"Panic in Tahrir" and an Appeal for Arabic Translation
First, the Internet's back on in Egypt.
Second, an appeal: I don't read Arabic. Just as Al Jazeera has dominated (and shaped) our perception of what's happening in Egypt and what it means, a few influential English-language Twitterers are shaping our perception of public sentiment in Egypt. Not a thing wrong with them trying to do that--I very much appreciate that they're trying to keep the world informed. But they're not everyone in Egypt. Just by virtue of the fact that they're writing in English, they're atypical. More to the point, Mona Eltahawy, for example, is no more in Egypt right now than I am. So she may be missing the subtleties and probably is.
Who here reads Arabic? Who wants to help me figure out what else people are saying?
Here's what seems to be going on, from the English-language Tweets:
TravellerW Real panic in tahrir. Square overun by Mubarak drmonstrstion #Egypt #jan25
TravellerW INCREDIBLE standoff between pro-change and pro-Mubarak demos at Tahrir NOW #Egypt #jan25 http://twitpic.com/3vqkcp
SultanAlQassemi I have noticed a sudden appearance of pro-Mubarak & pro-NDP twitter users? Do you know how much they are being paid? @Sarahngb @Sandmonkey
Falasteeni To the ppl of Egypt: if u believe Mubarak now, youlll never get rid of his regime. We Palestinians learned from trusting the PLO #jan25
Mohammed Akef of the Muslim Brotherhood on Al Arabiya "We have been with the protesters from the first day but we refused to carry slogans"
Falasteeni I hope the heroes on the ground in Egypt realize that if they relent now, the regime will make them pay in blood. #jan25
Dima_Khatib Yes Pro-Mubarak rally does have government employees etc but I am hearing they also managed to gather some scared people #egypt #jan25
Sandmonkey The mood in Egypt today is different. Too many people still beholden to the mentality of slaves. This is so frustrating. #jan25
3arabawy We r at very critical stage. The counterrevolution is out in full steam. You will collect our dead bodies from garbage bins if we don't win.
(All of the following are from SultanAlQassemi)
The blood of over 150 killed & thousands of injured protesters over the past ten days will be whitewashed in the name of stability. #Jan25
Following the televised addresses of Mubarak, Obama & the Army it seems the tide is turning against the Egyptian opposition & protesters.
Reports that Blackberry services are working in Egypt again from @bencnn
DPA: Egypt military sends text messages: "protect" your country http://bit.ly/fdOXz6 This is why they restored mobile services
Army Statement "The Army requests protesters to return to their homes so that stability is returned to Egypt"
Army Statement "You have the power allow Egypt to return normal life. We are with you. We will continue to secure our country"
Egyptian Army Statement now "Are we able to walk on the street safely? Can we go to work, or take our children to schools?"
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: "Panic in Tahrir" and an Appeal for Arabic Translation
Hey Claire, I'm snowed out of school today and with a lot of time on my hands. I have a moderately decent grasp of the language. I know how to write it and pronounce it, and can read a good deal of it. For what I don't know, I have an Arabic-to-English dictionary. I'm by no means an expert, but if you have any links to Arabic blogs/twitter/etc, I'd be happy to take a look.
Jun '10
Re: "Panic in Tahrir" and an Appeal for Arabic Translation
"But they're not everyone in Egypt."
Exactly true. Every single tweet, every single commentary (both here and abroad) carries the messenger's own perspectives and prejudices.
Re: "Panic in Tahrir" and an Appeal for Arabic Translation
Byron, I can't even give you a guide to Twitter in Arabic--I can't even guess: Why don't you see who the top English-language Twitterers are following in Arabic and start there?