Calm restored to Egypt after dispersing pro-Morsi sit-ins;

Supporters of Egypt’s deposed president Mohamed Morsi walk past his portrait in Cairo on July 23, 2013 during a sit in outside Rabaa al-Adaweya mosque.
(AFP Photo)

A cloud of rest and calm overshadowed Egyptian streets Friday night after two mega sit-ins set up in support of ousted President Mohamed Morsi were dispersed in a joint effort between the armed forces and the Ministry of Interior.

Pro-Morsi protesters who had been sitting-in around Rabaa Al-Adaweya mosque in Cairo and Al-Nahda Square in Giza were finally reunited with family and friends after over a month of sleeping out in the streets.

The Surrogates; Extract (2)

MY MOM FED me “the Cranberries syndrome”. As a little girl, I remember late-night insomnia, my father fast asleep, Noor a baby girl – barely over six years old – and the relaxed sound of my mother’s humming, painting in the dark with some Cranberry song in the background.

“Ferry,” she’d scold in her drawling, sweet tone, “why are you out of bed? It’s a school night!”

Yet, her displeasure would soon falter, allowing me in a minute to share her late-night creative incursions. As I sat at the couch opposite her easel, sipping hot, sweetened milk from a music-playing mug – my favorite mug – I’d think I’m the luckiest daughter in the world. And indeed I was lucky, for I was the daughter of the unique Dina Maghawry.