From Tahrir to Dhaka: Lessons from Egypt’s Uprising for Bangladesh’s Freedom Movement

In the busy streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, a wave of strong voices from young minds took the nation by storm, echoing the chants of change and freedom that once soared in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. As thousands of brave Bangladeshis took to the streets, risking everything they have, demanding an end to corruption, inequality and brutality, the world watched, especially those who have been through dictatorship. They watched with bated breath and beating hearts for those carrying the flag of change and challenging what others thought to be impossible. The scene resembled the Middle East and North Africa, which were taken by storm by free young souls chanting in the streets for freedom, justice and equality. However, while the Egyptian uprising in 2011 inspired hope and captured the hearts of millions, its tragic aftermath serves as a cautionary take for those now seeking change in Bangladesh.

The Arab Spring and Egypt’s uprising: A Beacon of Hope

The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests and uprisings that began in late 2010, spreading across the Arab world like wildfire. The spark came from Tunisia, and their chants were heard in Cairo, Damascus and Tripoli. On January 25th 2011, Egyptians from all colors and backgrounds walked the streets from all directions. In the main square in Cairo, Tahrir Square, they demanded the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for nearly three decades. Egyptians from all walks of life gathered that day to reclaim Egypt for its citizens. However, for an aware minority, it was more than that. It was to put an end to a military occupation that laid waste to the country over 60 years of dictatorship.

The uprising was fueled by economic frustration, the corruption that became the norm in all governmental institutions and police brutality. The inequality in Egypt was so immense that it was quite common for people to feel that they belonged to the country, but the country didn’t belong to them but to those in power.

On February 11th 2011, Mubarak’s resignation marked what many believed to be the dawn of a new era. We had dreams of building a democratic country on the foundations of freedom, dignity and justice. Celebrations were heard in all streets, even by those who stood against the uprising locally in the mainstream media or by international parties that have safeguarded dictatorship in Egypt.

Bangladesh’s Uprising: A new chapter in a global struggle

In 2024, the streets of Dhaka raged with the same energy that once took Cairo’s streets by storm. Despite the differences in history, culture and political context, the underlying conditions for the uprising were similar to the one in Cairo. Economic hardship, government corruption and lack of civil rights have pushed the Bangladeshis to a tipping point, unleashing protests that kept growing in numbers, strength and demands.

What stands out as a similarity is the role of the youth. A generation that refused to live with conditions inherited from the past. A generation that is connected and empowered by digital means. Social media, just like in Egypt, served as the means to share the truth of what was happening away from mainstream media. Civil society groups, students and opposition voices came together to decide on the future of the nation.

As the movement gained momentum, the parallels with Egypt’s experience grew more apparent. The chant to take the system down was equal on both sides. In both cases, social media served as a lifeline to mobilise a large number of people and draw international attention to their cause. It was the same desperate move to cut down all telecommunications, sending the country to the Stone Ages.

Drawing Parallels: Egypt 2011 vs. Bangladesh Today

Despite these similarities, the paths of Egypt’s uprising and Bangladesh’s movement could diverge dramatically if the right lessons are learned. The Egyptian revolution, initially successful in ending Mubarak’s rule, eventually collapsed due to internal conflicts, external interference, and the careful planning of a military establishment that had no intentions of giving up power to the people.

A significant challenge in Egypt was the lack of a common vision of what came after Mubarak. There has been a lack of cohesive leadership that can unite people. The unity that had brought down the dictator quickly dissolved into factionalism, as different groups with different agendas wanted to lead the revolution in various directions.

That division and distraction weakened the movement, making it vulnerable to manipulation by the military, which ultimately seized power under the flag of safeguarding the nation’s stability. The military establishment worked actively on deepening the country’s division and using internal conflicts as a stone to derail the uprising and make the train crash before it reached its destination.

Another critical lesson from Egypt’s experience is the grave danger of relying on the military as an ally in the fight for democracy. In Egypt, one day after the resignation of Mubarak, the military saluted the uprising and the heroic martyrs of the Egyptian youth who died defending their country’s independence from dictatorship. In the aftermath, in the middle of the organised chaos in the streets, the Army presented itself as a friend of the revolution and as the stabilising guard for the streets that had no active police force. Only then did they betray all their vows by carefully planning and carrying out a military coup in 2013.

Bangladesh’s activists must remain vigilant against similar dynamics. The military may offer short-term stability, but its long-term interests conflict with the principles of democracy. To protect the revolution, the people of Bangladesh must insist on civilian leadership and resist any attempt to allow the military to dictate the terms of their future.

Bangladesh must remember that autocracy does not end until the whole system is down. Taking down the head of the system is a great step, but it is only the start of a whole new era of fighting against the system that has infested all the country’s bodies. As the revolution took one head down, that system can generate multiple heads, just like Hydra in the Greek mythologies, when decapitated, sprouted two more heads from each wound.

Learning from Egypt’s Uprising: Safeguarding Democracy in Bangladesh

As Bangladesh navigates this critical juncture, its citizens and leaders must draw on lessons from Egypt’s revolution. The first step is to stay united. Make sure that the movement remains inclusive, representing the voices of all Bangladeshi communities, including women, indigenous peoples, and minorities and marginalised communities. Bangladesh’s movement must avoid the mistake of division that once killed the revolution in Egypt. Bangladesh needs to empower unity and shared purpose that motivates people to keep pushing against all the setbacks and traps that will be planned for them along the way.

Nevertheless, the movement must be grounded in the principles of law and respect for democratic institutions, being aware that for a country that was deprived of those institutions, it will be a challenge to convey this message to all parties involved. Some may try to force their agendas regardless of those institutions. All of Bangladesh must stand firm against all attempts to go beyond democratic principles. One of the tragedies of Egypt’s transition was the failure to build strong, independent institutions capable of upholding democratic norms and holding leaders accountable. Almost three years after the revolution and nearly one year after the first freely elected civilian president in Egypt, the dictatorship’s arms were still almost intact. The corrupted justice system was still operating with the same old faces that guarded the system along with the police force. Media and journalists who lied to the people for decades were still allowed on television and in print.

A lesson from history is that big changes are usually led by those small, persistent minorities. Don’t let massive demonstrations fool you. The majority of the common people will mostly seek stability and economic well-being above all for the sake of survival. The military establishment has always presented itself as the safeguard of the country’s security, stability and economic sustainability. In Egypt’s first elections, the people were almost equally divided between a civilian candidate and a general from the military establishment. In the blink of an eye, it felt like the youth had sacrificed their lives to rebel against the military dictatorship just for the common people to elect another general. Be aware the common people might have different priorities in a country that has ground economic challenges and hardships.

The Road Ahead for Bangladesh

The fight for freedom is never easy, and the path ahead for Bangladesh will undoubtedly be full of challenges. However, dictators look similar in so many ways. Funded and protected by parties with similar interests. They share tactics as if they have inherited them from one another. By learning from Egypt and other nations that have undergone similar uprisings, Bangladesh’s movement has the potential to achieve lasting change.

The only way forward lies in unity, vigilance, and a commitment to democratic principles. The movement must remain focused on its goals, resist the temptation to resort to violence and avoid the pitfalls of factionalism. There is no way forward without a broad-based coalition that can represent the diverse society of all Bangladeshis and can live up to their aspirations.

Finally, the people of Bangladesh must be prepared to defend their gains against any attempt to undermine or reverse the progress they have earned with their lives. This will require the establishment of strong, independent institutions that can act as guardians of democracy as well as a legal framework that protects the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

Keeping hope alive

The echoes of chants in Tahrir Square a decade ago resonate in Dhaka today, reminding us that the struggle for well-being, freedom and justice is a universal one. As Bangladesh stands at a crossroads, the lessons from Egypt’s 2011 uprising offer both inspiration and caution. By learning from the success and failures of Egypt’s revolution., the people of Bangladesh can draw a story of success and resilience. A story of people united against their differences to achieve one goal. Freedom!

The uprising succeeded, but the revolution is not over. The world is watching, and the skies are high. But with unity, determination, and a solid commitment to the revolutionary goals, Bangladesh can emerge from this uprising stronger and more united than ever before, serving as a beacon of hope for all those whose souls go out for freedom and justice every day.

Perhaps the success of the revolution in Bangladesh can, in turn, motivate those somewhere else to seek their freedom, and chants could be sounded in Tahrir once more!●

Islam Aly is an Arab Spring and pro-Palestine activist.