Title: A Decade Later, Haunting Memories of the Rabaa Square Massacre in Egypt Persist
Date: August 14, 2023
Author: [Author Name]
Cairo – Ten years ago, on August 14, 2013, Egyptian security forces carried out a violent crackdown on a sit-in by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi in Rabaa Square, Cairo. The incident resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, making it one of the largest single killings of demonstrators in recent history, according to rights groups. Today, survivors of the massacre continue to grapple with the traumatic memories, as the event had a profound impact on their lives and the country as a whole.
The sit-ins, attended by thousands of Egyptians, primarily members of the Muslim Brotherhood and Morsi supporters, were launched in protest against the military takeover that ousted Morsi. The government labeled the demonstrators as terrorists, justifying their use of force. However, investigations by human rights groups revealed that the majority of protesters were unarmed.
Ahmed Samih, a former human rights activist, was present on that fateful day and had a premonition that the dispersal would be violent. Witnessing the chaos and bloodshed, Samih lost friends and felt isolated due to the differing accounts of the events among his acquaintances. Despite his commitment to human rights work, Samih was later charged for operating an online radio station and was eventually forced to flee the country.
Amal Selim and her daughter Sara Ali also recall the tragedy with deep pain. Selim’s husband, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was killed by a sniper while witnessing the events in Rabaa. They continue to mourn the loss of their loved one and have experienced additional hardship since then. Sara’s brother, who was documenting the events on that day, was later arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Journalist Lina Attalah, who was present at the sit-in, still experiences haunting memories of the violence. Attalah and her colleagues narrowly escaped death as they fled the advancing security forces. She remembers the chaos and the desperate attempts to save lives. In the aftermath, Attalah threw herself into her work to cope with the despair caused by the Rabaa Square massacre.
The Rabaa Square massacre was a turning point in Egypt’s history, solidifying the military’s grip on power and its readiness to employ deadly force to maintain control. The incident deepened political divisions and shattered families and friendships. It also marked a stark decline in the country’s public space for dissent.
Today, the wounds of Rabaa Square still linger, as survivors struggle to come to terms with the trauma and loss they experienced. With justice still elusive, the memory of that tragic day remains etched in the hearts and minds of those affected, casting a long shadow over Egypt’s history and path towards democratic change.