4. Do we have what it takes?

Victory, Freedom, Justice, and social equality all come at a price. We are hoping that the Egyptian people will be willing to pay this price, but am I? Are you? If I were in their shoes, would I be on the streets or in my home? Would I be cold, hungry and shivering with the protesters or would I be following at home on televsion? Parents who are allowing their children to join the protests are giving their own hearts to the struggle. This mass of protesters, while huge, are a percentage of the population who are determined to put their own selves, their spouses, and children on the line for the sake of a better future for everyone. They are heroes. While standing against a tyrant and his oppression holds promise of tremendous reward from Allah, some people will be hurt and some people will die. If we were present at a moment of truth, when freedom and justice demand an advocate, do we in our current state have the strength to stand up?

Source: http://blog.mastarbiya.org/2011/02/02/100-reflections-on-the-egyptian-uprising-a-lighthouse-episode/

After arriving at St. Catherine’s monastery around 5pm, exploring the area, breaking fast and eating dinner we all decided to take a nap before the planned midnight climb of Mt. Sinai. A lot of tourists visit the monastery, and climb Mt. Sinai during the night to view the sun rise from atop Mt. Sinai. We woke up around 1:30am, met our student group, and headed towards the road that leads up to Mt. Sinai. Along the road up to Mt. Sinai there are several rest stops where you can buy all your “favorite” drinks for hi-jacked prices: coca-cola, sprite, orange fanta, and of course, bebsi. You’ll also be sure to notice the many locals who attempt to sell you a camel ride up to the top of the mountain.

Personally, the climb up to Mt. Sinai was pretty epic. I’m glad it was night and I couldn’t see what we were climbing other than what was 10 feet ahead of us. Perhaps it was a bad idea to climb during Ramadan, but I was truly exhausted by the time we got to the top. I think around 3am, or more than half-way up, I got separated from everyone in our student group and from anyone else who was climbing up. If it wasn’t for the flashlight in my cellphone, it would’ve been nearly impossible to find my way to the top. At each of the rest stops it was amazing to look back down and see the dozens, if not hundreds, of lights (flashlights) of the people climbing the mountain.

Sunrise atop Mt. Sinai

After finally arriving to the top around 4am, I looked around for the masjid someone had advised to make sure to pray in, and was relieved to find comfort from the chilling weather outside. The masjid is more like a small musalla, just a small room accommodating perhaps 10 people at most.

Watching the sun rise was a really good experience. I made sure to bring a sweater up with me, but it wasn’t enough. The locals rent out blankets, which nearly everyone decides to buy and find a good spot to sit and watch the sun rise. Its not until the way down, that you actually realize what a long trail you’ve climbed. I remember I kept thinking, subhanAllah how did Prophet Musa (pbuh) climbed this when there was no trail. It must have been nothing less than Divine inspiration.

My pix:

Taraweeh at Masjid Amr – Sept. 8

Masjid Amr – Ramadan Night of 27th

On the night of the 27^th of Ramadan I decided to go to Masjid Amr ibn Al-Aas, despite having been warned that I wouldn’t find a spot to pray and that if I did go I should arrive well before Maghrib (another advice that, for some reason, I didn’t heed).

• The university was founded by the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt, descended from Fatimah (may God be pleased with her), daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Fatimah was called Az-Zahra (the brilliant), and the university was named in her honor.
• Studies began at Al-Azhar in the month of Ramadan, 975 AD (364 AH). The university had faculties in Islamic law and jurisprudence, Arabic grammar, Islamic astronomy, Islamic philosophy, and logic.
• Azhar University is the world’s second oldest university that is currently in operation; the first being University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morcocco.

SubhanAllah, I couldn’t help but remember these verses. Some of these pyramids were built over 4,000 years ago! Nothing remains of them but these monuments, and only God knows what the status of the pharaohs will be on the Day of Judgment!

“And how many a generation (past nations) have We destroyed before them, who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance?” (Qur’an 19:74)

“And (remember) when We separated the sea for you and saved you and drowned Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) people while you were looking (at them, when the sea-water covered them).” (Qur’an 2:50)

So here’s some random info I was able to write down or still remember:

• There are 90-100 pyramids in Egypt.
• The most famous and largest is located in Giza (Great Pyramid of Giza) and is one of the only seven wonders of the Ancient World that stands intact. It was built about 4,500 years ago in honor of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. Although this pyramid was originally 146 meters tall, with the test of time and erosion it now stands at 138 meters.
• Generally the pyramids were built west of the Nile River. This is due to the fact that the Ancient Egyptians worshipped the Sun and the West, as the point of sunset, meant death and the eternal afterlife for them.
• The Pyramids point true north, and were measured using the North Star.
• Today, tourists enter the Great Pyramid through a tunnel dug by the Caliph Al-Ma’mum around 820 AD.

We were able to go inside the second largest pyramid, next to the Great Pryamid (you need to come early in the morning if you want to go inside the Great Pyramid)… but honestly there wasn’t much to it. Just declined a very small opening down into a pathway that led to the other side of the Pyramid where you can see a large room with a coffin at the end. Much of what was in the Pyramids is no longer there. It was either stolen by thieves, colonizers, or is in Museum’s in Cairo or Britain.

Some pics from arrival:

After spending the entire day there, asking a dozen different bookstores, shops, and people… we came to the following conclusion: road maps simply don’t exist in Egypt OR if they do they aren’t for sale in public. Almost all of Egypt’s shops in downtown areas, where the Library of Alexandria is located, cater to tourists and tourists usually don’t come to Egypt to drive on a 250 mile convoy from Alexandria to Al-Arish to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Anyhow, we sadly returned to Ma’mura just a few hours ago empty-handed and determined to simply rely on Google Maps. If Google Maps works as great as it does in the United States, then it should suffice for our purposes. I guess time will tell…

Viva Palestina USA (Saturday, July 11)