As of late January, the Middle East has seen major changes.  A popular uprising in Tunis toppled the government of Tunisia’s President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, sparking popular protests in other nearby states.  A number of Egyptians have protested in the streets, publicly calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down.  This has prompted curfews and crackdowns to try to contain the uprising, with Internet and cellphone shutdowns, seven people dead and over a thousand arrested in just the first few days.  Similar local protests started in Yemen and Jordan mere days later.  Several UMass students have links to the area and what’s currently going on.

Mass Media: What is your opinion of the popular uprisings in the Middle East?

Mohammed from Lebanon, Freshman

What happened in Tunis awakened Arabs in Egypt.  If they were able to oppose the government, so can we.  It’s time people at least spoke up and gave their opinions.  In the Middle East the governments don’t do what the people want, even the ones that are supposed to be democracies.  There is no democracy in the Middle East.

The [region] needs the US to stop interfering and back off.

Hamza Abdelgany, Junior

I think it’s great because most Arab countries have oppressive leaders and oppressive governments, leaders who have been in power for way too long.  I think the protests that have been sparked by Tunisia and spread – it’s past Egypt now, I heard there are protests in Yemen and Jordan too – it’s great because the people are finally standing up for themselves and taking responsibility for their actions.  They understand that there [are] going to be hardships and problems, but they’re ready to accept those to achieve a greater future.

Mushhoor Abu-Rubieh

The only problem I have with Egypt is that they’ve stayed silent through troubles in other countries around the Middle East.  [N]ow that they have their uprising it’s all good now that they’re trying to throw out the government, but I fear that the government that takes over will be as bad or worse than what’s in place, or that the US might install a government more about the US’ needs than Egypt’s. 

It’s causing a ripple effect, what Egypt and Tunisia are doing.  People in other countries [want] to overthrow their governments now.  I’m from Jordan, and the price controls there have been a major problem.