A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Monday, January 28, 2013

Carrying the "Black Saturday" Comparison Too Far: Semiramis Intercontinental Under Attack

Earlier today I compared the current disorders in Egypt not only to January 2011 but also to the violence of January 1952, which reached its apogee in "Black Saturday," most famous for the destruction by the mobs of the iconic British colonial Shepheard's Hotel.

At the time, I worried I was indulging in hyperbole. Now I'm not so sure: in the past hour this has been the Twitter feed of the Intercontinental Semiramis on the Cairo corniche:
I can only hope that help comes.
UPDATE: Special Forces are said to be arriving. Let's hope there are no injuries. The last thing Egypt needs is another blow to its tourist industry.

1 comment:

The Familiar Strange said...

It looks like some of the protesters actually came to the assistance of the hotel staff - http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/63584.aspx