Egyptian sloganeering. Egyptians are skilled in sloganeering. In modern Arab political history, Nasser, Haykal, and the Lebanese Arab nationalist, turned Marxist, Muhsin Ibrahim have been the most prolific (and sometimes ridiculous) sloganeerers. Nasser coined the slogan "Freedom of Expression is the first introduction to Democracy" while he was ruling tyrannically). Last week, I was impressed with the rhythmic slogans in Egypt against Mubarak and against Sharon.
Against Mubarak: Egyptians turned out in large numbers at the Book Fair in Cairo to protest Mubarak's rule. They chanted:
اكتب على حيط الزنزانة التطبيع موت وخيانة
(Write on the wall of the cell,
normalization is death and treason).
سيبوا الناس يللي بعتوا البلد ببلاش
(Leave people alone, you who sold the country for free)
قول يا مبارك يا مفلسنا عملت ايه بفلوسنا
(Say, oh, Mubarak who drove us to bankruptcy
What have you done with our money)
يا ساكن قصر العروبة نحن تعبنا.. خلاص كفاية
(You who reside in Urubah Palace
We are tired, we've had enough)
انت بتلبس آخر موضة واحنا نعيش العشرة في أوضة
(You dress according to the latest fashion,
and we live ten to a room)
And against Sharon, they chanted:
يا شارون بره بره.. مصر بلدنا حتفضل حرة
(Oh, Sharon, out, out..
Egypt our country will always be free)
مش حنسلم مش حنلين ومش حنقابل كلب لعين
(We shall not surrender or soften
And we shall not meet a damned dog)
يا شارون يا جبان عمر المسلم ما بيتهان
(Oh Sharon, oh coward
The Muslim cannot be humiliated)