I haven't posted anything for close to a week now, although I have been keepting abreast of matters, and I thought to point out those things that caught my attention or were of special interest during the course of that week.
First of all comes the sentencing and jailing of 10 officials that the courts found guilty of negligence in last year's Bani Suief's theatre fire that took the lives of 46 people, many of whom were prominent and active playwrights, writers, actors and artists.
More on the issue from
The Daily Star - Egypt.
Secondly, my friend Ahmed El Droubi's detention has been extended by State Security Prosecutors for another 15 days. He was also able to smuggle a letter to his friends through which he infomed them of how he feels about the whole affair. More on the detention
here and the full text of the letter
here. There have been
rumours circulating, since yesterday afternoon, that Ahmed is due to be released today or, if not today, then within the next two days. This news is unconfirmed though.
Free Droubi T-Shirts have also
been made available.
More about Ahmed El Droubi and the issue in general, but specifically at AUC,
here.
Thirdly, students, faculty, alumini and employees of the American University in Cairo have declared their solidarity with the Egyptian Judges and plan a teach and stand-in tomorrow to this effect. They have also released
a statement declaring their solidarity with the Egyptian Judges.
Fourthly, the
World Economic Forum has
come to Egypt. I have mixed feelings about the issue but, in all honesty, I haven't been following it closely enough to render an educated opinion. What was found interesting by other bloggers though was Mubarak's apparently harsh not-very-friendly-towards-Americans Inaugural Speech. Here is
the Egyptian Obersever's view on the matter.
Fifthly, the Egyptian stock market seems to be going haywire. More on that
here and *gasp* at
the sandmonkey's.
Sixthly, our beloved President's son visited the US of A. I wonder why? Thoughts on the matter on
the Arabist's Blog and The Daily Star
Reporting and
Analysis.
That's about it for my news compilation. There are, of course, many other things that were of importance (some personal, some not): Judges Mekki and Derbala giving a two-hour talk at AUC with an overview of the situation, its history and their opinions of events along with possible future scenarios. Also, the release of some of the detainees that were incarcerated because of the recent boughts of clashes between protestors and the government... and many more.
Due to personal reasons, I will probably be posting with a much lower frequency for the coming two weeks or so.
But! That's
the way I see it.
Mohammed Sharqawi demanding the release of his fellow detainees.
Central Security conscripts (without batons and shields)
Judge Mekki greeted by the demonstrators
Judge Mekki (Light-colored suit - Left) greets George Ishaq (Kifaya)
AUC Campus surrounded by Central Security Cars
Outside the Journalists' Syndicate (from outside)
Central Security conscripts barricading entrance to Journalists' Syndicate (inside)
AUC Students, Alumni and Faculty during their Silent Stand
