Protesters at the Egyptian Embassy in The Hague. Courtesy of ANP.

When the Egyptian revolution started on January 25, 2011, many people were going through mixed feelings and conflicting ideas. Some were enthusiastic, while others were against the protesters even though they knew that their demands were 100% justified and answered to everyone’s needs in society.

The uprising was something that millions, specifically youth, in Egypt and in the region just itched for.

After Mohamed Bouazazi, Tunisia rose. Inspired by Tunisia’s revolution, which brought their dictator Ben Ali of 23 years down in 23 days, Egyptians felt a nudge and they too woke up from a deep sleep. They too brought down their dictator of 30 years in just 18 days. It was not easy for us by all means, but we did it. And, we proved our potential to the world.

Many of the people in Egypt have asked some of the educated, well-off youth who helped start the movement, “why do you care if you aren’t living in poverty?”

On January 26, 2011, a day after the pro-democracy protests in Egypt began, an Egyptian man tried to immolate himself in front of the Egyptian Embassy in The Hague, in the Netherlands– just minutes away from where I live. Days later, protests in solidarity with the Egyptian people erupted in the Netherlands and in several countries around the world.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, wherever you are, instability will reach you. This is one world, it’s one pain, and it’s one planet. In Egypt, you could be driving your car to work, school, or just walking down the street and you’ll find a beggar child or woman. You can also find children searching through the trash for food. When our youth realized that there is something they can do to bring down the corruption, they did not hesitate. They put their lives on the line and kept pushing and pushing till they completed the first step.

Aside from that, we care because we love Egypt. We also care because stripping someone of their basic human rights takes away their dignity. We care because we can no longer stand and watch injustice, especially when there is something we can do about it. We’ve all felt injustice at one point and wanted the chance to cry out against it and defend ourselves. Whether you realize it or not, it does affect you, whether its psychologically, economically, physically, or emotionally… it does matter and it will directly affect you one day. For years, history has proven this fact because we al know that history repeats itself. Ben Ali stepped down after 23 years because his nation cried out against his crimes and injustice. As a dictator, he became history. Shortly after, history repeated itself again. Egypt cried out and then Mubarak stepped down.

Many of our parents and grandparents simply wished for the chance to witness it in the making. And, who can blame them? For 30 years, open dialogue in Egypt was not accepted.  Ideas weren’t even allowed to be proposed, unless of course they were the ideas of the ruling family and their cronies. For 30 years, those who said anything against the regime or even proposed different ideas risked being exiled, jailed, beaten, or even killed. For 30 years, little or no reform  –of any kind–  developed in the country. Which is no surprise. You can’t expect change when you’ve had the same stream of corrupt, worn-out ideas flowing constantly with no end, with no one questioning it even or demanding it to stop.

Now the day has come.  After 18 days of constant protests, police brutality, and 350 martyrs later, on February 11, 2011, Mubarak finally stepped down. It was a hard road and Egyptians, influenced by their brave Tunisian neighbors, broke the barrier of fear.

The long-term benefits will not only open doors to a prosperous future for Egypt’s youth, but they will also allow the muffled cries of those in the region to finally be heard. The uprising will also show many in Western nations a side of the Middle East that they never even thought existed. It has shown the world that the Middle East has had enough. Enough of their own dictators, and enough of the Western world supporting their oppressors. They’ve had enough of the suffocation and of being labeled as something that they are not. Our own government in Egypt labeled us as ignorant, “not ready for democracy,” and extremists. They labeled us these things to justify their oppression. To use this as an excuse to control us and not allow us any breathing room.

Yes, it will take time for democracy, but it won’t take time for change. Change is here. We have no excuse any more. Now, when you express your frustration, someone will at least listen. Why? Because the power always has and will always be with the people. The rulers of every nation know this, and that’s why they suffocated us. Tunisians and Egyptians have proven it. Egyptian demonstrators shook the nation everyday to the point where the army feared if this went on any longer and Mubarak did not step down, then the country could collapse. We started something and we must finish it. And, as citizens of Egypt, as citizens of this world we must support those who are standing up for their rights. Because, one day we could be in their shoes. In fact, ever since January 25, we all were. All of us, all over the world felt the ground move when Egypt shook.

Egypt has immense potential in every field and every aspect, and now it’s time to let it out.