The fifth anniversary of the June 30 Revolution, as the day is referred to by Egypt's pro-government mainstream media, is drawing near. In Egypt's polarized society, the anniversary is perceived differently depending on whose side you’re on.
In recent years, June 30 has been recalled with bitterness by the Islamists, tens of thousands of whom languish behind bars today. It has also been celebrated with much fanfare among supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. To opposition activists and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, the now-banned Islamist group of former President Mohammed Morsi, the day marking the start of mass protests that led to the removal of Egypt's first democratically elected president in July 2013 commemorates a military coup that derailed the democratic transition process in Egypt.
