Somah

[VIDEO] Egypt Has Inspired Us All

I put this video together as a tribute to the Egyptian Revolution that truly inspired the world. I hope you like it :)

Gay Egyptians are "Born This Way"

When Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" single came out a week ago, I didn't really care for it that much. But this little girl made a believer out of me. The message in this song (be & love yourself just the way you are) struck a chord with me given the current situation in the Middle East, and Egypt in particular.

Right this minute, millions of gay Egyptians are cautiously trying to find their place in a new Egypt. As the promise of freedom and reform echos across Egypt, decades of torture, abuse and scapegoating may soon come to an end. There is hope that the torture and humiliation gay Egyptian men had to endure in 2001 may never happen again.

But even when the torture ends, mental and psychological damage inflicted by society on its own who are gay is whole different ballgame. How can we expect young gay men and women to grow up with any sense of pride and self-esteem when they are told from a very young age that being gay is "perverted", "disgusting", and "a family disgrace." Strong societal aversion and lack of any positive gay Arab role models are the two most important things we need to address to complete the free environment so many are yearning for.

The Egyptian Revolution has been a fight to restore dignity, self-esteem and pride to ALL Egyptians, and that includes the gay men and women of Egypt.

This song is for you, my fellow gay Egyptians, and for anyone who has been marginalized for not fitting society's mold.

Don't hide yourself in regret. Just love yourself and you're set. You are on the right track, Egyptians, you are born this way. 

[VIDEO] Strife is The Human Condition

With everything happening in the Middle East, Wisconsin and the entire world it seems, I was reminded of this video I put together back in 2008 after the passage of Prop 8. I was reminded that the human condition is that of strife, struggle and dreams. I wish everyone working for a just cause triumph and joy. 

[VIDEO] The Government-Led Massacre in Bahrain Continues

WARNING: The videos below are very graphic and are taken from different angles of the same horrific situation. The Bahraini government is barbaric and now the world sees their ruthless barbarism in action.

[VIDEO] Very Graphic Video on The Dead and Wounded in Bahrain from Al-Jazeera

Heartbreaking and very disturbing.

Bahrain Kills Its Citizens

Here's what our allies are doing to their own people. Warning: graphic images below.

Many people have compared the uprising in Bahrain with that in Cairo. Similarities aside, uprisings largely depend on societal dynamics. Egyptian society is nonsectarian, and highly nationalistic. Bahraini society is far from it. The country is ruled the minority Sunnis and the disenfranchised are the majority Shiites. Right of the bat, you have a recipe for disaster. A disaster that's unfolding before our eyes today.

As the video and images below show, the Bahraini government is brutal and will do what it takes to put down this uprising. They can crack down all they want. It'll only make the people stronger!

VIDEO: Egyptian Revolution on YouTube - صوت بلادي بينادي بينادي

This patriotic song from the 80's captures what's really beautiful about Egypt. I especially love the second song (6:30s) which says:

صوت بلادي بينادي بينادي
بيدوي عبر الأجيال
صوت حضارة

من يومها جبارة

ياما صنعت أبطال و رجال

 صوت شعب ماشي آلاف السنين 
كل خطوة منه بكفاح ملايين 
أمجاده كتبها بحياته و مصر حياتها خطى المخلصين

My country's voice chants chants
Echoing across generations
Voice of a civilization
That's born great
That produced many heroes and men
Voice of a people trudging for thousands of years
Every step by the struggle of millions
A people that wrote their glory with their lives and Egypt's life is the steps of those faithful

عيش حياتك  بس ابحث عن ذاتك 
يا مصري و شوف عمرها كام 
شوف جدودك من لحظة وجودك 
شعلة عزم و خير و سلام

صوت شعب مصري و أعظم ما فيه

أي أخ عربي يعوزه يلاقيه 
أمجاده كتبها بحياته و مصر حياتها خطى المخلصين

Live life to search for your own truth
O Egyptian look how old your country is!
Look at your ancestors from the moment of your inception
A beacon of determination, goodness and peace
Voice of the people of Egypt that are greatly known for being
Available to any Arab brother seeking them
A people that wrote their glory with their lives and Egypt's life is the steps of those faithful

x2

VIDEO: Egyptian Revolution on YouTube - احلم معايا

A heartbreaking melody, lyrics, and of course, imagery, of the Egyptian Revolution. The title of the clip translates into "dream with me." The interview in the clip is with one of Egypt's most beloved and respected composers whose music has moved many Egyptians in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

The song is about dreaming of a better future; the very future whose birth we're witnessing this very moment.

VIDEO: Egyptian Revolution on YouTube - Dramatic Scene of Clashes between Police and Protestors

This is an incredibly tense  video of some of the deadly clashes that took place between the protesters and the police. This will get your adrenaline flowing.

VIDEO: Egyptian Revolution on YouTube - Interview With a Revolutionist!

I love how sincere and determined this girl is. I gotta say I was really impressed of how many English speaking protestors were there. Everyone spoke English it seems! Great video and one that I keep going back to and watch over and over again.