Homecoming

25 February - 3 March 2010

Homecoming

Mohamed Abdel-Baky joined the hundreds of Egyptians who flocked to Cairo airport to welcome El-Baradei

"I drove for more than 16 hours from Aswan to see him and say that we want change." Like many others, Hani Rizk waited for hours at Cairo International Airport last Friday to welcome Mohamed El-Baradei, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, former director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and a possible candidate in Egypt's presidential elections scheduled next year.

"Help us to change the constitution"; "Baradei as president who will return our freedom"; "there is no way back, we want a better life": the chants at Terminal 3 were as varied as those who had turned out to meet their hero.

For many it was a family outing.

"I came here with my two daughters and son so that they might learn how important it is to participate in choosing their president," Samia Mohamed, an accountant, told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Not even the news that El-Baradei's flight had been delayed for two hours could dampen the festive atmosphere. As the delay was announced at 2pm the arrivals hall turned into a party with people singing, dancing and sharing food.

"I think this welcome for El-Baradei sends a clear massage to the regime," George Ishaq, a member of Kifaya movement, told Al-Ahram Weekly.

"El-Baradei acts to empower opposition movements and young activists, by virtue of his vision of reform and his international weight."

Novelist Alaa Al-Aswani told the Weekly that he was at the airport not just to support El-Baradei but "to express my hope for change".

"I came to share with all these people their demands for freedom and democracy," he said.

Some public figures believe that El-Baradei's being in Cairo will help many activists to break the "wall of fear".

El Baradei's family joined with the crowds, holding his posters reading "El-Baradei for president 2011".

"I think his contributions and vision to improve the lives of millions of Egyptians will prove very valuable to Egypt," Ali El-Baradei told the Weekly.

"I cannot express how happy I am that my brother's demands have inspired all these people to come to the airport and share their grievances with Mohamed," said his sister Mona El-Baradei.

The flight finally landed at Terminal 3 at 5.30am. For security personnel at the airport it was, they said, an ordinary day. There was no reinforcement to secure the area, and no confrontations with the anti-regime activists.

"We have orders not to clash with anybody and to leave the people who came to welcome El-Baradei to do whatever they please," said one senior police officer.

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2010/987/eg7.htm