Identity Magazine: Special Coverage – Interview with Khaled Abol Naga #Jan25 #Egypt

Identity Magazine: Marwa Rakha's Special #Jan25 Revolution Coverage

March/April 2011

Khaled Abol Naga

Actor and Human Rights Activist

This Revolution started with a ripe collective conciseness that we – all Egyptians – have had enough of Mubarak’s regime, enough corruption, enough state police brutality, enough poverty and unfair distribution of wealth, and enough lies and segregating rumors by state media. We all knew Egypt deserves way better and those who stayed hopeful and optimistic kept the possibility of change alive; they kept the hope in the hearts of Egyptians growing even in the midst of the darkest days –  till the moment of truth came.

This Revolution started by those who called for Change, Freedom and Social justice – the 3 keywords that triggered a dormant Egyptian Gene! They moved millions instantly all over Egypt to join in one of the most incredible modern times revolutions. It’s an outstanding historical experience that we are all in awe of.

I don’t think I will ever be proud of anything more in my life than this;  being one of the millions of my fellow Egyptians rising up and standing up PEACFULLY chanting “SELMEYA SELMEYA”  in the face of propaganda campaigns accusing us of treason and more, in the face of tear gas bombs, rubber bullets, live bullets, kidnapping, repression, torture, detention, and murder; yet All of us were determined to change Egypt once and for all to what it really deserves, to where it really belongs, to join the human civilization once again, to be PRESENT, to be HEARED, and to be FREE!

I participated like every one of the Millions of Egyptians who did – for the hope of a better Egypt, for Change, for Freedom, for Social justice, and for setting up a true democratic civil and modern state.

We all wanted to end corruption bleeding Egypt's wealth to few, to end police brutality and repression, to end state media and press manipulation and LIES and Fear mongering messages, and above all, to end the cycle of FEAR and believe in the Egyptian people power and will.

Worst Moments:

The killing orders from top down: from Mubarak through Tantawy till the officers in TAHRIR. (Now we have witnesses to this) What a shame! What a shame!

I break into hysterical crying episodes just remembering the dead fellow Egyptians asking for change, freedom, and social justice.

Happiest Moments:

1. Every moment I spent in Tahrir was among the best moments I lived in my life.
2. Feeling the great unity of the Egyptians; men and women, kids and youth, Copts and Muslims, educated and non, and poor and well off – Aalll
3. I felt I regained my country back from a regime that hijacked it for decades

Lessons Learnt

1. All forces of stability stem from the Egyptian people.
2. All forces of chaos and instability comes from the regime
3. We managed to keep our country safe while the regime plan was to create chaos and spread terror and lies so we all grow FEAR again. But the people knew better.
4. I LOVE how smart Egyptians are, and I am proud of Egyptians so much for their guts to break those barriers of Fear once and for all.
5. Love will prevail – God Bless our Free Egypt.