Despite being an ocean away from the celebrations sweeping their homeland, Egyptian-Canadians erupted in euphoria Friday as 18 days of historic grassroots protests ended with the ouster of embattled President Hosni Mubarak.
News of Mubarak's long-awaited departure turned more than two weeks of tense demonstrations at the heart of Cairo into a convulsion of joy that quickly reverberated around the world.
"It's relief, happiness, a sense of pride," said Toronto resident Sarah Hashem, who was born in Egypt and moved to Canada when she was 10.
"We know there's lots of work to be done in the future and there's many steps we have to take as a nation...but we also owe it to ourselves to take a moment to celebrate."
With Mubarak having steadfastly refused to resign for so long, Hashem, 28, said she found the news hard to believe at first.
"I needed someone to pinch me," she said. "I was in disbelief." When the truth sank in, she jumped up from her desk at work and shouted in celebration.
"People have been coming to congratulate me, she said. "Anyone that finds out that I'm Egyptian, even strangers on the street have been cheering us on."
The past 18 days have been an emotional roller coaster for Hashem, who still has family in Egypt. Her Arabic has improved considerably of late, she admitted -- a consquence of watching round-the-clock TV news coverage from the region.
Miles away, the chaos in the streets of Alexandria meant her own cousin was part of a neighbourhood watch team working to protect the family home.
"It does touch us all in some way, shape or form," Hashem said. "It did affect everybody, whether in Egypt or outside."
Now that Mubarak's reign has come to a close, Hashem said she had a lot of faith in the ability of the Egyptian people to rebuild their country.
"What comforts me is that Egyptians that were fearful before have broken that fear and have learned to express themselves," she said.
"We've worked so hard to get so far... we have an obligation to continue working very hard and make sure these dreams are realized."
A celebration was scheduled to take place Saturday afternoon in downtown Toronto, but a spontaneous gathering of Canadians too restless to wait a day was also expected to take place Friday night at a public square downtown.
Salma Aljannati said she plans to grab her giant Egyptian flag and be part of the moment.
"I'm extremely happy," said Aljannati, 24, an Egyptian-Canadian who lives in Mississauga, Ont., and whose entire family still lives in her homeland. She said she was heartened during the turmoil by the support of her fellow Canadians.
"From Canada, people have been very supportive -- I couldn't be more grateful to be in this country," Aljannati said. "It was absolutely amazing how many people were there for the demonstrations that have taken place."
Egyptians have a great deal of respect for the military, who have taken over the governance of the country until September's elections, she added.
"People are now going to have hope. When the majority rules, this is what can happen."
In Montreal, Tarek Abouzeid was part of a group outside the Egyptian consulate celebrating the success of a people's movement.
"I'm feeling free," said Abouzeid, 28. "The sun has finally risen on a great revolution and a great industry that will start in Egypt, and we will become a great people again like we used to be."
Abouzeid's sister Ingi said she got the news just as she emerged from prayers asking for peace in her homeland.
"I feel relaxed, happy and proud to be Egyptian," she said.
Even Canadians originally from other Arab countries were cheering Friday's news, calling it a sign of change sweeping the Middle East.
Walied Khogali, who is originally from Sudan but now makes his home in Toronto, said tears of joy were streaming down his face as he heard the news at work.
"It inspires me for change in the region and especially in my homeland," said Khogali, 27.
"The Tunisians inspired the Egyptians, hopefully the Egyptians will inspire the Sudanese ... to demand the same level of dignity and respect."
