This Friday, 18 February, Melbourne residents, human rights activists and members of the Egyptian, Tunisian, Libyan, Yemenis and Jordanian communities will gather at the Victorian State Library to send a powerful message to the families of those martyred during current protests: We stand with them in mourning and offer our prayers for the courageous brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers who paid with their lives to demand the Freedom, Dignity and Justice of their people.
*What:* *Global Day of Action for Mourning of Martyrs*
*Where: *Victorian* *State Library, 328 Swanson Street **
*Date:* Friday 18 February, 2011 **
*Time:* 5:30 pm - 6:30pm **
*Speakers: *Heba Ibrahim, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
(AFIC), **
* *Sue Bolten, Egyptian Solidarity Group, **
* *Mohamed Elmasri, Egyptian Solidarity Group, **
The Egyptian people are full of hope at what their future holds but this hope came with a heavy cost for the estimated 365 dead and more than 3,000 injured. Their sacrifice and those of the current ongoing protesters throughout the Middle East must be able acknowledged.
We will also be calling on all religious leaders of various faiths and denominations to join us during their next congregation in taking a minute silence to honor those who have been martyred and are still being martyred in the continuing peaceful protests taking place in Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, and Libya.
Democracy and self respect are valuable commodities. We must remember the martyrdom of peaceful demonstrators who took part in the Egyptian revolution and are still taking part in other actions throughout the Middle East. We must all make an effort to remember them and their families in our prayers as they struggle for these basic rights against tyrannical regimes who are willing to take such gross and in just actions against their own people.
*Social media:* **
● The event is being communicated on social media via the hashtag #25Jan.
● In recognition of the part played by social media activists in the protests, people who cannot be present at the event are being asked to upload solidarity images to the Facebook group “Egyptian Solidarity Group - Melbourne”
*For further information and interview requests, please contact:*
* *
The Egyptian Solidarity Group spokespeople will be available for interview both before and during the Melbourne event.
* *
*Mr. Mohamed Elmasri*
Organising Committee Member
*Egyptian Solidarity Group - Melbourne*
M. +61 (0) 413 127 595
F: +61 3 9312 3332
E. moemanco@gmail.com
* *
*Ms. Haggar Mahmoud*
Organising Committee Member
*Egyptian Solidarity Group - Melbourne*
M. +61 (0) 450 908 264
F: +61 3 9312 3332
E. hagoor73@gmail.com