UMBC Students Concerned About Family In Egypt
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The situation in Egypt has gone from chaos to an utter catastrophe. Government stormed the streets, waging battles with anti-government protesters Wednesday.
Kai Jackson spoke with several UMBC students who have family in Egypt.
Egypt remains in turmoil and that raises questions about stability in the Middle East. Americans trying to leave are caught in the middle of clashes between those in power and those who feel powerless.
The world is watching the social and political upheaval in Cairo. It's a watershed moment in world history that could impact the Egyptian people and numerous countries for decades. So far, three have died in the clashes and more than 600 have been hurt.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters, led mostly by the country's youth, have been engaging in violent clashes with police and supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. They're demanding Mubarak step down after 30 years in power. Young people blame the leader for human rights abuse, poverty and oppression. Mubarek has agreed to step down, but not until September.
Many watching it unfold from thousands of miles away become more uneasy, especially Egyptian UMBC students who all have family caught in the middle of the riots.
"My aunties were all hearing gunshots outside," said Amy Michael, UMBC student.
"They're very scared, of course, especially that we live so many miles away from them," said Mina Attia, UMBC student.
"It's just terrifying because they're very close to it," said Anthony Rizkalla, UMBC student. "Although we spoke to them a couple days ago, anything can happen in a couple days."
They visit Cairo often. Some even grew up there before moving to Maryland.
But this Egypt is one they've never seen.
"There's people everywhere," Attia said. "It's constantly loud outside. The country is turned upside down right now. It's very just chaotic."
The students say they're grateful to have each other to talk to about their families' ordeals. They're also reaching out to the local Coptic Orthodox Church community for more support.
"It's brought us together to pray and fast," Attia said. "We've been fasting and praying for the last three days for the situation to get better. That's really the only comfort we have here."
"Although our hearts are with them, our spirits are with them, there's nothing we can do," Rizkalla said. "So it's very difficult."
Even worse: there's no clear end in sight.
