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Egyptian revolution anniversary: 4 activists explain the work left

On the anniversary of the Egyptian uprising that swept former President Hosni Mubarak from power, many of those who protested are not celebrating. Four activists tell the Monitor why.

3. Mostafa Saadawy, Muslim Brotherhood member

Kristen Chick
Mostafa Saadawy brought his daughter to Tahrir Square to protest Egypt's military government on Tuesday. The member of the Muslim Brotherhood participated in Egypt's uprising from the beginning.

  • By Kristen Chick Correspondent

Mostafa Saadawy, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, joined the protests on Jan. 25 last year, even though the organization had not yet endorsed the demonstrations. Now, he believes the work of the revolutionaries is only half done.

“The military council will not surrender easily. They will struggle. They want to protect their money and their lives,” he says. The military rulers are keen to preserve the military’s vast economic holdings, and to escape judgment for presiding over the killing of protesters since they took power.
 
 To Mr. Saadawy, success in the revolution would mean not just removing the military rulers, but dismantling the regime Mubarak built, and erasing the ideas he planted. For him, true success would mean an Islamic government in Egypt. He’s happy to see the Brotherhood’s political party in power in the newly elected parliament, but says it’s also a big responsibility.

“There’s a lot of work ahead,” he says.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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