Egypt voices: Life since Mubarak

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21409668

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Egyptians are marking the second anniversary of the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak. The country has gone through tumultuous changes since Mr Mubarak stepped down on 11 February 2011, a move which cleared the way for Egypt's first democratic elections. Egypt is however still in the grip of political and economic turmoil, and there are many who believe life was better under Mr Mubarak.

BBC Arabic's Marwa Nasser took the views of some Egyptians on the streets of Cairo .

<h2 class="section-header" id="heading-1">Omneya Mogeeb, 45, researcher</h2>

Mubarak had to leave. Corruption during his era was unbelievable.

Mubarak's resignation was a great step that changed the history of Egypt.

If Mubarak hadn't resigned, we wouldn't have moved a step forward. Maybe we don't feel any change now, but we will in the future. I was very happy he stepped down, now we have a voice, and we've overcome our fears. In his era, nobody dared talk about politics. But now even the doorman can discuss politics very well.

The youth surprised us with this revolution. I'm very pleased to have seen such amazing mentalities.

I took part in the protests in Tahrir Square during the 18 days. We were together, [acting as] one hand during those days. We have some difficulties now, but we will overcome them soon.

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-1">Mostafa Ismael, 54, bus driver</h3>

Since Mubarak stepping down, we haven't seen any stability. Thugs are everywhere. All we want is to live in peace and resume our work safely.

Maybe Mubarak had to leave, but I think it's even worse now. I never took part in any protests, I don't care about politics. I just want to live in peace and in stability.

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-2">Sherine Shehata, 30, interior design engineer </h3>

Like so many Egyptians, I was extremely happy the day Mubarak stepped down. I took part in the protests of the 18 days and on the day he stepped down we went out and celebrated in the streets. He stayed for such a long time and didn't serve the country well. But I don't feel he did resign, there are still whole apparatuses serving the former regime and Mubarak and his aids. It's a 30-year-old corrupted regime that spread its roots, you can't just end it overnight or even 18 days.

I kept taking part in protests for a year afterwards, but now I have nothing to do with politics. I didn't expect that after a peaceful revolution, we would reach this point of violence and blood shed.

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-3">Abdel Aleem Mahmoud, 55, cleaner</h3>

He shouldn't have stepped down. Mubarak had a firm grip on the country. During his rule, we never saw those festivals and thuggery, beating or theft. I look behind me while walking fearing someone might attack me. We don't even feel secure inside our houses. We would sleep and leave the doors open in Mubarak's time. But now you lock your door and you still live in fear.

They claim he was stealing from his people, but at least he made it a safe country to live in.

I have nothing to do with the revolution or politics.

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-4">Fekerya al-Sayed, 60, housewife</h3>

Now is not better than it was during Mubarak's time, but we lived in turmoil for 30 years. The real revolution was the 18 days after 25 January, not what we are witnessing at the moment. I was so happy when the revolution happened, even though I couldn't take part.

Yes we wanted him to go, but now we're lost. Tell me have the youth found jobs? Has anything been fixed?

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-5">Mina Naguib, 26, accountant</h3>

I wanted Mubarak to stay. I was against his stepping down. Now we're moving from bad to worse. I work in the stock market, each day it falls further than the day before. We were born and Mubarak was there, and the country was moving very well. Yes the former government was stealing from us, but at least things were better than now. We have no idea what's going on these days, maybe we will find out the same thing after [President Mohammed] Morsi leaves.

Mubarak was much better than Morsi, he protected us.

Nothing is working in Egypt, today for example some youth blocked the Metro which I usually take every day.

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-6">Shawkeya al-Kurdy, 50, housewife </h3>

Mubarak needed to step down and so does Morsi now. Both are walking the same line.

When Mubarak stepped down, I was happy, but concerned at the same time about the future. I was concerned about the domination of the Muslim Brotherhood. They are the same as Mubarak. They are prosecuting opponents now. Young people are getting killed and women are being stripped in the squares.

The way I see it now, the revolution hasn't started yet.

<h3 class="section-header" id="heading-1-7">Mina Fouad, 30, administrative assistant</h3>

I was looking forward to the day Mubarak leaves, because corruption was way too high.

We are confused and lost now. The people are divided into many groups. We hoped the ruler who came after Mubarak would be better, but we're no longer sure about anything or anyone.