A close-to-capacity crowd filled MUB Theater II on Wednesday for a discussion titled, "Forum on Protests in Egypt and the Arab World."
Including a mix of academic analysis and first-hand perspective, the panelists were in agreement that a profound shift in regional politics has occurred, even if the full tale has yet to be told in Egypt.
Panelists were comprised of three UNH professors who specialize in the Middle East, as well as a professor and student at UNH who are originally from Egypt. The Student Senate Academic Affairs Council, the Center for International Education, and the recently-created Middle Eastern Studies minor sponsored the forum.
The idea for the forum came independently from all three sponsors, according to panelist and political science professor Jeannie Sowers, a specialist in Middle Eastern and Egyptian politics, as the significance of the political events in Egypt grew among segments of the UNH community.
Mass demonstrations have been ongoing in Egypt for more than two weeks, as protestors seek to oust the regime of President Hosni Mubarak, who has held his position since 1981. The protests in Egypt follow on the heels of similar ones in nearby Tunisia that occurred in January, which resulted in the departure of that country's long-serving president.
The Tunisian revolution had a profound effect upon Egyptians, according to panelist Ihab Farag, a chemical engineering professor.
"People didn't know how to express their anger until Tunisia," he said.
According to Sowers, the way in which the protests have spread from Tunisia has made it relatable to students.
"This is the most exciting moment in the Middle East in decades," she said.
In addition to Sowers and Farag, the other panelists where comprised of Etha Wolper, professor of history, Alasdair Drysdale, professor of geography, and Michael Elwardany, a graduate civil engineering student.
Following the individual speeches, a significant time was devoted to questions from the audience, which extended past the event's allotted time.
Sowers said she hoped the forum offered a more in-depth analysis of the events in addition to giving students the chance to learn from Farag and Elwardany, who are from Egypt and still have connections there.
Elwardany came to the U.S. to study from Alexandria, Egypt last July. Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city, and a major site of some of the protests, which some of Elwardany's friends are participating in.
For his part, Elwardany supports the right of the people to protest, which he came to the forum hoping to affirm.
"They need freedom and democracy," he said. "They deserve it."
Additionally, he sought to dispel a perceived campaign of propaganda and misinformation by the Egyptian government, directed to both the West as well as to Egyptians.
In an emotional and candid speech, Elwardany warned those in attendance to not take what his government is saying as truth. Any government tends to say lies when it is in trouble, he said.
To Western media, the government is claiming that a hostile regime will take hold if the current one collapses, or that there should be no change because the people aren't ready for democracy.
To its own people, the government is framing the protestors as a minority being paid to protest, or as being spies for the U.S., Iran and Israel, he said. Beyond the validity of these claims, "How could the U.S., Iran and Israel ever have spies working together?" Elwardany joked.
Contrary to government propaganda, the demonstrations don't belong to any party.
"It's the whole people. They know their rights," he said.
Professor Sowers agreed in the resoluteness of the protestors.
"Unless they've got commitment [of reform] that is tangible, they won't give up because this is their chance," Sowers said. "It is an amazing moment of opportunity."
Senior political science major Ashley Rennebu, a member of the Student Senate Academic Affairs Council, and one of the organizers of the event, said she was happy with the turnout.
"[Elwardany] was a powerful speaker," she said. "He knows first hand what things are like. I think people liked that."
Fellow senior political science major Joelle Calcavecchia agreed that it was interesting to learn Elwarddany's perspective as a college-aged student in Egypt, adding that she hopes more forums like these will be held in the future.
Meanwhile, the events in Egypt continue to unfold. It is still unclear whether Egypt will act as the next domino to fall in the region after the Tunisian revolution.
However, that may be irrelevant. According to Sowers, the protests already have "irrevocably changed the political regime."
The Egyptians in attendance were already looking forward.
"This isn't the Egypt I grew up in," Farag said. "I hope it can be beautiful again."
For Elwardany, that future has been written.
"Now I am proud of my country," Elwardany said. "I really admire the people. We can do anything if we really believe in it."