After 30 years of ruling Egypt, Mubarak is urged to resign power

Nuraldin Ali, 18, international studies, Saddleback College student shares his views regarding the crisis. (Oliver Yu)

After 30 years of ruling Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak, 82, is urged to resign power along with his cabinet.

Egyptians demand a new government in which neither Mubarak nor his supporters will rule.

Mubarak pressured by the riots and chaos in the streets of Cairo, dissolved his cabinet and appointed Omar Suleiman as vice president on Saturday, Jan. 29.

Egypt has not had a vice president since Mubarak took office in 1981. Suleiman is Murabak’s former Chief of Intelligence and well-known in the political arena in Egypt and internationally.

Egypt’s next presidential election is to take place in September. However, Egyptians refuse to wait until then to have Mubarak removed from his position.

In the mean time, the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s most organized opposition movement, has been invited by Suleiman to meet with the new government as part of a national dialogue with all parties.

This action would have not taken place before the riots. The Muslim Brotherhood had been considered a threat by government authorities despite their peaceful means.

President Mubarak said he was tired of 62 years of public services but fears his resignation would bring chaos to Egypt.

In California, students from different colleges and universities gathered outside the Federal Building in Westwood to empathize with their compatriots. Despite their difficulties communicating with their families due to the country’s temporary loss of network they were able to get organized through Facebook and express their support.

Saddleback’s Nuraldin Muhammed Ali, 18, international studies, whose family lives in Cairo said he had no problems communicating with them. However, his relatives are limited to their homes since the streets are in constant danger.

Ali, who lived in Cairo before moving to United States, said America’s freedom is taken for granted. In Egypt, people must watch what they say at all times.

“My cousins had friends who disappeared overnight, to be found in jail the next day” Ali said. “I am opinionated and like to get involved.” But Ali had to learn not to express his thoughts for fear of being arrested.

The Saddleback student also said he wishes these times of turmoil to serve as a transition for Egypt. A transition that results in sustainable peace.

Ali hopes to see Egypt prosper and witness not a blind pride but truly proud citizens who will accomplish freedom and progress on their own, without foreign intervention.

“Egypt mother of Civilization must be more than just a saying,” Ali said. “It must be practiced through order, cleanliness and respect.”

The Egyptian Flag has been the emblem used by most during the protests. According to CIA World Factbook, the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white).

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