In an apparent attempt to disrupt communication among protestors, the Egyptian government shut off the country’s Internet access:
Internet access was shut down across the country shortly after midnight. Mobile phone text messaging services also appeared to be partially disabled, working only sporadically.
Activists have relied on the Internet, especially social media services like Twitter and Facebook, to organize.
U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in a “tweet” message on Twitter: “We are concerned that communications services, including the Internet, social media, and even this tweet are being blocked in Egypt.”
A page on Facebook social networking site listed more than 30 mosques and churches where protesters were expected gather.
“Egypt’s Muslims and Christians will go out to fight against corruption, unemployment and oppression and absence of freedom.”
Here is a photo of an Egyptian demonstrator taking on riot police Superman-style during the recent anti-government protests in Cairo. This is exactly how I would react if the government turned off my access to the Internet.
January 28th, 2011 | 9:35 am
Chk out the video of Egypt: A Nation Forced Offline …
For the first time in history, a government has shut down all national Internet and cellular access.
January 28th, 2011 | 9:46 am
I liked that “even this tweet.”
January 28th, 2011 | 10:35 am
kumar,
Expect to see more middle eastern countries follow suit.
January 28th, 2011 | 10:40 pm
I am surprised there has not been more coverage of this on First Things, as it has the potential to effect substantial amounts of Christians in the region. Depending on how the situation in Egypt shakes down, things could be getting a lot worse (or, please God, better) for our brothers and sisters in that country.
I’ve heard (admittedly, second-hand) that many Egyptians Christians are keeping low during this time and anxiously waiting to see what happens. Memories of a similar Leftist-Islamist coalition from Iran’s revolution have left a bad taste in the mouth of many faithful, considering how that turned out.
Someone prove me wrong?
January 29th, 2011 | 1:29 pm
Where did that picture came from?
January 30th, 2011 | 4:18 pm
The problem here is that the revolution in Tunisia or Egypt is more of a struggle for some kind of economic prosperity rather than a road to democracy which I think may be counterproductive when the people of these countries realize this prosperity is not so easy to achieve. One of the possible reactions will be accusations of having been promised something which is impossible to obtain.
January 31st, 2011 | 3:46 pm
Joe: The man in the photo (who is our brother–as are the police too)–armed with nothing but courage–is risking his life for things he believes are worth his life: his family, his faith, his country–as he sees and loves them. You turn it into a joke about Wifi. No. It’s not funny. And it’s unworthy of FT.
February 1st, 2011 | 9:28 am
I second what Dr Linton has said.
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