Friends and colleagues of imprisoned political activist Ahmed Maher created a Facebook event and a hash-tag to celebrate Maher’s 35th birthday on 2 December.
Maher, a founding member of 6 April youth movement, is currently spending a three-year jail sentence for illegal protesting.
“I hope all his friends and everyone who loves him sends him and say happy birthday, through a telegraph, a post or a photo… any method you choose to comfort him,” the organisers wrote on the event’s Facebook page.
Using the hash-tag #HappyBirthdayMaher along with an Arabic hash-tag, Facebook and Twitter users sent messages of support and celebration to the imprisoned activist.
“This is Ahmed Maher’s 35th birthday and his second birthday in jail. He was imprisoned on the same day as his birthday, every birthday that passes marks another year in jail,” the organisers wrote.
This December marks two years since Maher was sentenced, along with Mohamed Adel, a member of the 6 April political bureau, and prominent activist Ahmed Douma, to three years in prison and a fine of EGP 50,000. They were convicted of protesting without approval, rioting, using violence against Abdeen Courthouse security personnel and weapons’ possession.
