To skip to published messages of support, please click here.

Thank you for willingness to send words of encouragement to Kareem. Sending him messages and postcards by snail-mail is very important, not only because it will assuage his pains, but to also tell the government and prison that we are still watching.

Kareem is being held in Borg El-Arab prison, which is on the highway between Alexandria and Cairo. He is in a solitary confinement cell with a sergeant hired by State Security Service in Alexandria. His lawyers (Ahmed Saif and Rawda Ahmed) say that it is routine procedure because Kareem is considered to be a political prisoner.

Kareem has informed his lawyers that he is in good physical and psychological shape. He said he is well-fed, and is not mistreated by prison officials. He even seems to have many sympathizers in prison, indicating that Egyptians’ support of free expression is not aberrant. However, Kareem is obviously not happy with the sentence.

His family visited him in March. They castigated him, telling him that they are angry with him and that they will not visit him again. Kareem responded that they are free to do whatever they want.

Important notes:

• The Arabic mailing address must be included. (You can include any other language, but with the Arabic mailing address alongside it.)
• The letter itself can be in English or Arabic, the two languages Kareem understands. Note also that while Kareem can understand English well, his writing in that language is poor.
• Because of his political prisoner status, all mail sent to him will be read by prison officials before having them handed to him. Hence, we urge you to be careful not to write anything that could aggravate security officials. We are all upset at the sentence but we will be doing Kareem no good if his guards were to read negative diatribes. In fact, it would be nice if you note their appreciation of treating him well.
• You can send him packages, gifts, clothing, etc through the same address. According to his lawyers, Kareem is in need for clothing, as well as 200 Egyptian pounds per month (~ US$35).
• Some supporters have asked if they could visit Kareem. Unfortunately, only his family and lawyers have access to him.

Here’s his mailing address:

Arabic (must be included!)

عبدا لكريم نبيل سليمان
سجن برج العرب
الإسكندرية
عنبر 22 - غرفة 1
جمهورية مصر العربية

Jpeg version (for those whose computers don’t support Arabic):

English

Alexandria
Borg Al-Arab Prison
Room 10 Section 24
Prisoner Abdul Kareem Nabil Suleiman
The Arab Republic of Egypt

If you also wish to publish your message to Kareem here, please send it to the Editor with “Dear Kareem” in the subject line. In your e-mail message, please indicate:

A. Your name;
B. Your country of residence;
C. Your personal message to Kareem; and
D. Whether you would like your personal information to be published here.

The Editor reserves the right to correct spelling errors in your letter, as well as significant grammatical and structural mistakes.

We thank you for your continued solidarity with Kareem.

Messages of Support to Kareem

________________________________________________________________
From: Ana
Country: Spain
Date: Oct 31, 2007

Kareem, you’re a real inspiration, somebody who dared to think differently. Study hard, and keep your spirits up. I’m sure you’ll be remembered as a pioneer, and I hope others will follow your example.
________________________________________________________________
From: Prad Nadakuduty
Country: USA
Date: Aug 2, 2007

Kareem,
I am a college student in rural USA. I heard your story in a local newspaper
and was absolutely astonished. It makes me terribly frightened to know that
there are people who attempt to steal people’s basic human freedoms, but also
very proud to know that there are brave individuals like you to stand up to it,
despite the feared consequences. Please know that millions of people have heard
your story, and we are all supporting you. Despite what you’re government may
call you, we in America consider you an outstanding patriot. All the best.
________________________________________________________________
From: Lubomir Stejskal
Country: Czech Republic
Date: June 14, 2007

Dear Kareem: I send you greetings from a small country in heart of Europe. 18 years ago all my country was a one big jail. And what happened then? A miracle! Our country is free now. And it is your hope: a miracle of freedom and our international solidarity.

You are a hero of these foolish times. Your penalty is unjust and nonsencial but Free world knows you and your case and it is very important for your release from prison. Have a good hope, we are with you. You are not alone !!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Lubomir Stejskal
________________________________________________________________
From: Rosa
Country: USA
Date: May 11, 2007

Dear Kareem:

I will pray for you everyday, and hope that at least you are being treated humanely. You are a true leader and fighter for standing up for your human rights as you are. Brave doesn’t even begin to cover it. Please know that there are many of us out here who support you and wish nothing but the greatest victory for you, and will not forsake you.
________________________________________________________________
From: Halm Kazi
Country: Bangladesh
Date: May 6, 2007

Kareem, I salute you.

You are the Socrates, you are the Voltaire, you are the Zakaria Al-Mari, and you are the Omar Khayyam of our time.

You criticized Islam, they charge. Karim listen to me. I read the Holy book authored by great God. If I see anything unethical, inhuman, barbaric, I spare no time to criticize, oppose and reject. To me reason is over revelation. All sacred scriptures are man made and cleverly put in the mouth of god.

Be courageous. We are here to snatch you out from the prison.

Halm Kazi
Bangladesh
________________________________________________________________
From: Kareem Mohsen Ibrahim
Country: Canada
Date: April 15, 2007

Dear Kareem,

I want to congratulate you for speaking your voice and for speaking the truth that for years we all have been waiting for.

My name is Kareem Mohsen Ibrahim, and I too am Egyptian by blood. I’m currently studying at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada, and I just want to tell and encourage you to keep going and to tell the truth, because if we keep staying silent all the time, no one in the world will hear our truthful but painful message. I believe the reason you’re in jail is not due to a crime or coincidence, but rather I believe that the government prosecuted you because what you’re doing is right.

I heard about your story in our university newspaper, and since I’m the only Egyptian person in the university, I felt that I should build you up, and encourage you during the depth of despair and difficult times.

I know it surely takes lots of guts and bravery to stand up and shout out that message to the world; you are simply tired of keeping the thoughts to yourself, and you wanted to do something meaningful that can change the living status of this forever-changing globe.

Man, I’m so glad that you’re an example of the next Martin Luther King, Jr. Did you know that he wanted to free the black nation of the United States of America from segregation and injustice? I have attached the letter written by Martin Luther King, Jr. when he was in jail because he was being prosecuted by the government for doing the right action. He too was an extremist like you, and I’m a fan of his work and history. I think you should read it so it motivates you.

Finally, I want you to be sure that I will pray for you every time and day of my life, so that I know that you will win this battle and emerge victorious in God’s name. Put this way, God is on your side no matter what situation you’re in. I will also forward the website to every one I know and they will do something.

Take care and God bless you forever.

Your Egyptian brother in Canada,

Kareem Mohsen Ibrahim

________________________________________________________________
From: Omar
Country: USA
Date: April 8, 2007

Akhooya Kareem,

I hope this message finds you well (even though that might not be the case). Today I was arguing with my father about religion and he told me that I would go straight to hell because of what I believe. He said that if I did not change my beliefs that “I would not be his son”. I know how much it hurts to be not wanted, by the man you love the most nonetheless. I love my father to death, but if he wants me to choose by what I think is logic and what he thinks is right, then I would rather go by what I think is logic. Let his God judge.

You have my full support, I hope for your freedom everyday. Keep fighting, and the struggle will live on.
________________________________________________________________
From: Essam Uldin
Date: Apr 8, 2007

Dear Kareem,

Please accept my consideration and appreciation for your brave humanity.
________________________________________________________________
From: Nour
Date: April 5, 2007

كلنا في السجن مش كريم بس في دولة بوليسية

وظيفة المؤسسة الدينية فيها القضاء على البقية الباقية من العقل

________________________________________________________________
From: Veronica Slootsky
Country: USA
Date: April 5, 2007

My name is Veronica Slootsky. I am a student in the United States of America. I heard about your story and I just want to thank you for standing up for free speech. You are a brave person. I want to send you my favorite poem, Invictus. That means Unconquered, as you are.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

-William Ernest Henley

________________________________________________________________
From: Wes Jordan
Country: USA
Date: April 4, 2007

Dear Kareem,

I have only just now become aware of your deplorable treatment and want to assure you that your suffering is being felt worldwide. It represents the worst of humanity when any of us cannot abide the light of scrutiny revealing the injustices perpetrated by any institution, any state so afraid of criticism that it must persecute free action and speech. A world rid of such fear and oppression is one we all must struggle to attain. Stay strong. A free world is with you and working tirelessly for your release. I look forward to the day your important voice is returned to you and us.

Wes Jordan
________________________________________________________________
From: Simona
Country: Italy
Date: April 2, 2007

One week without writing; I was ill and furthermore, I’m afraid a being unable to tell you something that could help you.

So I just say: “Bye Kareem I never stop thinking of you.”

Love Simona
________________________________________________________________
From: Adriaan Krabbendam
Country: The Netherlands
Date: March 30, 2007

Dear Kareem,

Thank you for speaking up your mind, especially concerning the position of women in Islam. I am not a Muslim, but have a deep respect for those that fight for freedom of speech and opinion, and for equal rights for men and women. It’s a shame what “they” have done to you. No one deserves such an unfair conviction.

Therefore I posted a comment (in Dutch) on one of my blogs:
http://www.ottomaanzaad.nl/Karim_Amar.

We’ll struggle until you’re free again.

Adriaan Krabbendam
The Netherlands
________________________________________________________________
From: Jeff Young
Country: USA
Date: March 29, 2007

Kareem,

I recently read of your great courage in an article by Tom Palmer. I want you to know my prayers are with you. My family and I greatly appreciate your moral courage. We will not forget what the Egyptian government has done to you nor will we allow our government officials to forget.

Keep up your faith and stay strong.

Jeff Young, USA
________________________________________________________________
From: Paula
Country: USA
Date: March 28, 2007

Dear Kareem,

I heard about your case from an article in my local newspaper. I’d like to wish you all the luck in the world with your case. Maybe with enough international pressure, you will be freed, and soon. Don’t give up hope, and try not to be intimidated by the cowards who are trying to keep you and others exercising free speech quiet.

“Godspeed” to you,
Paula
New York, USA
________________________________________________________________
From: Esam
Date: March 27, 2007

انا مع اطلاق سراح الطالب كريم واضم صوتي مع كل محبي الحرية واقول نحن معك يا كريم ومع الحرية التي لا غنى عنها

________________________________________________________________
From: Annie K. Spiers
Country: USA
Date: March 27, 2007

You’re a true hero Kareem, and an example of courage for all the young people out there. We are the creation of God, and our creator didn’t make us slaves… He gave us a soul, our thoughts and our freedom, and we have to fight for them.

You are making a difference, and if in every 100 people we could have a Kareem, this world would be a better and a ‘free’ place.

Thank you Kareem and God bless you.

Annie K. Spiers
________________________________________________________________
From: Yasmine
Country: UK
Date: March 27, 2007

Hello,

Such a shame you are in jail. I hope Mubarak frees you as soon as possible but I did not like your article. You criticize Islam, which is not fair. Islam accepted the people of the book, Christ and Moses and they were prophets of god. Islam is a good religion. Yes you may be from Egypt but you seem to have no idea what Islam is all about; you base your judgements on extremists who give Islam a bad name. Please find out about Islam before you insult it. Thank you. (I hope the honest person who is reading this will give you the message.)

Yasmine from Britain.
________________________________________________________________
From: Maria Kapsou
Country: Greece
Date: March 26, 2007

Dear Kareem,

I hope that this e-mail will give you the courage and strength to hold on all the difficult situations you are going through. All my love.

Maria
________________________________________________________________
From: Manolis Kotiadis
Country: Greece
Date: March 26, 2007

Dear Kareem,

My name is Manolis Kotiadis and i live in Greece.

This is the least I could do for your case but I hope it is something for your cause and for yourself.

Hope you’ll find the courage to overcome this and spread out your message.

Regards.
________________________________________________________________
From: Anandawardhana
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: March 26, 2007

Dear Karim,

I am a Sri Lankan blogger publishing under the pseudonym Anandawardhana.

[http://webalochana.apeblog.com]

I wish to extend my fullest support to your struggle for human rights and freedom of expression. The news about your imprisonment brought us a terrible shock. However, I am optimistic that the united force that is being developed across the world for your freedom will succeed in the end. In addition, let me assure you that bloggers, journalists, writers, activists and people all around the world are deeply concerned about your case.

With the revival of fundamentalisms of all colors and shades, freedom of expression is facing a tremendous threat in an international scale. Your case is yet another manifestation of this trend. Some of your writings are now available in English and I have read almost all of them. It is obvious that those who have taken “legal” action against you are far less powerful than you are. In fact, they are afraid of the truth being written and spoken out loud. What you have written has shown the way to thousands of others who are willing to raise their voices against oppression, feudal backwardness and all types of violations. You are a pioneer. We are proud of what you have done and we will stand by you throughout this difficult time.

I am going to write blog entries about you and your case in Sinhala, in my mother language to enlighten the people in my country as well. Please take good care of yourself until you come back to your normal life.

Hereby I urge the Egyptian government and all the responsible bodies to stop this violation of fundamental rights, and free Abdul Kareem Nabil Soliman!

Sincerely,

Anandawardhana
Sri Lankan blogger
________________________________________________________________
From: Claire
Country: France
Date: March 25, 2007

Excerpt from Letters to a Young Poet by German poet and writer Rainer Maria Rilke, early 20th century (translated by Stephen Mitchell)

Roma, May 14, 1904

[…]And you should not let yourself be confused in your solitude by the fact that there is something in you that wants to move out of it. This very wish, if you use it calmly and prudently and like a tool, will help you spread out your solitude over a great distance. Most people have (with the help of conventions) turned their solutions toward what is easy and toward the easiest side of the easy; but it is clear that we must trust in what is difficult; everything alive trusts in it, everything in Nature grows and defends itself any way it can and is spontaneously itself, tries to be itself at all costs and against all opposition. We know little, but that we must trust in what is difficult is a certainty that will never abandon us; it is good to be solitary, for solitude is difficult; that something is difficult must be one more reason for us to do it. […]

________________________________________________________________
From: Monad
Date: March 25, 2007

عزيزي كريم
فقط تذكر انك لست الاول و لست الاخير
ايمن نور اولا والان مرتضى منصور
فى ظل حكومة الفساد و الافساد كل شيء مباح
ولكن لكل ظالم نهاية
اعتقد ان النهاية قريبة جدا
تشجع قلوبنا معك
موناد

________________________________________________________________
From: C. Jolie
Date: March 25, 2007

Kareem is a new Egyptian hero; we support him from our hearts we hope all the Egyptian youth to be as Kareem for better Egypt.

We have to support Kareem against the Islamic terrorism in Egypt, against the Islamic barbaric way of thinking.

Please Kareem you have to be always strong.
You are right you have to stick in your way.
We all are behind you supporting you.

The entire liberal world is supporting you.
________________________________________________________________
From: Brian Faulkner
Country: USA
Date: March 24, 2007

Hello Kareem,

Today I send you a poem which I wrote many years ago. I hope it will give you emotional fuel to continue to be strong.

A Man

They fed him the word of God,
“To make you good”, they said.
But he spat it back at them
And their ears were a lovely red.

They shouted the word of God,
“To lead you true!” they said.
But he only smiled, then sang,
“I walk alone till I’m dead.”

And he walked alone through time,
And he rode alone through space,
And the light of a godless rhyme
Shone as the sun on his face.

“From star to star I stride,
From God’s to Manhood’s height.
Strange worlds on either side
Touch me with a wondering light.

“I wave them a happy hand,
And they sing back with glee,
‘He’s Man, he’s in command,
He sets his great soul free!’

“I mount with my ship the sky;
I go where I think I can.
I’ll follow my mind till I die,
From beginning to end a man.”

I add that, although I was raised as a Christian, I discovered at the age of 14 that what I held as God in my mind was only my imagination. I think this “God is my imagination” is true for all believers, but only very few ever have the courage to admit it to themselves, to admit to an habitual self-deception. Meanwhile, every believer goes about saying that the object of his own imagination—God, or Allah—is an actual thing existing in reality outside of his mind, and everyone bows and submits his mind to the deception, and refuses to become a thing which is greater than his imagination—-a real, free, rational man living on the earth.

Yours in honesty, Brian Faulkner
________________________________________________________________
From: Simona Cassina
Country: Italy
Date: March 24, 2007

Dear beautiful second son Kareem,

I do understand everything must be done to make you free, and also I really try to feel how hard your situation is.

But please let me say that “you are free” because freedom is inside you and the walls around you are only the without end mirrors of all the thoughts and writings addressed to you from all over the world.

Today is Saturday. You are at lunch with us.

Love, Simona.
________________________________________________________________
From: Rocky Swift
Country: USA
Date: March 23, 2007

Hello Kareem,

This is Rocky Swift from the U.S., though I live in Tokyo, Japan.

I actually met you briefly at a kind of beach party near the Suez Canal last summer. I think we had a race during the games that day. I wish I’d talked to you more at that event, and it breaks my heart to hear what’s happened to you. I respect you very much, and I pray you will have your freedom again soon.

Try not to lose hope. Many thousands and millions of people are thinking of you and supporting your cause.

Stay strong,

–Rocky
________________________________________________________________
From: Amy Obonaga
Country: USA
Date: March 23, 2007

Dear Kareem:

I am saddened to learn that your family has not been able to be there for you. I am sure that I am not the only one to tell you about what your strength does for us/to us, what the rest of us on the other side of the prison bars owe you, and how your work has brought new friends and family to love you.

I recently visited Egypt and had the opportunity to experience the famed Arab hospitality. Upon return I read of how the Egyptian government defies the warmth and kindness of the people and harms their own denizens. Those who have unjustly imprisoned you slander themselves and Egyptian jurisprudence.

We are writing, speaking, and telling others of your unjust imprisonment.

My admiration and respect,
Amy Obonaga
________________________________________________________________
From: Roman Kaminski
Country: Australia
Date: March 23, 2007

Dear Kareem Amer,

Kareem I live in a very small rural area in Australia 20 km from the nearest town. You are only one and, I am only one but with thousands of others around the world who are showing concern for you, to have the freedom in speaking up the way you want without feeling that it is unjust, and without being imprisoned or tortured.

And thank you to all the people behind the scene, who are working hard in organizing to free you, Kareem.

Good luck and best wishes to all involved, we are with you Kareem.

Roman Kaminski
Victoria, Australia
________________________________________________________________
From: Simona Cassina
Country: Italy
Date: March 23, 2007

Dear Kareem,

Since I knew about you I can’t avoid from thinking every day that you are old as my son Martino is and how different is the kind of life you have to face. However I’m so proud of Martino and what can I say about you less that you are a great young man. If your parents left you alone, just choose some others. In my heart you are my second beautiful son!

Love, Simona.
________________________________________________________________
From: Dimitris-Lazaros Koros
Country: Greece
Date: March 23, 2007

Dear Kareem,

My name is Dimitris and I am from Thessaloniki, Greece. I heard about your case from the local press. I was not surprised. I know that fundamental freedoms are violated all around the world. I know that people like you are fighting by all means to achieve freedom of expression, regardless the fear of arrest and condemnation by the forces of conservatism. I must say I envy your courage, because if the same thing had happened to me, I wouldn’t know what I would have done.

Your effort will have the results we all want to, someday freedom will prevail.

You should know that you are not alone. Thousands of people, activists, journalists, politicians, lawyers, and other friends from all around the world think of you all day long and are touched by the cruelty of depression you face.

They must know that you are not alone. They must be sure that there are people like you who cannot stand the unfairness you and other people face.

Your friends from around the world are worried about you and visit you every day in prison, because you would do the same thing.

Good luck and be patient.
The struggle continues.
________________________________________________________________
From: Sharon
Country: Israel
Date: March 22, 2007

Dear Kareem,

Voltaire said “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it”.

Or as the great promoters of the Free Kareem Coalition wrote: “Free speech doesn’t mean ’speech that you approve of’. It includes criticism”.

This is the basic assumption of freedom of speech.

Therefore, those who agreed with your words and those who didn’t – everyone must understand that, in any case, it is absurd that you are in jail now.

And everyone must do an effort to spread your history, in order to help you and a lot of others, all around the world, who are prevented from expressing their own opinions.

I wish you could enjoy freedom as soon as possible and that your struggle won’t be vain.

Sharon
________________________________________________________________
From: Michael Colin
Country: Israel
Date: March 22, 2007

I just saw an article about you and I wanted to tell you how deeply sympathetic I am to your struggle for free speech and open dialogue. I hope that you are freed soon but that you continue speaking up and doing what you feel is right. Our world needs more people like you that are willing to stand up and resist outdated and corrupt modes of thought. Be strong! And know that you are highly appreciated all over the world. Please feel free to update me with any of your future activities.

Michael.
________________________________________________________________
From: Frayda Levin
Country: USA
Date: March 22, 2007

Dear Kareem:

You are inspiring the spread of freedom. In New Jersey our government is trying to impose many controls on us. I told my husband how afraid I was to contact one of our legislators about this and voice my concern.

My husband reminded me that I really bear little personal risk - except maybe to get in an argument with legislative staff. We both then noted, what you did - to blog knowing you could be arrested, then get arrested and not relent - that was true courage.

It inspired me to contact our legislators - and exercise our right to speak out. I know that the more we speak out the more we protect our freedom. So you are helping us in America.

I hope that in the near future you will be able to come to America and join us in our fight to keep freedom here. But also join us in our lives in prosperity.

With much respect and true admiration,
Frayda Levin
Morris County NJ
________________________________________________________________
From: Ben [real name withheld –ed.]
Country: Denmark
Date: March 22, 2007

Dear Kareem

First of all, you are a very brave man. If anyone says otherwise, know that they are wrong; know that they are the cowards, not you. Your courage and persistence is remarkable, and even though I would like to believe that I would do the same thing if I was in your place, I doubt I would have the courage. For that I admire you, and I thank you - for having the willpower and strength to do what is right, even though it has horrible personal consequences for you.

I think that what you have done, no one should be punished for. Not in Egypt, not anywhere else. Speaking one’s mind is not a crime no matter what the law says - no, to hold one’s breath when confronted with the wrongdoings of others is.

Know that many people around the world admire you and what you do, and that you are not alone. Know that people in other countries are working hard to get you free. On my blog, I have posted a standard letter in Danish to the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs demanding your release, and that diplomatic cooperation with the corrupt and immoral regime of Mubarak should be stopped immediately because of this incident. I have told many people I know to send the letter as well.

I, like you, am not alone. Many people like me are out there, and even though you cannot talk to us, see us or hear us in your jail cell, know that we are out there, and that we are on your side.

What does not kill you make you stronger.

Yours sincerely

Ben, Denmark
________________________________________________________________
From: Rebecca Witonsky
Country: USA
Date: March 22, 2007

Dear Kareem,

I have been blogging on your behalf since I learned that you were imprisoned and tortured for speaking out for women’s rights and Coptic rights in Egypt.

I spoke with our mutual friend Zainab about your case last week and was deeply saddened when she told me that she knew you because she had met you and gotten to know you through a conference in Egypt last August. She also told me about how your family had disowned you, and I was deeply pained by that cruelty as well.

I am doing all in my power to help you gain your freedom. I believe your imprisonment shows the cruelty and injustice of the Mubarak regime which is seeking to destroy the hope, ideal, and dream of freedom in the hearts of the Egyptian people. Your imprisonment symbolizes the moral bankruptcy of your captors. In addition the U.S. government’s indifference to your plight is an appalling sign of American appeasement of Arab tyranny that saddens and outrages me deeply as an American.

You are an incredibly brave young man to risk your life and safety for your belief in freedom in a country where the leaders are seeking to suppress the people’s natural yearning for liberty. Your writings in translation have stirred my heart and soul.

Please be assured that you are not forgotten, and I will continue to speak out for you until you are free.

Sincerely,
Ms. Rebecca Witonsky
USA
________________________________________________________________
From: [Anonymous]
Date: March 21, 2007

انا مع اطلاق سراح الاستاذ كريم ومع كل من يقول رايه بحرية وليستمر جميع محبي ومشجعي حرية الراي فى ابداء رايهم بدون خوف حتى تصبح واقع

________________________________________________________________
From: Brian Faulkner
Country: USA
Date: March 21, 2007

Dear Kareem, My name is Brian Faulkner. I am an American. I am sympathetic to your personal cause, to your life, your mind, your eventual freedom, because I know how rare a thing it is for a man to understand what freedom is and that it should be supremely valued. To read your words is an inspiration. To know that you are such a completely independent thinker strikes deeply in my secular soul. As the philosopher/novelist Ayn Rand said, reason is man’s highest virtue. That being true, you are a very virtuous man. The men who imprison you, the men who initiate force against you, prove by their actions that they are evil. Evil is not destined to win on earth. It may seem to win temporarily, but in the long run it is doomed. Even in the short run, within an evil man’s mind, he is a loser. A state of self-confident happiness is not his, for he has not earned it. Psychological justice demands that he pay for his crimes against free individuals with fear and continual self-doubt. He has made himself unworthy of a state of innocent enjoyment of the simplest of life’s pleasures.

But all this does not help get you out of prison, where you should not be. Injustice, at present, rules the lives of many men, and there is little that I can do to aid you but to express my admiration for your strength and for your love of truth. One thing more, however, of a concrete kind—-perhaps it would be possible for you to get a copy of a novel by the world’s only consistently rational philosopher, Ayn Rand. In America, she and her disciples are the only hope against a return to the dark ages. In fact her philosophy, Objectivism, is the world’s only hope. Her primary virtue, which makes possible the virtues of reason, pride, and self-esteem, is intellectual and psychological independence. Submission finds no place in the minds of her heroes and heroines. She worships only the man who has the strength to stand alone, to see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears, and think with his own mind.

I wish you success in doing whatever you have to do to win.

Sincerely,
Brian Faulkner
________________________________________________________________
From: Kyle
Country: Canada
Date: March 21, 2007

Brother Kareem,

You are a very courageous young man. Our hearts and minds are with you, we hope to hear about your release soon and we’ll keep you in mind no matter what.
________________________________________________________________
From: David Gaian
Date: March 14, 2007

Kareem,
Beloved brother….
May the Source of Life (which is One, no matter what name is used) fill your heart with the ease of knowing that you are an agent of the good, the right, the Light.

You are not alone…..
When they put you in prison to silence your voice and intimidate the masses, they sent also a part of each of us with you; we who also love freedom, truth, personal integrity and human rights. Please feel the power in your veins of all those brave human/heros that have gone before you in this deeply mysterious work of confronting/converting/transforming what is dark, lost, fearful, greedy, evil in man into what is good, fair, tolerant, wise and light.

We will not forget…
Forgive us (for now) for what these words of support and solidarity can NOT do for you. Many of us ache for how little we can do for you there where your body is kept; such filthy, cruel undeserving imprisonment. If we could, we would march on that damn prison in the 10’s of THOUSANDS and carry you out on our shoulders: freedom’s son into freedom’s sun.

We will not stop…
To know of your situation and do nothing is a self-betrayal that no loving, intelligent person can accept. We will continue to do the following:
1. Improved the force and quality our (non-violent but direct) actions to see you freed.
2. Increase the number of people who are signing petitions, writing letters and keeping every kind of appropriate pressure on Egyptian government. I am committed to see this number (today 5-6,000) of petition signatures increase exponentially. I personally will work for the goal of achieving 1,000,000 signatures in 2007.
3. _______(whatever we have not yet discovered we can do, and all the great ideas at this site)________

Please find strength in these promises. Please know how much good your sacrifice is already doing by bringing so much world-wide critical attention on the backward, cruel, inhuman, foolish, fear-driven, ignorant, fascist policies of Egyptian education and justice system and all other nations that try to deny the human right of free speech.

I dream that some generous and able Persian writer will be so kind as to translate these humble (prayer-laden) words and somehow they could find their way to cool your mind, comfort your body and feed your heart.

David Gaian
EquiLife International
________________________________________________________________
From: James E. Siddelley
Country: UK
Date: March 14, 2007

Dated 14th March 2007

This comes to you through your lawyers:

Hello Kareem,

Your stand for freedom of thought and expression is VALUED and APPRECIATED and I am very sorry that the Egyptian Government and its servants are so backward and so brutal in their treatment of you and other people who have the courage to try to think.

I also regret your lack of family support. I hope you can find it possible to forgive them the harm they have caused you.

Backwardness is a feature of religiously intolerant countries and so is a failure to grasp the need for democratic structures.

When they eventually release you – as they will – I hope you do NOT leave the country but work towards making it a freer place in future – if you possibly can manage to do that.

NEVER DOUBT that you are not alone – there are many many people, all round the world, who support YOU at this time, and in future.

Yours sincerely,

[Signature withheld –ed.]

James E Siddelley
________________________________________________________________
From: Voltaire
Date: March 10, 2007

Dear Kareem,
You are in the best tradition of the fighters for Human Rights.
It is stupid by Egyptian government and “justice” to punish you, because You and Your concern becomes more and more known and important to the whole world.
Thank you, Kareem.
________________________________________________________________
From: Tom G. Palmer
Country: USA
Date: March 2, 2007

Dear Abdelkareem,

We have not forgotten you. Your friends and supporters are working hard to help you and to alert the world to what is happening. You are not alone. When your situation is bad, please remember that you are known throughout the world and that people are thinking of you. Dalia and Esra’a and Mohammed and many, many others have worked very hard on your behalf, because they believe in justice. They will not forget you.

If I could change my position with yours, I believe that I would. I hurt when you are hurt. Not as you are, but in my soul. As long as I am alive, I will not forget you and I will not forget my obligation to help you.

Tom G. Palmer
________________________________________________________________
From: Le blogueur pourpre
Date: February 23, 2007

Kareem, on voit bien que la liberté n’est pas la chose la mieux partagée en ce bas monde. Que ceux qui l’aiment la chérissent et la défendent! Non à l’autocensure, aux censeurs extrêmes, aux religieux intégristes ou moralistes extrêmes! Je suis heureux de ne pas vivre en Egypte! Courage Kareem, garde tes convictions, ta liberté de ton, participe à la libération des forces vives et libres de ton pays! J’aime ton Egypte

Liberté:

Sur mes cahiers d’écolier
Sur mon pupitre et les arbres
Sur le sable sur la neige
J’écris ton nom

Sur toutes les pages lues
Sur toutes les pages blanches
Pierre sang papier ou cendre
J’écris ton nom

Sur les images dorées
Sur les armes des guerriers
Sur la couronne des rois
J’écris ton nom

Sur la jungle et le désert
Sur les nids sur les genêts
Sur l’écho de mon enfance
J’écris ton nom

Sur les merveilles des nuits
Sur le pain blanc des journées
Sur les saisons fiancées
J’écris ton nom

Sur tous mes chiffons d’azur
Sur l’étang soleil moisi
Sur le lac lune vivante
J’écris ton nom

Sur les champs sur l’horizon
Sur les ailes des oiseaux
Et sur le moulin des ombres
J’écris ton nom

Sur chaque bouffée d’aurore
Sur la mer sur les bateaux
Sur la montagne démente
J’écris ton nom

Sur la mousse des nuages
Sur les sueurs de l’orage
Sur la pluie épaisse et fade
J’écris ton nom

Sur les formes scintillantes
Sur les cloches des couleurs
Sur la vérité physique
J’écris ton nom

Sur les sentiers éveillés
Sur les routes déployées
Sur les places qui débordent
J’écris ton nom

Sur la lampe qui s’allume
Sur la lampe qui s’éteint
Sur mes maisons réunis
J’écris ton nom

Sur le fruit coupé en deux
Dur miroir et de ma chambre
Sur mon lit coquille vide
J’écris ton nom

Sur mon chien gourmand et tendre
Sur ses oreilles dressées
Sur sa patte maladroite
J’écris ton nom

Sur le tremplin de ma porte
Sur les objets familiers
Sur le flot du feu béni
J’écris ton nom

Sur toute chair accordée
Sur le front de mes amis
Sur chaque main qui se tend
J’écris ton nom

Sur la vitre des surprises
Sur les lèvres attentives
Bien au-dessus du silence
J’écris ton nom

Sur mes refuges détruits
Sur mes phares écroulés
Sur les murs de mon ennui
J’écris ton nom

Sur l’absence sans désir
Sur la solitude nue
Sur les marches de la mort
J’écris ton nom

Sur la santé revenue
Sur le risque disparu
Sur l’espoir sans souvenir
J’écris ton nom

Et par le pouvoir d’un mot
Je recommence ma vie
Je suis né pour te connaître
Pour te nommer

Liberté.

- Paul Éluard

________________________________________________________________
From: Debby
Date: February 22, 2007

It seems only in America are you allowed to speak freely. We will be praying for you!!
________________________________________________________________
From: Ofira
Country: Israel
Date: February 22, 2007

Kareem you are a true hero!
You have a strong personality, the whole arrest just proved the point you were talking about!
Such a shame I think… such a shame!
I hope your voice will be heard and that your truth will win!
Be strong!

Ofira - Israel
________________________________________________________________
From: Bassam Darwish
Date: February 22, 2007

http://annaqed.com/article.aspx?article=11284

تحية لبطل اسمه عبد الكريم نبيل

أصدرت محكمة طالبان في مصر حكمها بالسجن أربع سنوات على عبد الكريم نبيل سليمان.

******

أربع سنوات سيقضيها عبد الكريم نبيل سليمان في سجن طالبان المصري:
ثلاث سنوات لأنه تجرأ على إبداء رأيه بدينه الذي رفض تعاليمه؛ وسنة إضافية لإهانته الملا حسني مبارك.

خمس دقائق فقط احتاجت لها محكمة طالبان المصرية لإصدار الحكم، وكانت بالتأكيد خمس دقائقَ طويلة بالنسبة لهيئةِ محكمةٍ تتكونُ من قرود. كل ما فعله أعضاؤها هو أنهم تبادلوا الإشارات فيما بينهم وقرروا وضع هذا الإنسان في قفصٍ أفلتوا هم أنفسهم منه.

أربع سنوات، أو حتى أربع ساعات يقضيها هذا المناضل ذو الاثنين وعشرين ربيعاً سجيناً، ستكون لطخة عار على جبين العالم الحر وعلى جبين كل مفكّر في العالم العربي يدّعي إيمانه بالحرية.

صمت المفكرين العرب على هذا الحكم سيكون جريمةً لا تُغتفر بحق هذا البطل، لا بل سيكون جريمة بحق أنفسهم، لأنه السابق، وهم وأولادهم اللاحقون.

***************

نحن معك يا بطل!
ميدالية البطولة التي تعلقها اليوم على صدرك، حصلتَ عليها بجدارة.
إنها ميدالية بطولة حقيقية على العكس من كل الميداليات المزيفة التي يزين بها حكام وملوك وجنرالات العرب صدروهم، وعلى رأسهم مبارك.
لقد برهنت للعالم أنك حقا بطل.
صمدتَ لسنين، لكل ممارسات التضييق والتهديد، كما لم يصمد شابٌّ في عمرك.
عشتَ وأنت ترى الخطر كل يومٍ يحدق بك من كل جانب، فلم تَلِنْ ولم تخفْ.
صمودك يا نبيل يجب أن يكون مثالاً لكل شاب في مصر والعالم العربي.
اسمك سيكون مشعلاً يحمله وراءك شباب آخرون.
وإن لم يكن كذلك، فيا لك آنذاك من بطلٍ عظيمٍ في أمةٍ خلت من الأبطال.

******

نحن معك يا بطل، ونعدك بأننا لن نقف صامتين

*****************************

طالبان مصر يحكمون على عبد الكريم نبيل بالسجن أربع سنوات

4 Years in Prison for Blogger Nabil in Egypt Taliban

***************

________________________________________________________________
From: MD
Date: December 6, 2006

Kareem,
Don’t give up brother. We are with you. Freedom is marching irrespective of the tyranny of few. Also, be patient, you will be out.

Freedom is coming to all Egyptians, including your jailers.

Much regards and love.
________________________________________________________________
From: [Anonymous]
Date: December 22, 2006

(Source: Sara Ghorab)

I read today that your detention was extended by another forty five. Forty five days stolen from your future, sentenced forty five days after the first “sentence.”

Although it was not the first time, was it Kareem?

Some people write you’re in danger, others nod sadly, speaking of your imprisonment (or detention, anyway) as de rigueur, as something to be endured, something that will likely come to everyone at some point. Which it probably will. But I don’t want to think of that. I don’t want this to happen to you, can’t bear to hear of it happening to you.

I remember the last time we spoke, your sweet voice and gentle laugh. I remember what we discussed and smile at it now. But it is a sad smile.

I remember the last time I saw your face, the flash of your eyes, the slightly melancholy smile you sometimes smile.

I remember those days and struggle not to weep. I think of you often, not only in prayer or remembrance of our friendship, but to wonder how you’re doing in jail, what you’re doing at that very second.

I wonder how you’re being treated. You, who never hurt a fly, you who defended women, non-Muslims, and freedom. I hope they are being kind to you. It would kill me if they were not, and I would gladly take what abuse you might be subjected to. I’m serious. To be beaten or attacked is nothing when compared with the heartache I’ve gone through these past days. In fact, it would be a mercy to me. It might cleanse me of this holy rage I have for those who took you. And it might give me an excuse to get them back.

Did you see the video I had made for you? I was talking to someone and they talked to another and it ended up in a video, two minutes telling people what had happened to you. I made sure to mention that song you liked, by Soap Kills. I truly hope that this is the only time or place where the word “kill” is mentioned within shooting distance of your name.

Oh, God, I can’t deal with it. What if something happens to you? Do you even know what your friendship has meant to me? To hell with human rights and fighting for freedom and fixing up the screwiest Egypt in recent memory: I want you to be safe. This is about YOU, not about some ideal. Although I know that it’s the ideal you would want protected over your own self.

But I can’t be that big, not when one of my top three friends on earth is being threatened. I would break into that cesspool of a jail to break you out myself, but as it is, they’ve kept me out.

But I’ll be back. I have to be. I can’t sleep like this. I keep seeing your face and hearing your voice and feeling sad, hopeless, helpless.

Like there’s something I can do, but I don’t know what it is. Or worse yet, there is nothing to be done.

Will you ever read this? Will you ever know how important you are to me?

Maybe I never said it in words.

But you know. I know you know. And maybe you’ve been too busy recently to think of me, but my brother, my friend, my dear comrade in the fight that is human rights personified.. I’ve been thinking of you. Sending you positivity and comfort. And praying for you to the God I hope you one day embrace.

Love, prayers and blessings to you my dear Kareem..

—-o

(xoxo)
________________________________________________________________
From: Mohamed
Date: November 27, 2006

The prison is ugly
You draw it my child With black strips
bars and gates
You imagine that it’s a place without light
That scares the small ones
Also to indicate it
You say that it’s there
with your small finger
You show a point, a lost corner
That u don’t see
Maybe u’re teacher has told u
About ugly places
Where are locked means who kidnap kids
In your small head then came this question
How and why
I who am full of love for u
And for all the other children
Why am I there …
because I want that tomorrow
The prison wont be there, anymore…

- Saida Menebhi, November, 26th, 1976

________________________________________________________________
From: Ghada
Date: November 27, 2006

Waiting for you Kareem. I am discovering that being helpless is the most killing thing in life. To find your dearest friend suffering while you can’t do anything is really so bad. So sorry Kareem. Wish I can do something to help you.

Ghada
________________________________________________________________
From: Reformer1976
Date: November 21, 2006

قلوبنا معك يا كريم
كل إنسان مصري عنده ضمير متضامن معك
كلنا كريم عامر
منتظرين رجوعك بالسلامة

________________________________________________________________
From: Humaid
Date: November 17, 2006

I Hope things will go as you wish… people like who will make the change to free life

Regards.
________________________________________________________________
From: Kamal
Date: November 16, 2006

الله معك يا عبد الكريم
فانت رجل لا تخشى فى الحق لومة لائم
قلوبنا معك
الرب يحفظك

________________________________________________________________
From: Liliane
Country: Lebanon
Date: November 15, 2006

Best wishes for you to be freed as soon as possible and to be able to make your dreams come true for an Egypt that allows freedom of speech.

Hang in there. As you said, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

Take care from Lebanon.
________________________________________________________________
From: Nona
Date: November 6, 2006

We stand with you Kareem.
________________________________________________________________

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