Saturday, November 19, 2011

One Demand

UPDATE, 26 November 2011:
The cartoons were again on The Wall, with some new additions.


Friday 18 November was dubbed "Friday of One Demand," the one demand being the rejection of the super-constitutional principles issued earlier this week by SCAF. More than any other demonstration in Midan Tahrir since my arrival, this Friday was dominated by Islamists. (As a result, some jokingly called the day "Khandahar Friday" because the massive turnout of Islamists.)
The term "Islamist" is vague and often misleading. In that vain, the term "liberal" is misleading as well. Islamist is a broad term that often refers to those who advocate a state based strongly on religion and includes the Muslim Brotherhood (and their political party Freedom and Justice) and the Salafists. Specifically, the term salafist is associated with the Nour Party--the stereotype is that Salafists where the galabiya (long dress for man) and have a beard. The term Salafist, however, literally means a sunni muslim.
It is possible, however, to be both terms at once: you can wear a veil and liberal.
Here is a great map of the Egyptian political parties, cross-referencing the Western left-right spectrum with a religious-secular spectrum. The Egyptian political spectrum doesn't fit into either traditional model.


The Wall was covered in small cartoons painted on white cardboard and taped to the wall. Below is a sample of the cartoons.
Translation: "They will not kill the revolution"
"Revolution" is written on the budding plant; a military boot is attempting to squish it, but the plant pushes through.

Translation:"The Amn Al-Markezi (Central Security Forces) and AlShorta AlAskary (Military police) are one hand."
This cartoon is a spoof of of "The people and the army are one hand,"a popular slogan during the Revolution.


Translation: "The Council [SCAF] strongly supports freedom of opinion."
Field Marshall Tantawi [head of SCAF] is saying these words on State-TV, white shutting-up the satellite news channel Al Jazeera.


Translation:"The Council of the ministers"
In arabic "tartor" has two meanings 1) a hat worn for a birthday party and (very ammeya [Egyptian colloquial] 2) whipped (someone else has complete control over him).
This cartoon suggests that the ministers are completely controlled by the Council [SCAF.]

Translation: "Communique (#9876543)- the Council [SCAF] is sure that it will not stay in power,
dated 2030."
Many disliked the supra-constitutional principles because they enshrined the role of the military in politics; this cartoon is a spoof off of that fear. SCAF has thus far issued 87 communiques, communique#1 was issued on 10 February 2011 (the day before Mubark stepped down). All communiques are available (in Arabic) on SCAF's Facebook page.

Here is an article reviewing some communiques and how the promises that SCAF made in them have been broken.


The cartoons were taken down before nightfall and the following street art took its place.

Translation: "Down with military rule."
The ventilation window on The Wall has been converted into a prison cell, with a raised fist reaching out.

The following pieces of street are around the corner from The Wall.


Translation: "No mediator"
Several portraits are featured, including those of Field Marshall Tantawi and Alaa Abdel Fattah.


Translation: "Mass-murderer of maspero"
Field Marshall Tantawi is the man depicted as the devil.

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