American-Egyptians and supporters are deeply disappointed by Mubarak's refusal to step down as President. CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinators shared how upset they were with the Egyptian President's decision, and their hopes for a peaceful resolution.

American-Egyptians and supporters are deeply disappointed by Mubarak's refusal to step down as President. CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinators shared how upset they were with the Egyptian President's decision, and their hopes for a peaceful resolution.

Christina Abraham is invited to to speak during the Midwest Regional Conference to discuss the legislative efforts linked with the Anti-War movements in America. Ethnic group leaders from across the Midwest will gather together and talk about the updates from the struggles against repression from FBI and Grand Jurys. Also a silent auction to help benefit the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

As crowds of protesters in Egypt erupted in anger, Egyptians in Chicago were glued to their televisions and computers as they grappled with what they called shocking news: The president of Egypt was not stepping down despite weeks of protests and hints that he would do so.

As protests continue to grow in Egypt, speculations regarding who will take President Hosni Mubarak’s place grow as well. For the past two weeks, U.S. media coverage has portrayed the Muslim Brotherhood to be first in line to succeed Mubarak’s regime. However, some say the Muslim Brotherhood is not as radical as most people think.

“He gave a 50,000-word speech that didn’t include the only word people wanted to hear, which is goodbye, said Ahmed Rehab, a democracy activist from Chicago in Egypt to join the protests. "Everybody was just sitting there not listening except for that word and when they didn’t hear it, that’s it, they were done. They didn’t want to hear anything else.”

As crowds of protesters in Egypt erupted in anger, Egyptians in the Chicago area were glued to their televisions and computers as they grappled with what they called shocking news: The president of Egypt was not stepping down, despite weeks of protests and hints that he would do so.

Chicagoans came out yet again, braving the freezing cold, to show support for democracy in Egypt. Watch our video!

"I think in order to have a true democracy, all segments of society, including the Muslim Brotherhood, including the left-wing socialists, including Copts [Egyptian Christians] who have been traditionally marginalized in national politics, need to be represented. We need to believe that democracy allows everybody to have a voice," said Ahmed Rehab regarding how the future Egyptian political system should function.

"What I can tell you is that one of the demands of this revolution was change. People want democracy. They want freedom. They want human rights," said Ahmed Rehab. "They want transparency in government. And they want an end to the politically corrupt atmosphere that really permeates many levels of government. Not just at the very top, but through all levels."

Mubarak forces in plain clothes and with horses and camels cracked down on protestors. Today's guests discuss what's happening and what may come next:Cherif Bassiouni is President Emeritus of DePaul University’s International Human Rights Institute.

Ahmed Rehab is Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago. He’s participated in the Cairo protests and blogs about his experiences at Mindful of Dreams.

Chicagoans came out in force on Saturday to show their support for Egyptians demanding democracy, and called on President Obama to urge an immediate change of the Egyptian government.

The DuPage County Development Committee (CDC) voted yesterday to recommend granting a permit to the MECCA Mosque, but the issue is not over yet. The County Board will vote on the matter next week. Call the County Board and show your support for MECCA as well as the other mosques seeking permits.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Egypt today in the largest demonstrations yet. Ahmed Rehab spent the day in Tahrir Square in Cairo, site of one of the largest gatherings. He tells us about the peaceful day of celebration. LISTEN HERE

Let us walk in solidarity with the people of Egypt, so as to remember that the path of freedom always leads to the same place: to peace, friendship and a better world.

Ahmed Rehab gives NPR updates from the ground. He’s the executive director of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He flew to Cairo to participate in the protests.

An uprising in Egypt intensifies as protesters risk their lives to demand that embattled president Hosni Mubarak step down.

"A Chicagoan is in the thick of the protests. Ahmed Rehab is the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago. He says Egyptians are demanding change after generations of stagnation."

The Egyptian government may have engineered a blackout on Internet and cell phones to keep protestors from communicating, but one call from a Chicagoan in Cairo got through. CBS 2's Mike Parker spoke with Ahmed Rehab, of the local Council on Islamic American Relations.

"I planned it to be here so that I could participate heart and soul, body and mind with the people during these times," Ahmed Rehab said in a phone call.