Ibn Zawaar
Embassy Protests - 41
[PHOTO: An ambulance waiting to tend to injured protestors.]
Among the few protestors trying to reach the U.S. embassy, a number of women could be found taking part in the demonstrations. Although the permissibility of their participation is a debatable topic, it should be noted that their presence caused a number of issues for the men present. Part of the problem stemmed from the fact that some of the women who were dressed immodestly (from an Islaamic perspective), with some sporting tight jeans/clothing, donning a keffeya (in place of hijab) and a black headband which read: لا إله إلا الله [There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah]. Although I understand this commentary isn’t exactly the most PC of statements, take into consideration that Egypt is a country with a very strong Islamic culture, and sights such as this will naturally bring about unpleasant reactions/comments from the average Egyptian male.
Of more concern though, were the women who were caught up in the stampedes which occurred every time a tear gas canister was fired. I personally recall one woman (who to her credit was dressed quite modestly), who was unable to keep up with the chaotic crowds. She wound up tripping on the sidewalk, and upon hearing the rumble of the crowd behind her, screamed at the top of her lungs. A couple of brothers had no choice but to make their way through the stampede and pick her up before the crowds trampled all over her. This is a scene which would play out frequently throughout the day, but in different forms.
To tend to protestors who were injured by Interior Ministry officers, a large number of ambulatory units established a makeshift medical camp in one of the streets close to the center of the angry protests. Unfortunately, none of the EMTs were willing to head into the protests themselves (and who could blame them!), so the different brothers who were present (Brotherhood, Salafis, Jama’aa Islameyya, etc.) – having no interest to take part in the violence, found themselves running around, helping support/carry people who weren’t able to move for one reason or another. With some protestors, the effects of the tear gas were so intense, they temporarily lost the ability to see clearly, with some yelling, “I CAN'T SEE, I CAN'T SEE!” Others, began experiencing breathing difficulties, and thus were unable to move/run effectively as they panted, “I ... CAN'T ... BREATHE, I ... CAN'T ... BREATHE!”
The response of the Islamists varied depending on what the situation was. If a person was just experiencing minor symptoms of tear gas exposure, the brothers would just take the person to a quiet corner until they calmed down. If a person’s condition was severe enough, one or two brothers would support them (one under each shoulder) until they made it to the medical corner.
Embassy Protests - 41
[PHOTO: An ambulance waiting to tend to injured protestors.]
Among the few protestors trying to reach the U.S. embassy, a number of women could be found taking part in the demonstrations. Although the permissibility of their participation is a debatable topic, it should be noted that their presence caused a number of issues for the men present. Part of the problem stemmed from the fact that some of the women who were dressed immodestly (from an Islaamic perspective), with some sporting tight jeans/clothing, donning a keffeya (in place of hijab) and a black headband which read: لا إله إلا الله [There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah]. Although I understand this commentary isn’t exactly the most PC of statements, take into consideration that Egypt is a country with a very strong Islamic culture, and sights such as this will naturally bring about unpleasant reactions/comments from the average Egyptian male.
Of more concern though, were the women who were caught up in the stampedes which occurred every time a tear gas canister was fired. I personally recall one woman (who to her credit was dressed quite modestly), who was unable to keep up with the chaotic crowds. She wound up tripping on the sidewalk, and upon hearing the rumble of the crowd behind her, screamed at the top of her lungs. A couple of brothers had no choice but to make their way through the stampede and pick her up before the crowds trampled all over her. This is a scene which would play out frequently throughout the day, but in different forms.
To tend to protestors who were injured by Interior Ministry officers, a large number of ambulatory units established a makeshift medical camp in one of the streets close to the center of the angry protests. Unfortunately, none of the EMTs were willing to head into the protests themselves (and who could blame them!), so the different brothers who were present (Brotherhood, Salafis, Jama’aa Islameyya, etc.) – having no interest to take part in the violence, found themselves running around, helping support/carry people who weren’t able to move for one reason or another. With some protestors, the effects of the tear gas were so intense, they temporarily lost the ability to see clearly, with some yelling, “I CAN'T SEE, I CAN'T SEE!” Others, began experiencing breathing difficulties, and thus were unable to move/run effectively as they panted, “I ... CAN'T ... BREATHE, I ... CAN'T ... BREATHE!”
The response of the Islamists varied depending on what the situation was. If a person was just experiencing minor symptoms of tear gas exposure, the brothers would just take the person to a quiet corner until they calmed down. If a person’s condition was severe enough, one or two brothers would support them (one under each shoulder) until they made it to the medical corner.