Egypt: A Nation In Waiting - A Special Documentary Looking At Egypt Under Hosni Mubarak (45 Min.)

[Turborama]

Having ruled Egypt for 30 years, President Hosni Mubarak is now 83 years old.

Mubarak, then vice-president, was the only candidate to succeed Anwar al-Sadat after the then Egyptian president was assasinated in 1981. He became the fourth president of the Republic; a president who would remain in power for over a quarter of a century.

But during this period in Egypt, an important question had started to be asked: What has happened to the Egyptians?

With escalating prices, record levels of unemployment and a year of unprecedented labour unrest in 2007, the government has its hands full trying to quell the public's growing unease. Promises of economic growth and a brighter future are no longer believed.

Political focus

And as the country's population of more than 74 million continues to grow, the Egyptians have been turning their focus to the political system governing them which is unable to cover even their basic needs.

An age-old pact of peace between the Egyptians and their rulers was being broken and protesters receive a heavy-handed response by security forces, an army of the president.

The 21st century saw the first multi-candidate presidential elections in Egypt. But were these merely outward signs of democracy from a regime succumbing to external pressure for democratic reforms, or is Egypt truly experiencing a new era of freedom?

In a special hour-long programme Al Jazeera travels to Egypt and meets journalists, politicians from the government and the opposition and ordinary Egyptians.

By tracing the major events of Mubarak's years in power, the film explores why Egypt remains A Nation in Waiting.

Watch here: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2008/12/200812319221110170.html

"A Nation in Waiting" can also be seen from Saturday, January 29, at the following times GMT: Saturday: 2000; Sunday: 1200; Monday: 0100; Tuesdasy: 0600 on TV or streamed live here: http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

[Cerridwen]

1. K & R

Thanks so much, Turborama for keeping us informed and updated.

[pinboy3niner]

2. +1

Thanks, Turborama, for the trouble you take to bring so much good information here. :fistbump:

K&R

[Turborama]

4. Hi man, thanks for the thanks!

Your feedback is much appreciated, as always.

Did you find your glasses, BTW?

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

5. Yes, I did, LOL!

My glasses were vewy vewy sneaky, but I managed to steal up and surprise them under the bed--the fourth time I looked there. It was a real battle of wits, but I managed to (barely) outsmart them. The trick is to strike quickly, before they can slip back into stealth mode. :)

[Turborama]

9. You're not going to believe this...

But mine are just like that, they always go and hide under the bed and I was going to suggest you went and looked there but I got distracted and forgot. Glad you managed to find them eventually (4th time! lol!).

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

15. Others suggested that, too

I'm a bit abashed to admit that I didn't find them until 2 PM the next day. Like I said, they can be sneaky little fokkers.

I'm sure all of DU was on the edge of their seats, following my riveting drama and eagerly awaiting the latest updates from the front.

My final report: We have found the enemy, and he is us! :)

[Turborama]

3. You're most welcome Cerridwen

I'm a news and info. junkie for historical events like this and am only to happy to share and learn. :hi:

[sabrina 1]

6. Appreciate this, thanks Turborama.

Al Jazeera does such great programs.

[Turborama]

13. You're most welcome, Sabrina

The great thing is, they put everything online for everyone to watch.

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/

[pnorman]

7. k & r!

n/t

[Turborama]

14. Thanks, pnorman

Much appreciated.

[Poll_Blind]

8. I watched most of this last night and hope to finish it this evening. Thank you!

Great, fascinating stuff.

PB

[Turborama]

10. You're most welcome, I'm glad to hear you've been watching it.

Thanks for the thanks!

:hi:

BTW I have fixed my internet problem by finding a new, much faster & cheaper ISP and am dl'ing at up to 3MB p/s ;-)

[jonnyblitz]

11. thanks for the link! I just finished watching it.

:hi:

[Turborama]

12. I found parts 3 & 4 are the "must see" sections for anyone with limited time & who want to get info.

But parts 1 & 2 are very important for historical perspective.

Thanks for the thanks! :hi: