Egyptian Women's Union is not Nawal El Saadawy's Union!!

نريد أسرة ديموقراطية لا سلطة مطلقة فيها لأى فرد الأب أو الأم أو غيرهما

Which means “We want a democratic family/country with no absolute power to a certain person be it the father or the mother!”

These words were in the opening words of a new Facebook page that is titled “Egyptian Women Union” and another one ; “Egypt’s Women Union – Germany” with the picture of Nawal El Saa’dawy on its main page.

So isn’t Nawal El Saa’dawy a person? Why is her picture identifying this union whatever it is? Is it El Saa’dawy’s union? So if I’m interested in such a union, I have to know that I am in Nawal El Saa’dawy’s one? If we need a real life symbol for such a union, we have the pictures of the hundreds and thousands of Egyptian women who have actually been participating in the revolution – Like the Revolution Women’s Coalition – or these “Women of Egypt” pictures, we have the pictures of the female revolutionary martyrs, we have so many figures. And the fact that some people look up to Nawal El Saa’dawy and they want her picture to represent what they are doing, the shouldn’t mention this “No absolute power” thing because I personally see it contradictory, especially when you check out the links in the page and you find out that the international image that whoever making the page is trying to build is that it is something that is closely related to El Saa’dawy.

What if I am an Egyptian woman who believe in each and every cause Egyptian women have been fighting for, and I would like to be part of such a union and help if I can, but I am not willing to be in anything that is related directly to Nawal El Saa’dawy? There’s a difference between working together despite our differences for the bigger cause because we both work for the bigger cause, and working for the bigger cause through and along with someone’s specific image!! Not to mention Saa’dawy’s image!!

I’m sorry Dr. Saa’dawy; you don’t and you shouldn’t own the Egyptian Women Union or any other way to unite Egyptian women under your name. This is not proper and I personally don’t accept it.

I don’t think I can ever work on something that is your image, does this mean, I won’t be able to part of the Egyptian Women “Union”??

I just don’t get it and I don’t like it!

We have passed this time when only one person can own ideas, dreams, visions, not to mention, people, especially women. Egyptian women don’t need to be lead or guided in their own union. This is just a new form of patriarchy that I don’t accept!!

Keep your score!

what is the name of that circular thing that you target with darts? Oh yea, ME!!!

How many shields you have unshielded, how many times you have proven me wrong about myself, or how many hidden flaws that you smartly discovered about me!

keep you score!

“You are not who you think you are.” “I know you!” “see? hahaha, gotcha!”

keep your score!

Wasn’t it obvious? Did it need explanation? You think you would have ever won with me if I didn’t want it?? You are soooo wrong!

Keep your fake score!

I will submit when I want, how I want, to whom I want. There’s no other way around it. Don’t just fool yourself you took anything by force from me. You would be really surprised!

Bravo! Happy with your score?

You have used all your darts, and I have been catching them from the other side, and you have been celebrating this given victory. And now you are thinking you point that score in my face??!! Fine!

Hope you are happy with that score, cause it’s all you’ll ever get!


And one more thing, I’m not a checklist target

How to vote for my blog?

Thanks to Khaled Nadim, I have now an illustration for what you should do to vote for me.

Please remember that the vote is daily, and you can vote with either your facebook or Twitter accounts.

Thanks to Khaled, and Thanks to aaaaaaaall my friends :)

Some great news ... I need your support

Dear friends,

I have some really good news. My Arabic blog, The Violet Revolution” has been nominated for best Arabic blog for the BOBs blogging contests.

I need your support and votes as much as possible please

How to vote?

1-    Go to this link here:

http://thebobs.dw-world.de/en/category/start/

2-    Log in from the right with either your facebook or Twitter accounts

3-    Pick the category “Best blog Arabic”

4-    Then pick my blog “the violet revolution

Thanks a lot in advance, I’m sooooo happy

International Women's Day ... for all Egyptians!

Hello everyone, every woman, every man, every Egyptian.

As you may already know, today is the international Women’s Day which is a very special day for me. It’s when all women all over the world try to highlight the main issues from which we suffer. And also point out the specific ones.

I have been fighting domestic violence against women for long time now and I still am, but I find it hard to talk it about at the same time all Egyptians were hit, kicked, ran over, and shot by police. The same time we are being attacked by thugs now, and at the same time we are electrified by the militants every now and then!

Today I will not be an Egyptian women, today I’m an Egyptian.

And as I have been saying for so many times;

VIOLENCE IS NOT OK AND DOES NOT HAVE AN EXCUSE

I would like to salute all Egyptian women and men who have been fighting police, injustice, corruption, and even their fellow Egyptians who are so immersed in the corruption that they are no longer able to be struck by it!

I chose to look for the bigger picture and just point out my frustration by neglecting women role in the constitution reforming committee, which included only men, as to put aside any battles that will distract us from the main bigger goal … The Revolution.

But I think now is the time to say it loud, stating a constitutional amendment that will prevent women from the possibility of running for presidential elections is not and will not be accepted.

But you know why I am not worried? Because I know that the men who were right beside me from day 1 eventually will not allow it either. Some of them might be reluctant to speak it up, but when the time comes when you have to take a stance, they will not accept it … Am I not right? :)

It's worth adding that I just received now a link to the whole constitution amendments that are to be voted upon, and language speaking it doesn't make the president a man at all. I'll keep on researching about them, and keep you posted!

Happy international women’s day to all Egyptians!

God bless us all, and God bless the revolution!

The demands of the Egyptian revolution at Tahrir Square

Demands for an immediate response:

1. The resignation of President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak

2. The abolition of Emergency Law

3. Abolition of the State Security Investigation

4. The Declaration of Mr. Omar Soliman’s commitment not to run for the presidency in the upcoming presidential election

5. Resolve the People's Assembly and Shura Council

6. The release of all detained since Jan. 25

7. End the curfew for the return of normal life in all parts of the country

8. Cancellation of the University guards

9. Proper Investigations for those responsible for the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators since January 25, and the bullying that followed the January 28

10. Dismissal of Anas ElFikky and stop the surge and the threat of treason accusations in the media against the revolution, and stop inciting hatred against foreigners in the streets

11. Compensate shopkeepers for their losses during the curfew

12. Broadcasting the demands above through Radio and Television.

The demands of the transitional period:

1. Drafting a new constitution

2. The right to publish newspapers without prior authorization, as well as TV and radio stations

3. Implementation of the rule of the minimum wage in 1200 c – “21 606 administrative rule”

4. The right to form political parties by notice

5. The right to establish trade unions and associations by notifice

6. Achieve true independence of the national newspapers, radio and television stations with all the requisite legislation and restructuring of institutions and ministries

7. Cancel the performance of national service in the police

8. Stop security control over communications and Internet

 

Bloggers from Egypt

Help us Locate Ziad Bakir

A friend’s brother is missing since last Friday the 28th and we need to spread the news as much as we can to find him. I am sure there a loads more missing but Ziad is the only one I know. Info attached below:

Ziad Mohamed Bakir
Artist and graphic desinger at the Cairo Opera House
Missing since the 28th of January 2011
If you have any information, kindly call 016 8411 425

Girls Can Blog interviewed me. Yaaay!

Last month, I had the honor of being interviewed by German fellow blogger Annina Schmid for her amazing “Girls Can Blog’.

I loved it so much and hope you like it too.

What's your name, how old are you, and what do you do for a living (or all day, for that matter)?

I’m Eman Hashim, 29. I’m a Pediatric Ophthalmologist.

How long have you been blogging? How did you get around to blogging?

I've been blogging since 2006, but that was personal stuff. It was all about venting away my anger about society, so I guess I can say I started blogging as self therapy. I started my first widely spread blog in January 2008.

Here’s the whole interview

What a year! No words for it!

I’ve been trying to write this post for days with no luck, then I realized that I was avoiding it, cause it’s probably one of the hardest things I will have to write about.

How can I write about this year? Short version? Long one? Month view? By days? By problems? By tears? I don’t remember I was that unhappy like I was in 2010, yet I can’t just say it was an unhappy year.

Let’s see, Quick version? OK. In 2010, I lost my place, my savings, my family so-called bond, who are thought-to-be friends, and was close to lose one of my sisters. I got my heart broken, and I lost track of life and control over anything happening to or with me. I don’t remember I ever cried that much, and I don’t know a time when I was that consciously scared. I knew I am loved, and that I am hated, and I realized why exactly that happens.

More detailed version? Fine.

I started this year with a conclusion that the “Sinister Spinster” is a stage, and I had to evolve. Like any other big decision that I've taken, it was a moment when I knew I want to start a new voice and a moment to reach a name!

Throughout 2010, I read so much about women, violence, and violence against women. I knew a lot of dedicated women, and so many fake ones too. I knew this is what I wanted to live for, and this is what I wanted to do. I found my passion!

But as everything this year, I couldn’t peruse it as I wanted, and I knew what it takes to “part of the system”, and as I was never part of any system, I couldn’t do it. But then again, I came very closer to what I want to do, and how I want to do it.

Coming closer to the world of civil work here in Egypt, it was clear how we live in a very nasty world. Personal agendas, bigger agendas, previous back falls and preferences control what should be only about one thing; People!

Speaking of people, I met a lot of new people this year, all very special. All managed to have part of how special this year is.

Finally, I finished my masters first part examination only when I was certain I didn’t want to be a doctor. Ain’t she interesting? I mean life. I knew what I didn’t like about medicine in Egypt and why I would never fit in this field. Don’t get me wrong, but I hate doctors! I hate how they feel they are the masters of the universe, the smartest, the greatest, and most successful, while in Egypt we all know it is most of the time a big fat joke, and the patient is the last concern. But part of me was always asking if that was because I really thought so, or because I was exhausted from studying and that I was burnt out in the academic part and if I was just trying to find myself a less embarrassing way out. Honestly, I thought there was at least a small part of that, till I found my current job, which is medical, and which I am not going to talk about for now. I found myself hungry for information and willing to study again.

This year I allowed myself to be a rebound, and it broke my heart. I slipped into being that person that scared me. I felt everything I ever wrote about, that I didn't want to feel, and I took all the risks that I should take, and now I know I wasn’t coward and for that, I have no regrets.

I learnt new words; Intense, Orthodox, Warm, and Intimidating. For some time I used to think being intimidating is sure a flattering feeling. I learnt it is one of the worst things ever, for I feel like a monster, just because I am me! But then I became certain that the closer I will get to myself, the more of this will happen, and the more grateful I should be. It became clear to me that my honesty with myself is the mere reason why some people accuse me of lying. "We live in a fake-oriented society" One very person once told me , and he couldn't be more accurate. And after thinking a lot of why it is that hard to assume honesty, I knew that that was wasted time, and I should not care, because they need to believe no one could be that honest, or else they'll face their unreal world, and their "traces and hints" of personalities!

I knew the value of friends, and the true meaning of friendship. I knew that the people who agree with what I do, and support me for it are good friends, but s/he is the great friend whose support is not conditioned. For I don’t have to do what you agree with to get your support if you are my true friend. Because it is about me, not about you and what you believe or don’t believe in!

I got in touch with a new depth of praying, and I knew, felt, smelled, and saw, that God is there, here and everywhere. And I think this is the best thing that happened this year.

I gained weight, then lost it, then gained even more, then lost all and reached my best, then gained it all again, and now I’m struggling to lose it.

This year one of my sisters had a very big car accident and was so close to lose her life. Thank you God for saving her. After seeing her car after the accident, I looked at her standing, talking, and in one piece, and I couldn't believe it for a few seconds.

September 16^th 2010. I don’t think I will forget this day. When my life as I knew it literally fell over my head. I remember crying, and I remember not being able to cry anymore. I remember lying on my back, with no single clear thought except that I couldn’t take it anymore. I went through all the long roads of despair, tried hard to reach this final destination; Letting go… I couldn’t. That wasn’t bravery, I was so scared to let go, I heard the little voice in my head saying “You don’t have it in you” and “You wouldn’t dare doing it, even if you wanted!”

Letting go was a luxury at that moment by the way, it was not an option, though it was what I back then wished I could do.

Bit by bit, starting from October, things started to get very slowly better, then much much worse, then the worst ever, then the storm – like any other storm- started to calm down.

I can’t claim I am all happy now, because there’re a lot of mixed emotions in my heart, and blurred prints on my soul. I know they exist, but can’t define them yet. But it’s OK for now. 

Now … I’m emotionally exhausted, physically burnt, mentally challenged, and so overwhelmed by the so many highs and lows. But I’m thankful it’s over, looking forward to the next, grateful for my friend (yes, only one), and content I can now say …. “Thank you God!”

Note: I hate how much I had to say the word “I” but could not help it.

The Peace of the Wild Things

Dedicated to Marwa Rakha. My companion, my inspiration, and my friend!

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.

I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

This poem is mistakenly attributed to William Blake but the truth is it is by Wandell Berry (1934-present) and it's titled The Peace of the Wild Things 

Increasing Muslim Women’s Significance through Mediatization, Part II

Yesterday, I went over the presentations at the NVIC conference “Female Actors in the Egyptian Islamic Public Sphere-Increasing Significance through Increasing Mediatization;” today, I’ll cover the speakers’ day.

Four female speakers were invited, representing different messages and perspectives. The speakers were Dalia Younis, a final year medical student who is the moderator for her mother’s website and preaching business; Dr. Suzan, a neurophysiology professor who is also a female preacher; Kawthar Kholy, the head of the social department in OnIslam; and myself. -- More

Increasing Muslim Women’s Significance through Mediatization, Part I

A very interesting workshop was organized on November 24-25 by the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC) titled: “Female Actors in Islamic Public Sphere – Increasing Significance through Increasing Mediatization.” This was a great conference, and I wish I could recap it all for you. But I’ll keep my review to the media-related panels. --- More

A day in the real life!

After spending a day in the real world, I found out it’s still the same;

-         Men still wait till their ex’s wedding week to confess they couldn’t get over them and they loved them.

-         Women still don’t say what they want, but they get angry when they don’t get it.

-         People still find it easier to live miserable than to speak up about how they truly feel!

-         Mothers still think they own their children like dolls, they feed them, bath them,  and treat them like little girls treating dolls …they are theirs!

-         Married people talk about sex as if it’s Physics class; too complicated if you get into it, and won’t be of use if you understand it. At the end of the day, it has only one “mission” !

-         A lot of people are still not aware that most the cafes waiters are highly educated with a university degree, but they just don’t have parents to get them jobs and support them till they die!

-    A lot of people are actually still a bunch of wanna-be’s and look- alikes with every fake hint of someone else’s life!

-         Egyptians believe in Artificial Intelligence. They do, otherwise why would they press on the elevator button harder when they are in hurry? or press it every second? It’s because they are sure the elevator will get the message that they are in a hurry and come faster!!!

-         Women think it’s high-class to wear accessories on your hair, neck, hands, ears, ankles, purses, and clothes!

-         Some men still think it’s impressive not to have an opinion of his own, since by that everyone is his friend, and no one is his enemy! In other words, they think being colorless is sexy!!

-         Men still  confuse mucho with bossy as much as women mix sexy with bitchy!

-         Women still think they need men in their lives to feel feminine!

No wonder I moved to Twitterland and happy there.