GROSSMONT COLLEGE — The President of Egypt, Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak has stepped down, after nearly three decades of what plenty consider to have been a corrupt dictatorship.

According to Human Rights Watch, “today belongs to the people of Egypt as they celebrate a great triumph in their struggle for freedom, dignity and human rights against decades of repression and corruption.”

President Obama said the following: “The people of Egypt have spoken. Their voices have been heard and Egypt will never be the same…”

Here on campus, there are strong opinions as well.  “It is great for Egypt and the Middle East…Mubarak was a dictator…and after 30 years years he is leaving, because the Egyptians were brave enough to stand up,” said Sharifa Hagi, a Grossmont student of Yemeni descent who hopes that the events in Egypt will encourage change in other places, among which she named Yemen, Tunisia, Somalia and Sudan.

Egyptian-American Dr. Sonia Ghattas-Soliman, Grossmont instructor of Arabic, Arabic club advisor and Arabic, French and Italian Coordinator said the following:

“As Egyptian-American, it is with great pride and admiration, that I witness the results of the Egyptian people’s determination.

“Today, is a memorable day for Egypt and a remarkable tribute to the people of Egypt. It took only eighteen days for the Egyptians, men and women, young and old to force Mubarak’ s resignation.

“…Egypt has regained its dignity and it’s a new beginning for this great country. The eyes of the World are on Egypt and its people, wishing them a peaceful and smooth transition.

“While the road ahead will not be an easy one, let’s hope that the same commitment and determination that united the Egyptians will lead them to a bright future.”

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Lindquist is managing editor of the GC Summit; email him at [email protected]