Eman AbdElRahman wrote about how the Egyptian blogosphere reacted to Al Hussein bombs on February 22 that resulted in the death of a French tourist and the injury of more than 20 people. Today, I will write about a group of Egyptian bloggers and their initiative to combat terrorism. Spring wrote on his blog this invitation:
إحنا المصريين بنحب بعضنا و بنحب بلدنا. شايفين اللي حصل في الحسين من كام يوم؟ حركة خايبة آخر حاجه. تيجوا ندعم بلدنا و نبين للعالم اننا بنحبها؟ تروح كلنا للحسين يوم الخميس الجاي. غالبا كل اللي هايقرا الكلام ده هايوافقني ، ماحدش هايرفض الا اللي عايزين خراب البلد ..أيوه لازم كلنا نروح هناك ، نصلي في الحسين ، نقعد على قهوة و نشتري حاجه من خان الخليلي ، ننفع الناس يعني و نحيي المكان .. لازم كلنا نلبي الدعوة ، دي مصر اللي بتدعينا. ها قلتوا ايه؟ خلوا معادنا مع مصر يوم الخميس خراب مصر مش هانسمح بيه أبدا.خمسين مليون مصري في الحسين يوم الخميس خدامينك يا مصر
We Egyptians love one another and are in love with our country. Have you seen what happened in Al Hussain a few days ago? What a stupid move! Let's support our country and show the whole world how much we love her. Let's go to Al Hussain on Thursday. I am sure that most of those who will read this post will agree with me with the exception of those who want to bring Egypt to its downfall. Yes .. we all have to go there, pray in the historical mosque, sit in a coffee shop, buy something from Khan El Khalili, let's help the vendors and revive the place … we all have to obey the call for it is our beloved Egypt that is calling upon us. So what do you say? Are we set for Thursday? I want to see 50 million Egyptians in Al Hussein on Thursday in the service of Egypt.
The same group of bloggers created a Facebook group to spread this message. Another group of bloggers who name themselves 14 February Movement who put Egypt First started another initiative that took place on March 1. A Flower for Each Tourist aims at showing tourists that they are welcomed in Egypt. Photos of the event could be found here and the video is here. Their final word was:
في حب مصر إلتقوا هؤلاء الشباب وإنتشروا في منطقة الحسين فكانوا كالورد يفووحون روائح طيبة بعثت النشوي في نفوس المصريين أصحاب البازارات والبسمه في وشوش السياح والطمأنينه في قلوب رجال الشرطة المتوجسين خيفه من أي تجمع حتي ولو كان بالشكل الذي فعلوه شل الله يد كل جاحد مريض تمس يده بلدنا بالأذي
In the love of Egypt, those young bloggers and Facebook users visited Al Hussian handing out flowers and a genuine welcoming smile to tourists. They spread joy in the hearts of bazaar owners, happiness on the faces of tourists, comfort and security in the hearts of alert policemen.
