suez), Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and to capture the spirit and symbolism of the . freedom and sense of responsibility in January 2011, Friday Tahrir Square ©Facebook, The Photo Library of the 25th Tahrir (), Al-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque Famous journalists including CNN of Rage. Egyptians are Egyptian Revolution Anderson Cooper, CBS Katie Couric, 28 isolated. As the ousted The Independent Robert Fisk, ABC government decided to block the Christiane Amanpour, award-winning Internet and cell phone services in American photographer Kim Badawi, response to mass protests calling for the BBC Kasia Madera, and Aljazeera fall of the ruling regime; the infamous International Rawya Rageh; were reaction was met with the marches of among the hundreds who reported the millions, who took their anger to the 25 January Revolution from the heart of streets. By mid-day, the police withdrew the events. from the streets, thugs started acting against peaceful demonstrators, and The Media not only took part in criminals were released from prisons to capturing the actual scenes of what increase chaos. was taking place in Egypt, but it is believed that it had a role in shaping the On this day of rage, fear, and blood, Revolution’s events. Social Networks, as protests were met by violent acts especially Facebook worked in favor by the police in the morning, and of the Revolution, even when it was as outlaws terrorized citizens in the inaccessible! Indeed, it was Facebook evening, the people were united in the and Twitter that created a platform Tahrir (Liberation) Square (which later to gather protesters before they became a symbol for all sit-in venues found their on-ground venue; Tahrir in all cities during the Revolution). Square. When the ousted government The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) in blocked the Internet, and the form of Alexandria, and the Egyptian Museum an organized, highly-communicative in Cairo, were protected by the people, protest was lost, an increasing number and the media was there to relay it all. of citizens who felt isolated and un- informed were urged to participate in As the people of Egypt spent 18 protests demonstrations and sit-ins. days in their quest for freedom, the media was present in the “now worldly The impact of local and international famous” Tahrir Square in Cairo. The media was also evident on Tuesday, brave eyes of the camera could not shy

16 17 BA Highlights 8 February, as it was reported to have militias staying up all night protecting 6 February, as he witnessed more than witnessed one of the largest number neighborhoods, were among those two thousand BA staff return to work, of protestors who took to the streets, as actions reported. Scenes of the youth and spoke to Dr. Ismail Serageldin, millions gathered in Tahrir, Alexandria, cleaning Tahrir Square, and building Director of the BA. As he went through and all Squares in different cities. human shields to protect the Egyptian the Library’s museums, and browsed Museum and the Library of Alexandria, the shelves that hold over one-million Three days before Tuesday, in an were also recorded. books, Robertson reported: “Centuries exclusive interview with ABC Christiane of artifacts and literature, more than Amanpour, Former Vice-President Euronews.net captured the scenes 1,250,000 tourists per year, despite the Omar Suleiman stated that “Egypt of Egyptians forming human shield chaos, volunteers and workers unite to is not ready for democracy”. As the to protect the Egyptian Museum. save Alexandria's famous Library”. interview raised the level of the anger The New York Times also featured an of democracy–seeking protesters, and opinion piece by Mark Meigs from Paris Serageldin spoke to Robertson about was intensely circulated on Facebook saying: “By protecting the Museum, the how both opponents and supporters (the government restored the Internet Egyptian Army showed itself to be on in Egypt’s protests, together with the service on 2 February), Wael Ghonim, the side of order and the preservation BA staff, joined hands in protecting the the admin. of the Facebook group of patrimony, certainly, but also on Library, and how Egypt’s youth, armed “We're all Khaled Saeed”, which had the side of Egypt’s contribution to the only with moral power, saved the Library Demonstrators celebrating the step-down of a major role in organizing the protests, world’s cultural progress”. from potential vandals and looters. “All Mubarak gave an emotional television interview of this was literally at the mercy of the Monday night following his release after According to Reuters Julie Noce, in crowd,” he said. “If people were really “I hope the Library will create power a 12–day detention. a video posted on Reuters website, unhappy with the Library, nobody of change, because by time, every Egyptians were “Rebuilding from the would have stopped to protect it”. idea will manifest itself, such as ideas ground up”. She reported: “Three of freedom of expression and pluralism. days after toppling a three–decades– The BA Director stressed that he had I also hope that historians will also see old regime, Egyptians woke to clean confidence that the Library will be the legacy of this Library, as one of the Tahrir Square. Some people painted protected during the Revolution. “We positive points that emerged during this sidewalks, others donated blood to never built barriers or walls, or gates that period,” added Serageldin. fellow protestors still in hospital following could be locked; the Library is open the “sometimes” violent protests over and is surrounded by glass, nothing can On the pages of the Wall Street the past 18 days”. protect it except the will of the people, Journal, Travel Editor Michael Z. Wise and at the end, that is the ultimate described the Library as a symbol for CNN Nic Robertson was at guarantor of everything, isn’t it?” he the new Egypt. He wrote: “This revived the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on exclaimed. storehouse of knowledge, destroyed at least twice in classical antiquity, has Youth cleaning Tahrir Square ©BBC.com been spared damage in the country's current violent unrest after Egyptian youth held hands last week to form a human cordon around the massive building on the Alexandria Corniche”. By contrast, said Wise, over the past Wael Ghonim at Tahrir Square ©Facebook, The Photo Library of the 25th Egyptian Revolution two weeks anti-government protesters set fire to the Alexandria Governorate It was the culture of peace, and the Headquarters and torched police initiatives of civil protection that drew stations around the city. the media’s attention. After scenes “In less than 10 years of operation, of bloody confrontations in the early the Library has introduced information days of the Revolution, the world could technology considered cutting watch, through the cameras, what edge anywhere on the globe. Its is called the essence of the Egyptian researchers have devised optical Revolution. Protesters chanting character–recognition software for “Peaceful, Peaceful”, and local

18 19 BA Highlights Arabic and digitized key manuscripts for dissemination over the Internet. With some 1.5 million visitors and 700 events last year, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has become a gathering place for scientists, literary figures and other thinkers from around the world,” he reported.

He also noted that the reincarnated Library contains four museums, a planetarium, a children's science center (ALEXploratorium), a Library for the blind, and eight research institutes. “It holds some 1.6 million volumes at present, including a recent gift of 500,000 books from the Bibliothèque nationale de France. The Library has access to 50,000 electronic journals, and it houses one of the few archives in the world of every web page on the Internet, which apparently has managed to remain operative despite the Egyptian Government's shutdown of Internet access during the current unrest.”

Dr. Ismail Serageldin spoke to Wise. He said: “We are spreading the values of democracy, freedom of expression, tolerance, diversity and pluralism that I am hoping are taking root in the young generation.”

Sohair Wastawy, the BA chief librarian until last April and now Dean of Libraries at Illinois State University, also commented on the events in Wise’s article. “We taught a lot of these kids who are demonstrating how to use computers, how to use social media, and I am glad to see it is put to good use," she affirmed.

The BA under the protection of the people.

20 21 BA Highlights inscription analyses, information and a brief description of the monument, in addition to a translation of the inscription.

Content In its initial stage, the project began THE DIGITAL LIBRARY with the documentation of the calligraphies of the group of languages OF INSCRIPTIONS AND that comprises ancient Egyptian, Arabic, Greek, Persian, and Turkish CALLIGRAPHIES languages. In addition to another group of various calligraphies, namely: the Thamudic, the Nabataean, and the Azza Ezzat, Bibliotheca Alexandrina Musnad. As the documentation of the calligraphy of each group of languages is completed, work begins on a new group of languages. igital publications have become a brief descriptions of these inscriptions. one of the means adopted by The Digital Library of Calligraphy and The language of the ancient Egyptians Dthe world today for preserving Inscriptions launched 1500 inscriptions passed through several stages, each cultural and historical heritage. To on 13 August 2009, and this number now of which had a different form of this end, the BA Calligraphy Center exceeds 5000 inscriptions, all available writing. It started with the Hieroglyphic has established an electronic project, for free. calligraphy, which was then simplified which documents and publishes into the Hieratic. Followed by the The website of the Digital Library different ancient inscriptions. This Demotic which was a very short form of Inscriptions and Calligraphies has project is entitled “The Digital Library of of writing used for the purpose of daily a simple design and is easy to use, Inscriptions and Calligraphies”. It is one life. Finally, the Coptic calligraphy so as to enable the largest number of the main goals of the Calligraphy appeared, it was a result of the of researchers to benefit from the Center, which has taken upon itself Hellenic civilization and a mixture of ancient inscription treasures, and to the publication of different calligraphy the Greek and Demotic calligraphies. attain images and references for each styles and inscriptions, especially those Each of these four calligraphies, which inscription. Users can browse easily remaining from the different languages merged under the umbrella of the through the inscriptions on the Digital that influenced Egypt. The Center ancient Egyptian language, left many Library of Inscriptions and Calligraphies, makes all of this available to scientists, monuments and artifacts, which carry as they are categorized according to scholars, and amateurs in the form of ancient engravings reflecting the the original language of the inscription, a simple digital content on the website development of the ancient Egyptian the classification and type of the of the Center. language. monument. Regarding the importance of the Users can also find the required Idea Arabic script, the Digital Library of inscription through an advanced inscriptions compiled a huge amount The Digital Library of Inscriptions and search which enables them to search of Arabic inscriptions. The Arabic Calligraphies is considered a digital using the registration number of the script is considered a mirror of the art archive for the writings and inscriptions inscription, or the place where it is kept, and culture of many centuries during on buildings and monuments throughout or the place where it was found, or the which this language existed among its the ages. These inscriptions are displayed historical period to which it belongs. people. Although Arabic is one of the on the website of the Digital Library of Applying this method, the researcher Semitic languages, it is still the most Inscriptions and Calligraphies in digital can find everything related to the related language to its origin; it did form, which includes images and inscription: high-resolution images, not face what the mixed styles of the

22 23 BA Highlights The Greek alphabet is considered World. The Modern Greek alphabet one of the alphabets used in the Greek consists of 24 letters. language since the ninth century BCE. It is considered the first and original Beside the large amount of the alphabet, in which each vowel and inscriptions recorded in the Digital each consonant is represented by Library of Inscriptions and Calligraphies, a symbol. From Greek alphabet additional inscriptions were published descends all modern European with different scripts such as Nabatean alphabets. The Greek alphabet that originated from the Aramaic script; changed over time, and the letters also inscriptions in Thamodic script that sometimes took different appearances was spread across the North Arabian in the different regions of the Greek Peninsula. Finally, the user will be able to search in other collections of Musnad script. Thamodic script

Arabic script Persian inscriptions

Semitic languages faced. The Arabic The Digital Library of Inscriptions script included many types of scripts deals with a large number of Turkish such as the Kufi script with its different inscriptions. These inscriptions were types comprising simple Kufi, floral Kufi, recorded on permanent monuments, foliated Kufi, square Kufi, and geometric public, religious and military monuments; Kufic; in addition, Thulth script, and the beside transportable antiquities such as Andalusia, Moroccan, and Persian coins and precious stones and others scripts. from international museums. Different types of scripts, such as Thulth script, One of the languages that occupied Persian script, Naskh script, Turgha a large area in the Digital Library of script, and other scripts recorded the Inscriptions is the Persian language. It Turkish inscriptions in the Digital Library appeared and developed in Persia, of Inscriptions. Through the collection of and it is the dominant language in the Turkish inscriptions in the Digital Library Eastern areas of the Islamic World, such of Inscriptions, the user will be able to as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Persia. differentiate between the shapes and Nabatean The Persian language acquired from figures of the letters recorded on these the Arabic language a great deal inscriptions across the different Islamic of its structures, synonyms; and from periods. the Turkish language as well. From The Ancient Greek language is also the Persian language many scripts incorporated in the Digital Library emerged such as Talique, Nastalique, of Inscriptions. It is one of the most and Shekista scripts; and all these prominent languages in human cultural scripts have recorded many of the history, as it was the language of commemorative scripts, foundational the works of Homer, of the historians, writings and manuscripts that are found playwrights and philosophers during in the Digital Library of Inscriptions. the Athenian Golden Age. Also, this language has made a large contribution to the vocabulary of English.

24 25 BA Highlights The Sama’khana is a domed place, binds on the outside walls, in order to with a singular spherical structure where keep together the structure elements, in the Dervishes performed weekly, on case of seismic movements. Also, those Friday evening, the Sama’ rite (that is of strengthening and safety devices were “listening to the cosmic harmony”), by carried on by differentiating the added Artist Giuseppe Fanfoni at the BA a characteristic, slow, rhythmical and elements, and preserving the original rotating movement on a circular course. parts in their structure and technical The significance and the performance function identity. IDENTITY PRESERVATION IN of the rite, which is expressed by the circulating movements, accompanied Fanfoni stated that the most RENEWED USES OF ANCIENT by music and followed by spectators complicated problem regarding the placed all around, are origin and survival of the Sama’khana appeared, MONUMENTS development for the architectural since the beginning of the intervention, and special planning of the building in the fact that it had been built itself. As to the Sunqur Sa’di Madrasa over a part of the ruins of the Sunqur th Sa’di Madrasa, which is one of the Sarah Elhaddad (dating back to the 14 century), whose some ruins were reused for building the most ancient Islamic monuments in overlaying Sama’khana, is an important Cairo, and of great historical and building as well, both with regard to the architectural importance. “We fronted As he spoke at the Bibliotheca historical elements and to the artistic the situation with a long, careful and Alexandrina (BA), on 16 January 2011, peculiarities. gradual operation of excavations and about identity preservation in renewed supportings: without removing any part uses of ancient monuments, he affirmed The restoration expert spoke about of the restored Sama’khana. It allowed that the identity of a monument is the technical identity of the buildings, light into the central courtyard with the essentially definable by its technical, stating that it is recognizable in the former fountain and the surrounding visual and cultural aspects. His lecture structure and in the support of the cells of the Madrasa,” he explained. was followed by an exhibition entitled shape and of the image of a work. Currently, the Sama’khana is supported “Visual Arts and Restoration”, displaying “I have given great attention to keeping by a metallic construction which was his art and images from his restoration the original technical elements of the designed to be insulated from the projects. buildings, in order to give the possibility hanging area in correspondence of deeper research, by future and more with the upper central board for the Fanfoni expounded some reflections modern systems and instruments of Sama’ performance, in order to avoid on fronting the problems of a restorative analysis.” vibrations to the original wooden and conservation operation on ancient structure of the Sama’khana dome. monuments in the respect for their The Sama’khana dome, existing in a identity, referring to the recovery and frail wooden structure of 10 cm only, and Fanfoni also spoke about the identity open by dangerous fissures, was hooped of the visual form of the work. He Giuseppe Fanfoni the current reuse of the Sama’khana (Hall for Listening) building in Egypt, with a sliding band on brackets fixed to mentioned that the intervention and of a part of the Sunqur Sa’di the centers; its shape was recovered concerning the dome was directed ainting, sculpture, interior designing, Madrasa, which is antecedent and to the original aspect by particular both to the recovery of the original architecture, restoration, civil underlying. The buildings are placed technical devices, and strengthened formal identity, and to the conservation Pengineering, construction, material in the great Architectural Complex of by a light wire-netting, which was of the documents recording the most experimentation, and supporting the Mevlevi Dervishes, which is at the incorporated in the external covering significant moments of formal changes. archeological missions, are all fields in foot of the Cairo Citadel and near the and grants unity to the whole of the The check painted on the stopping up which Italian restoration expert and Sultan Hassan Mosque, and occupies a dome. As to the totally wooden structure of the windows were detached, applied (1) artist Giuseppe Fanfoni spent long wide area of about 7500 m, which was of the gallery floor, as it was provided on special frames and replaced in the years of passionate and continuous donated in 1607 to the confraternity of for a more numerous audience than original site. Now a special mechanism commitment that bears the name the Mevlevi Dervishes, who built there in the past, it was suitably reinforced. produces a simultaneous rotation of the “Art”. the Takiyya (monastery). New and differently painted, bearing frames and allows again the daylight beams were added to the ancient illumination from outside, so that it (1)Giuseppe Fanfoni is a Restoration Expert at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, and Professor of Projects at the National Art Institute in Rome (Istituto Statale d’Arte). In Egypt, former professor of Methodology & Restoration ones. Finally, a framework in the roof gives again the image of their symbolic Techniques at Cairo University, and founder of the Italian-Egyptian Center for Restoration and Archaeology. significance to the open windows.

26 27 BA Highlights

Visitors attending the Exhibition

The excavated area of the Sunqur The Sama’khana was built during the On 18 January 1998, after 50 years of remaining and rebuilt ruins of the Sa’di Madrasa appeared seriously Nineteenth Century as the place for the abandonment, and on the proposal wall, to avoid any interference in the damaged because of the time and performance of the Sama’ rite, which of the Turkish and Egyptian Ministries view of their facade, which had been the Mevlevi reuse; therefore, its formal is peculiar to the confraternity of the of Culture, it was performed again in graphically reconstructed symmetrically recovery was carried on with much Mevlevi Dervishes, which was founded the Cairo Sama’khana. It resulted in with the southern side of the court,” said discretion for expository purposes and by the famous mystic poet Jalal-al-Din a touching occasion, which recurred Fanfoni. comprehension of the monument. Rumi. “That is why it is inspired by a deep many times afterwards, and in the most spiritual and religious feeling, which was proper, but not frequent use of the The artist also declared that the “In the courtyard zone, the most supported by a sound philosophical building. recovery and reuse of the whole important discovery resulted in the culture referring to the literary and area has been linked as well to more fiskiyat (fountains) which had been used poetical works of the Founder of the The bare exterior of the masonry complicated didactic and cultural “in situ” during the Tulunide Period. The Order,” he said. “The architectural of the southern wall, reused in activities, by preserving the original perimeter has been recomposed, and features of the Cairo Sama’khana the Sama’khana, documents the character and aims which the buildings the whole central part of the courtyard reflect, better than any other among chronological and historical sequences were projected for, and by granting with the archeological remains, has the remaining few ones, the symbolism of life and utilization changes in the proper use and protection. been isolated and separated from the building. “Inside, in the cells of the and the spiritual message of the rite, Fanfoni concluded that the present path of visitors”. which it was conceived and planned ground-floor of the Madrasa, we placed some showcases with archeological reuse of the Sama’khana is impressed Fanfoni affirmed that the cultural for; a rite so rich of worth, that it has been by an identity as a place of cultural currently included by UNESCO in the list materials, which we found in the area, identity is definable by the origin of by placing them so as not to disturb activities and historical knowledge, a monument, and by the utilization in of the immaterial cultural heritage to be in addition to being a source for preserved”. the frontal view of the cells from the its social context, and in the historical court. Also, in the opposite area of recovering worthiness which seems lost development. the northern cells, we placed other now. showcases at a lower level than the

28 29 Contributions the central nave, which is the largest of icons showing Jesus Christ, the Holy and highest part in the basilica, and Virgin Mary, Archangels Gabriel and contains two important elements: the Michael, various martyrs and other main Mandatum Tank used by the priest for religious scenes. In front of each screen, the service of the feet-washing on the ostrich eggs symbolizing the resurrection Maundy Thursday, during the Epiphany of Jesus Christ are placed hanging. and the Apostles feasts. In fact, the priest in such service is imitating Jesus Behind the wooden screens of any THE COPTIC CHURCH Christ who washed the feet of his church stand the three Eastern Chapels disciples. In some modern churches, a including, in the middle, altars covered ARCHAEOLOGY portable small tank may be used during with napkins and surmounted with small this religious service. wooden ciboria. A chalice is usually placed at the center of the altar. The The second element existing to the altar precedes a semi-circular marble north of the central nave is the marble tribune, sometimes ornamented with pulpit usually decorated with mosaics mosaics. Seats for the bishops and Sherin Sadek El Gendi* and supported by marble columns. the priests are placed according to This is the place in which the priest their religious ranks. The eastern wall of usually stands during the Holy Liturgy. each chapel includes the apse, usually he house of Saint Mark the Apostle In general, the Egyptian churches The ceiling of the central nave of the depicting the figure of Jesus Christ is considered to be the oldest were distinguished by three special Basilica where the worshippers usually Pantocrator(1), sometimes Theotokos(2) TChristian church in the entire world, architectural styles: basilica, Byzantine stand resembles Noah’s Ark. holding the Child, and flanked by from the religious point of view, where and Coptic. Today, the majority of the the archangels or the disciples. It is Moving from the central nave to the Jesus Christ used to meet his disciples. Egyptian churches follow the basilica absolutely forbidden for the worshippers east, there is the Church Choir or the style. In fact, basilica is a rectangular to be inside the eastern chapels. They chorus; an architectural element that According to the Coptic Orthodox building with a main entrance in the must stand or remain in the central nave appeared in the 7th century CE. This is tradition, Christianity was introduced western wall which is the main façade and the aisles. Only the clergy or the the place for where the cantors exist into Egypt by Saint Mark the Evangelist of the church. priests are allowed into these chapels. who founded the first Coptic Orthodox and the deacons participating with The baptistery is located at the north of Church in Alexandria in the first century There are other lateral doors in the the priests and the bishops during the the church. CE. During this period, Egypt was one of northern and the southern walls of Holy Liturgy. In the Choir, there are the provinces of the Roman Empire. the church in order to facilitate the two wooden lecterns where the Holy Inside any basilica, the influence of the movement of the worshippers and Bible rests, in both Coptic and Arabic. ancient Egyptian architecture, taken Following Saint Mark martyrdom, the visitors especially during the feasts. The Choir is separated from the three from the Pharaoh temples, is evident. first Christian generation lived long The main entrance is surmounted by Eastern Chapels by wooden screens This means that while moving from the periods of persecution under the a bell tower, then there is a narthex consisting of small panels joined western main entrance of the church Roman rule, especially during the times (a vestibule) and a central nave together with neither nails nor glue. The towards the eastern chapels, the of Decius, Valerian and Diocletian, until flanked by two aisles. The central nave wooden screens are decorated with ground level increases. Christianity became the main religion is separated from the two aisles by two geometric patterns, floral designs, and Following the Arab conquest of Egypt, in Egypt during the time of the Roman rows of marble columns, sometimes crosses inlaid with ivory and ebony. and especially during the Fatimid Period, Emperor Theodosius during 390/391 with Corinthian capitals. Some of Furthermore, the wooden screens are several Coptic archeological churches CE. Later, the started turning these columns, as well as lintels and covered with red curtains decorated were renovated, that is why the visitor several ancient Egyptian temples into architraves, are taken from the ancient with the figures of the Saint to whom today might observe the influence of churches. Moreover, they covered the temples for the reconstruction of the the church is usually dedicated. Each the Islamic art and archeology in such pagan scenes decorating the interior Coptic churches; that is why these wooden screen consists of a central buildings. walls of these temples by stucco layers architectural elements are different in door flanked by two small windows. over which they painted new wall colors, dimensions and materials. In any church, there are display cases paintings depicting religious topics The uppermost part of each screen including several tubes containing borrowed from both the Old and the Above the lateral aisles are small is also decorated by one or two rows New Testaments. colored windows shedding light on (1) Christ Pantocrator is an icon of Christ represented full or half-lengh and full-faced. He holds the book of the Gospels in his left hand and blesses with his right hand. * Associate Professor of Coptic and Islamic Art and Archeology, Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, Egypt. (2) The Theotokos is the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

30 31 Contributions some of the relics venerated in this During 1882 CE, British A.J. Butler visited Monastery in Sohag, and the Church church. During the Holy Liturgy, the Egypt and wrote his book, published of the Pachomian Monastery at Faw priests use different important tools and in Oxford in 1884, and entitled The Qibli, Qina. The Church of Dendera objects such as cups, fans, spoons, trays Ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt, in is also a good example of the Coptic and special censors to exterminate evil two volumes of the history of the Coptic Church architecture. The other Coptic spirits. Churches. During the same year, the monasteries include one or more French scholar É. Amélineau arrived churches. The number of churches Nowadays, the most ancient and remained in Egypt for about seven varies from one monastery to the other, archeological Coptic Orthodox Church years in order to study also the state of according to the number of monks in Egypt is the of the the Coptic monasteries and churches, residing in it. Holy Virgin Mary in in which and he wrote his book in Paris, in 1893, the Seat of Saint Mark remained for a entitled La géographie de l’Égypte In all these Coptic historical and long time. Here also the Holy Chrism copte. archeological churches, various was prepared three times. This Church important artistic objects were dates back to the end of the Third or the Outside Cairo, the best examples of discovered and are now displayed beginning of the Fourth Centuries CE, the basilica are the large Basilica of at the Coptic Museum and in several and is built over the two southern towers Hermopolis Magna or El-Ashmunein, other international archeological of the Roman fortress of Babylon or Qasr the big church of the Shenoute White museums abroad. All these Coptic El-Shama’ (Wax Candles Palace) as it Monastery dedicated to Saint Shenoute artistic collections made out of ivory, was named by the Arabs following their the Archimandrite, in addition to pottery, metal and wood date from the arrival in Egypt during the 7th century the Church of Saint Bishoi in the Red 4th century to the 19th century CE. CE. Basilica of the White Monastery. In Old Cairo, other main Coptic Orthodox churches are built within the remains of the Roman fortress of Babylon according to the basilica shape, such as the Churches of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Saint Georges, Holy Virgin Mary known as Qasriyat al- Raihan, as well as the Church of Saint Barbara. At the north of Old Cairo, and not far from the Mosque of Amr ibn El-Aas, there are the Churches of Saint Mercurios, Saint Shenute the Archimandrite, and Holy Virgin Mary known as al-Damshiriya. One or two kilometers south of Old Cairo, stand the Churches of Holy Virgin Mary known as Babylon al-Darag, the Monastery of Saint Theodore including his Church, in addition to the Church of Saints Cyr and John, and farther is the Church of the Archangel Michael. During 1671 CE, the French monk Vansleb was sent to Egypt by French King Louis XIV in order to visit and to study the Coptic monasteries and churches.

The main façade and entrance of the Hanging Church of the Holy Virgin Mary in the west.

32 33 Words to Remember

“Egyptians have inspired us, and “The people of Egypt, are the greatest; they’ve done so by putting the lie to and they deserve the Nobel Prize for the idea that justice is best gained Peace.” through violence.” Heinz Fischer Barack Obama

“I’m interested in the Egyptian values, “Massive Demonstrations and National I’m interested in the values of the Flag on the Steps of the Library of Egyptian Revolution.” Alexandria! All the best for Egypt!” John Rees Eugene Shubnikov

“We must consider teaching the “This Egyptian People’s Revolution is Egyptian Revolution in schools.” surely a great contribution to the world David Cameron history and the whole human society.” Tetsuya Ohtoshi

“Amazing, demonstrators line up at “People know they have seen security checks, then enter the Square Egyptians manifest their rightful wish, peacefully to make a revolution.” and they watched Egyptians act with BBC great nobility, maturity and speed.” BA International Friend

“There is nothing new in Egypt. Egyptians are making history as usual.” “Pride and happiness are on your side now.” Silvio Berlusconi Marie Aupourrain

“Today, we are all Egyptians.” Jens Stoltenberg Under the Protection of the People