2011 was filled with one of the most memorable revolutions of all time. In January last year, the actions of one Tunisian man sparked fury across the whole of the Middle East.
26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi held a university degree but no job. He became a street vendor selling fruit and vegetables to earn a living, supporting his widowed mother and siblings. Without a license, the authorities confiscated his produce. According to Bouaziz's mother, a police woman insulted and even slapped Bouazizi in the middle of the streets. He became so angry that he set himself on fire.
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| Former Tunisian President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali visited Bouazizi before he died. (Image taken from Al Jazeera news update, YouTube) |
The Arab Spring has witnessed the trial and sentence of Ben Ali (Tunisia's former president ), the resignation of Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak who ruled the country for almost 30 years and recently the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's dictator for over 40 years.
I congratulate the people of the Middle East for their patriotic unwillingness to continue to conform to dictatorship, for their bravery and strength striving for democracy, to end dictatorship and horrific violence of innocent civilians by government officials.
However, the people of Egypt may have ended the Mubarak regime, but violence continues in the Egyptian capital Cairo and in Syria, Yemen and Tunisia.
What are your views on the revolution? Will the people achieve democracy? What happens now, one year later?
Share your experiences, opinions and discussion in the comment box!
There have been many ups and downs in the past year. We have been successful but like you said there is alot more we must yet achieve.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to al the family and friends of those who have lost their lives during this revolution.
Inshallah we will achieve democracy!
I do not like the name Arab spring, I favour the Arab awakening. how Ironic that the western country and america are now celebrating that revolution, but there were the ones selling weapons to those governments to keep their people under control.
ReplyDeleterene