By Lisa Schick

PA residents celebrate Mubarak exit

Feb 11, 2011 | 10:10 AM

Celebrations erupted in Cairo with chanting and fireworks with the news that President Hosni Mubarak stepped down and Prince Albert residents are celebrating with them.

“I was screaming and I was hugging and I tell all my friends, my co-workers and I was jumping and then for a minute I was crying for the people that (died),” said Amna Hamid, a Prince Albert woman who lived in Cairo for most of her life.

“I wish they can for a minute wake up and see (the) happiness today.”

When Muhamed Daoud heard the news he was surprised and ecstatic.

“Did he? Oh I can’t believe that. Okay, that’s really wonderful.”

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After 18 days of citizen protests and two speeches announcing he would not relinquish power, Friday morning Egyptian Vice-President Omar Suleiman announced Mubarak’s resignation from his the presidency.

Hamid said she watched the news every morning during the crisis, but didn’t end up turning it on Friday until someone else told he what had happened.

“As soon as they called me I turned on the TV, I (brought) all my co-workers and students (and) everybody (came) just (to) be happy for (the Egyptian people).”

This revolution is especially important for Daoud because he tried to fight for change in his country when he lived there.

“I have been trying most of my life to make a change happen in my country and I couldn’t.”

Daoud said his family still in Egypt would “definitely” be out celebrating the ousting of Mubarak.

Until a new ruler is announced the Egyptian military will run the country.

Hamid thinks the military will improve the country because identify with the Egyptian citizens.

“The military joined the people yesterday, they spoke on the TV they said (we’re) with the people,” Hamid said.

Both Daoud and Hamid are planning to return to Egypt in the summer.

“I can’t wait to be there,” said Daoud.

“Soon my son (will be finished) exams in July… then we’re (going to) run to Egypt,” Hamid said and she laughed.

Mubarak was the President of Egypt for 30 years from 1981 to 2011.

The popular uprising that forced Mubarak to give up his power began on Jan. 25 and continued until the announcement of his resignation.

For more information:

Prince Albert woman calls home to Egypt

Distrust of promises stretches across continents

Egypt protests hit close to home

lschick@panow.com