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.

While society remains deeply polarized, the mood in Cairo is tense, even tetchy, as Egyptians prepare to mark the anniversary of Morsi's ouster. In recent days, public anger has been fueled by steep rises in the prices of fuel and cooking gas, the third such hikes since the flotation of the Egyptian pound in November 2016. The latest price increases (of up to 50% for gasoline and more than 60% for gas canisters) are part of austerity measures that the government hopes will reduce public debt and resuscitate the ailing economy. The reform measures — a requirement for Egypt to obtain a $12 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund — are piling pressure on poor Egyptians who struggle to cope with high unemployment and double-digit inflation.

Seemingly worried about a fresh wave of protests like that provoked by the recent rise in metro fares, the government announced the latest price increases as Egyptians were celebrating Eid Al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The news cast a pall over the Eid celebrations, dampening the holiday mood and sparking an outcry on social media.