“I think the best thing I have ever learned from you is to carry on and never ever give up. Thank you very much Haluk Demirbag. I couldn’t have done this without your coaching.”
—Farah Souames, 21.02.2011
Khaled Abol Naga speaks to Al Jazeera Talk English
Farah Souames meets Khaled Abol Naga
Monday 21 February 2011
AJTE: Where you optimistic when you thought of participating in the strikes?
Khaled Abol Naga: Yes, I was optimistic, but I did not expect that millions of Egyptians will take part in the events. At that time I was busy with my new movie; I came late and could be there in the opening day. Once I reached Tahrir square, I couldn’t believe the crazy crowd, I took my camera an started shooting, the police was all over Tahrir square , I was shooting from the bridge and trying to put videos online, the coming days internet was not available in Egypt for a couple of days.
On Friday, I think people have learned the lesson that everybody should come and be an integrated part of the revolution. There was not a real plan, but people call each other to gather, they wanted it to be bigger and reach Tahrir square which is a symbol of revolution for all Egyptian.I was there for the hope of a better Egypt, for Change, For Freedom.
AJTE: Do you think that without social media like facebook and twitter, this revolution could have happened?
Khaled Abol Naga: I think it would have happened even without social media, there were revolutions in Egypt in the past before those technologies appear. In fact the difference here is that the youths of 25 January strikes are educated students who did know their right, that’s why their initiative was structured. You can obviously see that the media was unable to lie.
AJTE: what were the extreme feelings you had, the happiest and the saddest ones?
Khaled Abol Naga: The happiest feeling I felt, was not the success of the revolution, but it was when I reached Tahrir square, I felt that I belong to this place, to this country. After the revolution people were cleaning the mess all around the square. I felt the real unity between people of all categories, youths, adults, kids, Muslims, Copts , educated and non.
People started to feel their dignity back, that dignity which was hijacked along decades. People are not feeling anymore afraid of claiming their rights, their dignity, their money, they lost by corruption.
The worst feelings were obviously, during the killing of people, I think I will never forget these moments as long as I am living. Those youth died simply because they asked for change, they wanted corruption and rights violation to end.
AJTE: We saw you a couple of time with Dr Baradei and his supporters, do you think he is the appropriate person to rule Egypt in this important transition?
Khaled Abol Naga: I support all who ask for change, for rights. I was really hurt when media started spreading lies; it is unfair for a peace noble prize person to face such accusations. Dr Baradei is still banned from national TV’s, as media is still under the old regime’s control.
Egyptian started revolution because of injustice, and I think that Dr Baradei must feel it after the media spread stupid accusations and lies against him, just to discredit him.
People and politicians do know his noble character , and his strong viewpoints like his oppositions to war against Iraq, so it is obvious that media have to start apologizing for those mistakes.
AJTE: What are your expectations for Egypt after Mubarak steps down?
Khaled Abol Naga:Mubarak was just a symbol of the regime; the real achievement of the revolution is the return of the spirit to people, now Egyptians know that no one will ever hijack their rights.
AJTE: a last word for Aljazeera Talk English?
Khaled Abol Naga:This revolution made of me a proud man, I think I never be so proud in my life, I strongly feel that I belong to that place, to that country. Seeing all Egyptians reunited in Tahrir square, Egyptians from all categories Muslims, Copts, Educated, Uneducated, rich, poor, facing tear gas bombs and facing rubber bullets and real bullets and brutal treatment and detention
Farah Souames meets Khaled Abol Naga
Monday 21 February 2011
AJTE: Where you optimistic when you thought of participating in the strikes?
Khaled Abol Naga: Yes, I was optimistic, but I did not expect that millions of Egyptians will take part in the events. At that time I was busy with my new movie; I came late and could be there in the opening day. Once I reached Tahrir square, I couldn’t believe the crazy crowd, I took my camera an started shooting, the police was all over Tahrir square , I was shooting from the bridge and trying to put videos online, the coming days internet was not available in Egypt for a couple of days.
On Friday, I think people have learned the lesson that everybody should come and be an integrated part of the revolution. There was not a real plan, but people call each other to gather, they wanted it to be bigger and reach Tahrir square which is a symbol of revolution for all Egyptian.I was there for the hope of a better Egypt, for Change, For Freedom.
AJTE: Do you think that without social media like facebook and twitter, this revolution could have happened?
Khaled Abol Naga: I think it would have happened even without social media, there were revolutions in Egypt in the past before those technologies appear. In fact the difference here is that the youths of 25 January strikes are educated students who did know their right, that’s why their initiative was structured. You can obviously see that the media was unable to lie.
AJTE: what were the extreme feelings you had, the happiest and the saddest ones?
Khaled Abol Naga: The happiest feeling I felt, was not the success of the revolution, but it was when I reached Tahrir square, I felt that I belong to this place, to this country. After the revolution people were cleaning the mess all around the square. I felt the real unity between people of all categories, youths, adults, kids, Muslims, Copts , educated and non.
People started to feel their dignity back, that dignity which was hijacked along decades. People are not feeling anymore afraid of claiming their rights, their dignity, their money, they lost by corruption.
The worst feelings were obviously, during the killing of people, I think I will never forget these moments as long as I am living. Those youth died simply because they asked for change, they wanted corruption and rights violation to end.
AJTE: We saw you a couple of time with Dr Baradei and his supporters, do you think he is the appropriate person to rule Egypt in this important transition?
Khaled Abol Naga: I support all who ask for change, for rights. I was really hurt when media started spreading lies; it is unfair for a peace noble prize person to face such accusations. Dr Baradei is still banned from national TV’s, as media is still under the old regime’s control.
Egyptian started revolution because of injustice, and I think that Dr Baradei must feel it after the media spread stupid accusations and lies against him, just to discredit him.
People and politicians do know his noble character , and his strong viewpoints like his oppositions to war against Iraq, so it is obvious that media have to start apologizing for those mistakes.
AJTE: What are your expectations for Egypt after Mubarak steps down?
Khaled Abol Naga:Mubarak was just a symbol of the regime; the real achievement of the revolution is the return of the spirit to people, now Egyptians know that no one will ever hijack their rights.
AJTE: a last word for Aljazeera Talk English?
Khaled Abol Naga:This revolution made of me a proud man, I think I never be so proud in my life, I strongly feel that I belong to that place, to that country. Seeing all Egyptians reunited in Tahrir square, Egyptians from all categories Muslims, Copts, Educated, Uneducated, rich, poor, facing tear gas bombs and facing rubber bullets and real bullets and brutal treatment and detention
http://aljazeeratalk.net/en/node/7391, 21.02.2011