The Mugamma

As the demonstrations against SCAF went into the third day on Monday 21 November, a sense of calm prevailed in Midan Tahrir. I walked around the Mugamma (a part of the Midan that I don't usually pass) and found the following street art. Since it has been many weeks since I've walked passed the Mugamma, I can't verify when this street art was created. Because of the words, I am fairly confident that most of this street art was created recently. As you can see, there is white paint under the street art meaning that there is street art underneath that was painted over.

The Mugamma is a symbol of Egyptian bureaucracy. Most foreigners dread it because the building is where they must go to get their visas renewed (and their requests sometimes get denied or more often shortened by several months). The Mugamma itself is a large building that is located on Midan Tahrir in between the AUC downtown campus and the Omar Makram Mosque. There is a large green space in front of the Mugamma and many tents have been set up there. While there are clashes taking place on the side streets near Midan Tahrir, many people have set up camp in the green spaces in Midan Tahrir and have been sleeping here.

Translation: "My weapon is my thoughts."

Translation: "The next Revolution."

Translation: "We wont forget those who died."

Translation: "All of this is just the first wave."

Translation: "The interior (ministry) with the thugs" (El dakhlya bltageya)

The Central Security Forces (CSF) who are battling with the protesters are under control of the Ministry of Interior.

Translation: "Be Careful of the SCAF, it is a dead poison."

The above street art references the famous 1955 Egyptian movie, Life or Death.

In a scene in the film the police announce on the radio, "From the govenor of Cairo to Ahmed Ibrahim [a character in the film]: Do not drink the medicine that you sent your daughter to retrieve. There is a dead poison in the medicine. When you hear this announcement call the police station. And to anyone who knows Ahmed Ibrahim, notify him or call the police station."

Below is a Youtube clip (without subtitles) of the scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjXyhuxrG1g

Not all of the street art is writing, there are many images as well.

Translation: "We came back again"

The man has the word "police" written on him.

Translation: "The dogs howl... and the revolution marches on."