Since the Revolution of January 25, 2011 a large number of arrests have taken place in Egypt, many of them unfounded. With many lovers left behind, inspiring stories about love, loss, and longing are be- ing told by heartbroken women Some of them found relief in my project, which offered them the opportunity to talk about their stories and shed light on their husband’s situation. Others were afraid that by participating in the project they might cause problems for their husbands. Here are the stories of: Sara, Omnia, and Eliane.
Sara Mourad, 26 years, is a former journalist. Her husband, Mohamed Abdlah,...READ ON
Sara Mourad, 26 years, is a former journalist. Her husband, Mohamed Abdlah, an accountant, was arrested on January 1, 2015 as he boarded a plane to Qatar to attend his own wedding celebration to Sara, who was already in Qatar waiting for him. Sara, living in Qatar, couldn’t follow up on the case from abroad. She started saving all her vacation days to go to Egypt and visit him in prison. Eventually she lost her job, so she moved back to Egypt and moved in with Mohamed’s family.
Sara celebrated Mohamed’s birthday for the second year alone. It is...READ ON
Sara celebrated Mohamed’s birthday for the second year alone. It is forbidden to bring him a cake in prison.
Sara usually has her meals alone now and she misses sharing them with...READ ON
Sara usually has her meals alone now and she misses sharing them with Mohamed. She insisted on creating a ritual of them sharing sandwiches together when she visits him. A small detail that makes her happy and offers her hope.
Sara now struggles with guilt every day about living freely while her...READ ON
Sara now struggles with guilt every day about living freely while her beloved is in jail. She tries to fight these thoughts, to remain strong and be able to support him.
Sara wears makeup and new clothes when she visits Mohamed in jail. She...READ ON
Sara wears makeup and new clothes when she visits Mohamed in jail. She didn’t get the chance to do this as a newlywed because of his arrest.
Sara and Mohamed met over food and they loved to explore different restau-...READ ON
Sara and Mohamed met over food and they loved to explore different restau- rants together before his arrest. Now Sara feels jealous when she meets other couples at the restaurants they used to visit together.
Sometimes, after a long exhausting day of preparing food and waiting long...READ ON
Sometimes, after a long exhausting day of preparing food and waiting long hours for the visit, Sara will face harassments from the female inspection officers at the prison. If they choose they can refuse to let her in with food, or clothes, or other basic necessities she brings for her husband.
Sara’s friend was married two months ago. Weddings bring tears to her...READ ON
Sara’s friend was married two months ago. Weddings bring tears to her eyes. She Says: “As the wife of a detainee, I get very emotional. It’s not envy, I just wish I could have that happiness too.”
Three years have passed since Omar was arrested. At first, I thought I...READ ON
Three years have passed since Omar was arrested. At first, I thought I would fight with all my powers but I let myself down. I thought the love, dreams, partnership and friendship I shared with Omar would motivate me to confront the difficulties in life. I disappointed Omar. No, life disappointed both of us. Pain and separation disappointed us. Separation was stronger, the burden was heavier than what I expected .
At the first year of Omar’s detention, I was constantly beside him,...READ ON
At the first year of Omar’s detention, I was constantly beside him, doing my best to set him free. I was overwhelmed with love. I contacted human rights organi- zations, spoke up in conferences, and contacted lawyers. It was very difficult for a shy and introvert person to do all this...The next year, depression and deep anger started to invade my heart and my soul. I resisted it. I attempted to commit suicide which coincided with arrest of Omar’s father. Depression took control of me. It was the hardest and most difficult fall... “
“Omar decided to leave me. I was shocked and decided to wear the...READ ON
“Omar decided to leave me. I was shocked and decided to wear the wedding dress which I didn’t get to wear before (his arrest). I don’t know whether it was a farewell to Omar and our dream or in defense of our rights... He was imprisoned and I was de- pressed... Visits with him became an unbearable pain and torture...I detached and hid silently from everybody. I refused to continue shooting with Hadeer, although I believed that her idea would hugely help the case and I was very enthusiastic, I had lost my way... I lost myself and everything.”
Eliane is a 29 years old Germany student of social and cultural...READ ON
Eliane is a 29 years old Germany student of social and cultural anthropology. She Came to Egypt for study before she met Ahmed, her partner. Ahmed was arrested at the Clashes of Mohamed Mahmoud Street, the reason that mad e Eliane stays in Egypt to support him.
Ahmed was released under a presidential pardon whereas a republican decree...READ ON
Ahmed was released under a presidential pardon whereas a republican decree no. 5151 of 2016 states the release of 82 persons, including Ahmed after he spent a year and half in prison.
Eliane found some comfort in some details like the poem Ahmed wrote her...READ ON
Eliane found some comfort in some details like the poem Ahmed wrote her from the prison.
Eliane traveled to Germany with Ahmed as he was released after a year and a...READ ON
Eliane traveled to Germany with Ahmed as he was released after a year and a half in prison with a presiden- tial pardon.
Since the Revolution of January 25, 2011 a large number of arrests have taken place in Egypt, many of them unfounded. With many lovers left behind, inspiring stories about love, loss, and longing are be- ing told by heartbroken women Some of them found relief in my project, which offered them the opportunity to talk about their stories and shed light on their husband’s situation. Others were afraid that by participating in the project they might cause problems for their husbands. Here are the stories of: Sara, Omnia, and Eliane.