Tweet Attacks | From Farmville To Tweet Nadwa And All What Falls In Between

NOT IN A MILLION years would one have predicted this humanitarian, peaceful and actually quite romantic Egyptian revolution. It was hard to grasp how what was usually labelled the "aimless" generation led a nation and inspired the world. In our first issue of our new monthly youth page, celebrating one year since the beginning of the 25 January Revolution, we aim to guide you to Egypt's greatest treasure: its youth.

Making up some 25 per cent of the population, from age 18 to 29, these young faces showed a great capacity to change, tolerate and adjust the status quo without violence. They used social media sites such as Facebook to turn them into a strong means of virtual activism; hence was passed on the need for change.

And for the first time people staged solidarity stands and discussed political matters instead of sharing Farmville news.

Connecting the on-and-off-line worlds was also a priority. Tweet Nadwa (Tweet Seminar) stands out as a purely Egyptian approach to take Twitter to real life meetings among off-line people to stir up the community on real grounds.

When thugs attacked and police fled, the same hands that played video games all night were the very ones that protected the neighbourhoods in fierce patrols. As for those in the Square, well they certainly proved that Egyptians truly hold the secret of life. They made tents out of plastic rolls, theatres out of sidewalks, hospitals out of churches and mosques, and even created a cinema facility to play videos of their attacks and assailants and the testimonies they documented.

Long beards, pony tails, Christians, Muslims, economic status -- all are mere labels that do not do justice to our young generation. They come in all forms, blend well, and have immense tolerance and respect for the "other" who we tend to fear so much. They all believe that this country deserves a better future and hence their endless struggle to attain a more just present. As far as they are concerned, they are all Egyptians.

Social responsibility is the key held by this generation which is quite attentive to the needs of underprivileged fellow Egyptians. With some 16,000 non-governmental organisations and dozens of fresh new social initiatives, our young were old enough to volunteer their ideas, efforts and skills to help sustain development in our country. And mind you, social responsibility is high among the economically disadvantaged who are donating their time to help those who are worse off.

We salute the young hands that protected Tahrir and all the squares of Egypt. The smiling eyes that were lost, and the martyrs who died for us to live. And the rest of you who inspire us every morning with wit, resilience and much hope for a better Egypt. You remain our treasure and we are forever indebted to you.