One Arab World

Due to the presidents surprise announcement yesterday of his intent to run for a fifth term of office (the announcement itself was of course no surprise it's the timing that took us of guard) there are large anti government protests expected.

Because of this our permit has been revoked and we are officially and unfortunately calling it off.

Some people are going anyway. This is a bad idea because it may have a detrimental effect to what this was set up to do. We started this to show Egypt and the world that there are those that strongly oppose terrorism. If there are mass protests the police are not going to be able to differentiate between our peaceful sit in and an anti government protest. If they break it up, particularly in front of the media, it could turn into a scandal. It will be shown that Egypt breaks up anti terrorism protests and would therefore have an opposite effect from what we tried to do in the first place.

This is a heartbreaking series of events but your safety is too important. We will try again.

We believe that most people will be contacted and the word spread enough, however, we ask that a few people go, and at the entrance ask the people to leave.

Some people are saying that it won't be as bad as it sounds and we should have gone ahead. I am not there to judge the climate but the people working with me are and I will respect their judgment.

To those of you who put your hearts into this you are my heroes, protest or no protest.

Karim Elsahy

Ok, everything is in place for tomorrow's vigil. Media, Permit, Candles, Venue and all. The balls in motion, all that's left is for you to bring as many people as you can. The place is gorgeous, the weather should be nice, and there might even be a 3ood (arab guitar) player. Come, relax, meet people, show your support, and exercise your rights.

If you are not in Egypt or can not make it feel free to light a candle with us.

                                            Egypt  is counting on you.

Karim Elsahy

UPDATE:
We are expecting a turnout in the hundreds which will also include Egyptian scholars and AUC professors.

Various local and international media networks have promised to cover the event.

SharmRelief.com has just reached its first milestone of $840!

That is the equivalent of one official payment made to a single family of the victims of the Sharm attacks. Our goal is to double the government's efforts and raise an additional $840 per family. We still haven't received the official list of next of kin but estimates put the figure at either 78 or 79. In about 24 hours we have finished raising enough to double one family's compensation. Either 77 or 78 to go!

For those of you that have been emailing me from Egypt and the UAE I know paypal doesn't accept money from those locations. Amr Fiesal is currently in the process of forming a local non profit (Gam3aiah) but unfortunately things like this take more time to form in Egypt. He is forming an email list of people that wish to donate so as soon as it's up (within the next couple of days hopefully) he will notify you. Email him to get on the list at

Amr@sharmrelief.com

Thank you.
Karim Elsahy

Here is a link to an interview I gave the BBC last Monday. Thanks to Ramy Hiekal for the on location report.

Be forewarned I was running late and panting through the whole interview :)

Karim Elsahy

The vigil will be held this Friday the 29 not 26 as previously stated. (Hat tip Ayman Nawar)

Due to Egyptian internal security issues we will not be able to make this a Pray4Peace.org thing as it has no chapter in Egypt. We are nixing the tee-shirts and just wear white.

Special thanks to Sandmonkey for his viligant efforts at attaining the permit.

We are having problems with paypal accepting donations for SharmRelief.com from Egypt. The problem is not going to be resolved through paypal and we are starting an official non profit in Egypt to accept directly. Needless to say that is going to take a while but you will be updated with any new developments. If you are in Egypt and wish to donate, email me and I will put you on a list of contacts.

In the 24 hours or so that Sharmrelief.com has been up we have collected more than $500. Thank you for your generosity.

Karim Elsahy

Through Pray4Peace.org we have collectively set the date and venue for our second endeavor.

This Friday the 29 at 6pm at the new Al Azhar Park we will hold a sit in candle light vigil.

We have attained a governmental permit for the event.

Start the sms trains, the emails, reposting, and word of mouth. Everyone bring one. Do your part.

We are printing 100 white tee shirts with Pray4Peace.org written on them. They will be available free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Sizes are medium and extra large. We are also providing banners and candles.

You are asked to please get there by 5pm. You will be given a tee-shirt to wear over what you are wearing (this is dependant on availability so please wear white anyway) and a candle and you will be asked to sit calmly and quietly for the duration of the vigil. The organizers will be walking around and will have "organizer" written on their back, please feel free to ask them for anything you need.

If anyone inquires about what we are doing, police, reporters or otherwise, you are kindly asked to direct them to one of the organizers.

The media promises to be more comprehensive this time but feel free to use any contacts you may have.

Wait for more in depth instructions at Sandmonkey and BP.

Also starting Thursday at noon Mohamed urges you to begin leavening flowers, notes or whatever you feel at the ElSawy Culture Center, so you are also encouraged to bring anything you feel expresses yourself and leave it there at the vigil.

"In the garden of ElSawy Culture Center: Leave a flower, light a candle, write a statement, read a verse, put a picture, draw a painting, join us in expressing the feelings of sadness over the victims of the terrorists blasts, and in expressing your opinions on facing terrorism."

Alaa is also organizing a protest for Saturday afternoon in front of Cairo University.

The victims of Sharm el Sheikh will not go unforgotten. You can also donate to their families here.