We are witnessing political protests and uprising in different parts of Middle East. The year 2011 began with an uprising in Tunisia which started with an act of protest of one single man, news of which spread like a wild fire and soon people of Tunisia took to the streets and overthrew the oppressive regime almost overnight. Now the same protests have spread to other countries of the Middle East and shaken up the whole world just like an earthquake does. Protesters are out in streets in Egypt forcing President Hosni Mubarak to call in military, people are coming out and protesting in Yemen, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other small nations as well.

People’s voices are being heard and echoed thanks to the power of media and social networking tools. Any common man can join protest and fight for freedom using just one handheld weapon – the cell phone, which connects the person via internet to twitter, facebook and other social networking tools to the other protesters and the world. Authorities in Egypt and other nations are desperate to block internet and communications but no one can put out fast spreading wild fire easily.

Middle East never looked so unified before and most amazing aspect is, unifying force is not religious or any political agenda, people across different Arab countries are demanding dignified existence and freedom (apart from basic needs like food and shelter) that have been denied to them for decades (probably centuries) by their corrupt dictatorial regimes. This is first time in the history of the world, different religious groups, political parties have not been able to hijack basic issues to create rift, conflict among people for their own vested interests.

It may seem an amateur, foolish and suicidal act to take to streets and make an attempt to overthrow a powerful oppressive regime without political alternatives and leaderships in place, but it is an historical act of defiance because very survival is at stake, people need food, jobs, freedom and choices. People have found a medium and platform to voice their dissent and say, “Enough” to their oppressors. The very fact that Tunisian dictator and Egypt government ministers have stepped down shows might of masses.

These are changing times indeed; internet and social networking tools are inter-connecting divided lands and people of various walks of life from different lands just like a river does. Maybe even creators of these social networking sites didn’t imagine the true power of the applications they have created.

Via The New York Times