The authoritarian regimes of the Arab world are against a wall of protest calling for regime change. These protests are popular and represent most walks of life and religious beliefs. The freedom fighters of Tunisia and Egypt are their models and they are determined to bring down the repressive ruling kings or presidents and install a government which will represent the people.
More than 30 protesters are dead in this week’s clashes with authorities- 24 in Libya, 5 in Bahrain, 2 in Iran, 3 in Yemen.The Bahraini freedom fighters were at first calling only for a new prime minister and government, but after the ferocious attack by the Bahraini police on the peaceful protesters assembled in Pearl Square, they are now calling for the overthrow of the Al-Khalifa sunni ruling family. Their march planned for Saturday has been postponed until Tuesday because of the days of mourning for their shiite dead. More than 200 are estimated to have been injured by the police. Turkey has called for the Bahrain regime to respect the rights of their citizens.
In Libya, Colonel Khaddafi, a repressive and unpredictable ruler during the last 42 years, made a brief open-car tour of the capital late last night, and his “revolutionary committees” are warning the protesters to expect fierce responses if they continue. These committees, the feared permanent secret police of the Khaddafi regime, are present in every Libyan city. Human Rights Watch has condemned the brutality of Khaddafi’s response.
France announced today that it has suspended all “security materials” to Libya and Bahrain.
In Yemen, 27 have been injured, along with 7 dead, in grenade and firearm attacks by the government against protesters calling for the end of the 32-year rule of the president Saleh. Despite these attacks, the Yemeni freedom fighters are continuing their marches in support of higher wages and better social services in the poor country of 23 million people.
True to its twisted sense of justice, the Iranian leadership has called for the death by hanging of the two leaders of the opposition, Moussavi and Karoubi.
Jordan has seen the marches continue, but King Abdullah has already started to respond to their demands. Here, the attackers are mostly government supporters who try to stop the young marchers who are asking for political and social reform.
In northern Iraq, two young men were killed while marching to protest against the regional government. A parliamentary inquest has been demanded by the Kurds in the region.
Even Syria has been touched according to internet reports stating that more than 100 young protesters marched in Damascus against police brutality.
Meanwhile, Friday prayers in Tahrir Squarein Cairo were peaceful. Many thousands listened to the remarks of Sheikh Youssef Al-Qardauoi, a Muslim cleric respected all over the Arab world, as he called on Arab governments not to try to stop history, but to listen to their people. Tahrir Squarein Cairo were peaceful. Many thousands listened to the remarks of Sheikh Youssef Al-Qardauoi, a Muslim cleric respected all over the Arab world, as he called on Arab governments not to try to stop history, but to listen to their people.
Good advice. But, dictators are not often good listeners.
The freedom fight goes on. We have all the freedom fighters and martyrs in our thoughts and we support the god-given right of Arab and all people to choose their own governments.
I feel sure I speak for Americans, French and all decent people in sending a message of support. You are not alone.
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