Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I'm Bored..

I'm bored and I thought everyone should know it.
"What's new to that?" you'll say to yourself, "Aren't we all??"
I'm bored of driving everyday to work. I'm bored of traffic, people not paying attention to where they are going or where I am. Microbuses playing an endless death match and racing an unseen enemy.

I'm bored of TV and movies. For some reason, the world just ran out of ideas. Egyptian films however unlike their American counterparts are both poor in content as well as production.

I'm bored of attending weddings. All the ceremonies are the same, the bride and groom dance, their friends join in. Elder people are, sitting by, nodding with their heads and I don't know if it's of admiration or discontent. Then if you are patient enough you just might be able to grab a bite to eat in the midst of the jam of it all.

I'm bored of meeting my ex-girlfriends by coincidence and I'm bored of my wife getting mad at me for it. No one can own your past. They either own your present or your future. Needless to say your wife owns both.

I'm bored of Christmas. Each year Christmas comes at the same time. They play the same carols and I buy the same things. I'm bored of people telling me that Christmas is not solely for shopping it is a time to cherish with family, to reflect , to love,…
Every year the same Christmas and every year the same words. Has anyone ever thought that may be Christmas is for shopping, partying and having a good time and that's it? Just like Ramadan when everyone insists that it is for praying, supporting the poor and getting closer to God. However, it ends up in a frenzy of TV series and shisha outings…
Do we have to connect our festivities to something bigger than us? And use that as an excuse to take a vacation and have a good time?
Can't we just have the National day for "Eat as much as you can" or the "Sinai vacation Weekend or something?" And embrace our human nature.

Samih
Sitting on the Pavement…. Bored

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Cairo: The Last Days (Part 2)

Well, if they think they can easily shove me out and forget about it definitely they should think again.

I have been with the National Front since the very start. True the Front existed since the 1940's, but I'm referring to their late resurrection during the late 1980's and 1990's. My name is Amin Tolba and I'm one of the so called "New Generation Steers." or as sometimes referred to as the Guidance Office New Guard.
While other groups chose the way of direct violence to create turmoil and attempt to get to power, I was absolutely against it.
"My brothers, shooting a president or tourists or putting a few bombs in Tahrir Square is not the way that will get us to rule this country. Hear out my plan." And They did…
By the early 2000's, the Front had infiltrated and had some or total degree of control on almost everything in Egypt: University student Bodies, Professional Syndicates (engineers, doctors, lawyers,…), Government Ministries, National TV/Radio, Judges Union,… You name it. We were every where. Ultimately, this lead us to power in 2011.

I walked out of my little sorry room in Arish. I saw a glimpse of my own reflection on the door stained glass window and I wondered. The young man who used to walk in demonstrations in his neat dark green coveralls and black mask is now long gone. All what remains is an old fat and bald sort of a soldier, stumbling in his pale green army suit, drenched in sweat.
I gave my life to the Front. Once they got in power, I was completely forgotten. Instead of giving me a ministry or a public company or something where I can get to spend the rest of my days in ease and peace, The Head Steer called me: "Brother Amin, we have bestowed on you our great confidence. We appoint you the Head of Security in Northern Sinai."
I can nearly see him this Son of B… sitting at the old Royal Palace and laughing with the other bastard Ahmed Ammar, my so called friend and comrade and the new Minister of Petrol and Energy. He has his own airplane I was told. All I have is an Army Jeep and the Sinai Bedouins shooting at me and my men almost every night.

The Front rise to power was too easy, almost inevitable. All the lethal elements were there: An aging dictatorship, a very poor country (the UN officials calling it the Mediterranean Bangladesh) and people drowning in ignorance, sickness and despair.
"The Front is the Solution and We Will Change the Constitution." Our slogan was like a drug to the masses. Most of them did not even know what constitution meant.
Everyone wanted to change the status quo and We seemed like a viable choice at a time, especially for the unknowing majority. A religious group who got out of his way and got into politics; speaking in the name of God and promising a better life in this world and heaven thereafter. Nothing could beat this deal…
What the common man did not know is that religion and politics do not mix. Or to say the least they do not mix well. Just like heaven and earth, could these two mix?
Politics has nothing -and never had anything- to do with religion. The only religion politics know is the religion of power and the faith of using all the means possible to obtain it and preserve it.

It was may be 7pm on this early October night when I took off with my Jeep. I was only accompanied by my young right hand guy Mahmoud. I've been arranging and anticipating this meeting for may be 8 or 9 months now. We drove for like 2 hours towards the heart of Sinai and into its high mountains. The unpaved road twisted endlessly up and down till we finally reached the specific GPS point. Our rendezvous were already there.
"My name doesn't really matter, I am here representing the Kingdom and some of its friends. The Front regime has gotten absolutely out of hand and I believe that it is up to us now to put things right." Said the man with the dark blue jeans and khaki sweater. He was in his early 40's and obviously the boss of the party meeting us.
Before, I could reply by anything, he opened a suitcase stacked with Dollar Bills. "This will help you to insure the allegiance of the Bedouins and most of your men." He added smiling.
"We shall arrange for the triggering event in Cairo. Also, I'm coordinating with Nabil Fawzy Militias from Upper Egypt." I responded "Everything will go as planned!"
We shook hands and he walked towards his car. Then he looked back "Also, a continuous supply of ammo and weapons will be secured through our contacts in Elate." He drove away.

"This is the time. This is the place. We have to make a stand. We have to give in to the will of God. It is His will that we should put an end to the Tyranny that is eating our country. Our lives are worth nothing. We give it happily to restore the rule of Allah…"
The entire camp roared with enthusiasm.
I put on my ultimate serious face and the thought lingered in my mind: Does anyone sincerely believe this nonsense?
How could they believe that any God -if one really existed- would let or allow thousands may be even millions to die in his name??

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Cairo: The Last Days (Part 1)

Part 1:

June 17, 2015:
I got stopped again today at a security check point. The soldier who stopped me was merely a boy in his 17, 18 at the most. His beard hair was no more than pale patches here and there on his face. But, The old desert green uniform and his Afghani soft wool hat gave him a menacing look.
"ID,.." he said averting looking at me directly. He checked the ID and looked at me quickly. "Hide you hair woman!" he said harshly while handing me back the document. Hastily, my hand ran to push the fallen hair lock under the veil and I walked away as fast as I could.
Since, the last couple of explosions down town, security measures have been very tight. Even here in Heliopolis (Haii El Safa, they now call it) there is practically a check point on the corner of every major street.
Tarek came back very late from work. His pipes manufacturing business has been doing very good lately. However, his problems also increased dramatically. He always shared some work details with me.
"I'm practically paying everyone I deal with", he said, disgusted, during supper. "The labors' office, the social insurance, taxes, local authorities,.." are all on my private payroll. "I'm doing all the work and everyone else is getting the profit…"
Tomorrow, I'll go to visit mom. She moved very far at the very end of Nasr City. Now, with the new, unwritten, law preventing women from driving. I'm only left to the wretched Microbus to take me there.

July 10, 2015:
I am so bored.
Tarek spends most of his day at work and I'm left trapped here at the house. It is true I never really worked since I got married 15 years ago but in the old days there was so much to do. Even on an absolutely empty day, I could still read the papers, watch TV or even sometimes surf the net. Now, I'm a little bit living in a closed sphere. Since the National Front came to power 4 years ago, they have been bit by bit restricting our exposure to the outside world. It all started with the very strict law against satellite dishes and cable networks.
"They only undermine our faith, promote imperialism and show sex and nudity films and series," The Guidance Office announced. An ultimatum of 2 days was given to get rid of all dishes. These who did not respond got a 20,000 LE fine and 20 lashes.
So, I'm left stuck with 2 TV channels that only talk about the after life and a paper that has the unique job of promoting the Guidance Office ruling members and mentioning every day some fake facts about how Egypt is the greatest country on earth…

July 28, 2015:
I got a letter from Adham today. It was dated June 15, 2015. Well, it did not take that long. I heard from some friends that it takes at least a month for a letter to get through the huge pile up at the Central censorship office. It was his words but the hand writing was of a grown up person…
It has been now almost a one and half years since we sent Adham to his Aunt.
"Schools here are crap. Besides, he will get a chance to see the world. Do you remember the World honey?"
Adham is only 12. At 12, a kid should be with his mom. I put the letter in my closet drawer and cried.

Three years ago, I was so mad when I noticed the surge of people and businesses, local and foreign, leaving Egypt.
"Nothing has changed." I used to say to my friends. "They can never be more corrupt than their predecessors!" "At least, this government was chosen by the people. They are men of faith as well as politicians." I used to repeat this over and over.
Tarek, on the other hand, had more insight.
Once the old government was overthrown, my step sister who she and her family happened to have Italian Passports, left the country almost immediately.
"We have too much at stack here and as you said nothing Really has changed." Said Tarek to me.
However, I noticed that little by little he is shrinking his business and reducing his "heavy" belongings. He sold his office and worked from the factory. He sold his parents house and an empty lot of land he owned. He even tried to sell our little house in Marina. I was so against it and even cried hard to dissuade him. I wish I hadn't. Now, Marina is a ghost city and the house is worth nothing...

Thursday, November 8, 2007

An Ending without Closure

Tarek woke up with an unusual uneasy feeling deep inside. He has been going out with Touta for 6 months now. And it all seemed like a dream. He loved her from afar for years. Now that they are together he couldn't help but to love her even more. For the past few weeks however, the ride got a little bit tough. Nothing out of the unusual. After, the initial "I love you just the way you are" phase, it is normal for the gears to grind against each other. He was just hoping that this period will be shorter that longer.
After, a more than mild argument, there was no contact for a couple of days. Then Just yesterday, Tarek has called touta. But he could not get through to her. She was not at home and did not call back.
"I'll call her again today" he said to himself.
"She's in the bathroom, she'll call you once she gets out" came the dry answer from the maid.
She never called.
Now, 10 years, a wife and a kid later; Tarek still feels a squeeze in his heart when he remembers this story.

We all passed through this situation in one format or the other. It might be at work, with friends or even within our family. However, I believe that a love ending so abruptly and inconclusively is perhaps the most painful. (That is unless you have a beloved one in the army and is Lost in Action somewhere.)
Each story has to have a solid end. We were brought up this way. A sports match has a result, an essay has a conclusion, even some of Youssef Shahin movies have a well defined end and a love affair must have a closure.
Just imagine this, you go out with the boy/girl of your dreams on a first date. Everything goes perfectly well and then you never hear from him/her again. This open finish is unacceptable for most. The obvious reason is "why?", "what went wrong?", "Don't I deserve an explanation?" a couple of words on the phone, sms or even an email or a message on Facebook??
Relationships come to an end all the time but they don't just vanish into thin air for no reason.

Well, Actually they do and the more serious and long term the relationship is the most prone to sudden and inexplicable failure it is.
The most prominent reason of the Break-up in a serious relationship is nothing!! In the famous book "Drifting Marriage", it is concluded that around 70% of marriages (and this can be expanded to all long term commitments) end for no specific or major cause. By time, under the pressures of life and by accumulation of minor squabbles people just drift apart. From lovers, to roommates to strangers. One of them then just walks a way.
As put very simply by 12 years old Dina: "One day my dad left home."

I think that there is nothing more painful than a story -whatever this story might be- without closure. At this instance, one is left empty and lost. He has so many words left unspoken. His mind and emotions are trapped within the merciless walls of "what if's" endless possibilities and his heart is stalled lingering on a deserted trail.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

At the Movies: El Shayateen..

Since I was a little kid, I was a big fan of the El Shayateen El 13 (The 13 devils) novels.
It was a series of books intended for youngsters in which a group of young Arab adventurers fight evil under the leadership of a mystery man called Mr. Zero.
Each one of them belonged to a different Arab country and used a code number besides his name. No. 1 was Ahmed from Egypt.

The movie full name is called El Shayateem, the Comeback.
Hence it is about the return of a reluctant Ahmed for a new adventure; after what appears as a failed mission that took place 20 years ago.
This time the fight is against a vicious Antiquities smuggling gang. The movie contains a couple of nice twists and is entertaining as a whole. Especially bearing in mind that the this is the first full feature for a young director/scenario writer.

The movie starts with the wrong assumption that everybody has a back ground of the original stories. This left 90% of the audience quite clueless for perhaps the first 15 minutes. Then another slow half hour was lost watching Ahmed attempting to gather up his team as well as bits and pieces of the conspiracy at hand.
The movie picks up some pace after that when the action begins. Although, in my opinion, a specialist in action sequences was badly needed. Too much hand held camera and fast camera motion do not necessarily mean suspense and action!! The film music was basically a series of 1970's motives, a little bit more effort and tunes were also needed there.
All the girls in the movie seem to like Ahmed but nothing materializes; as he is too preoccupied in his current mission as well as full of remorse over the last adventure that went bad a long time ago.

So after 2 hours, all the bad guys are neutralized except for their leader who escapes in anticipation of a sequel.
Do not hold your breath though, I do not think this sequel will see the light any time soon.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Facebook is for Dorks!

Dork (dawrk) : An offensive term that deliberately insults somebody's intelligence, physical appearance or social skills (slang insult)

According to an article in Fortune magazine, "anyone who is over 25 years old and has an account on Facebook is a dork"
When I first read this I was a little bit offended. I am way over 25. I have a Facebook account. And for all that it is worth, I do not see myself as a Dork!!
Then I decided to read the article a little bit further. "Let's see what this guy has to say anyway"!
I summarized the article content in a few points -Dialogue like- here below
- Joining a social network is cool.
- Ok, and then??

- It allows you to catch up with old friends
- If they were really your friends you would have their contacts. If you do not have their contacts may be they were not your friends to start with.

- So who should I add to be my friends on Facebook? I'm already in close contact with my friends and My colleagues at work. So, should I add my distant friends, acquaintances and business contacts perhaps? And let them see my status and personal photos?
- ….
After using Facebook for sometime now, I somehow agree with the article. In my opinion, the social site is more of a hype without any real added value. May be for a younger generation, it would be a nice flirting tool but that is it.
Just ask yourself, when you first started out on Face how often you used to check it? How often do you use it now?
I used to get posts, invitations, mails,… all the time. Now, the frequency is far less. Basically, it is a very few bunch that is constantly adding applications or joining groups and sending them to their entire list without any real "personal" content.

And this is all I have to say about that :))

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

M&H

Sometimes, we get struck by the most unusual facts in the most unexpected times. I always thought I knew what I wanted. May be not in so many details but a rough sketch has been always there in my mind.
Till I met you.

An absolute revelation struck me. It had nothing to do with your beauty, style or finesse although you have loads of all of these. However, I have passed my years and I have learned my lessons to overcome these minor attractions.
I said to myself: She is just a pretty face. Then you turned around and you spoke to me. I cannot remember the last time I had a conversation with such an intelligent person.
Intelligent women drive me crazy.

You talked about yourself and you talked about your family. For no reason, but within the constraints of our limited minded society, you decided to share with me some of your life. I learned about your work, your studies and your family. As much as I was attracted to your intelligence, I could not help but to admire your persistence and responsibility. You take charge, when the call comes for, and you make it happen.
A man definitely needs his partner to fight at his side.
The days of romantic women waiting for their lovers at the window; or even the days when every great man needed a woman to only give moral support are long gone my friend.

In a world that is so demanding I dreamed about you. In my dream I felt protected and safe by your mere presence and an overwhelming glow of serenity engulfed us.

I do not know who I am and I still do not know what I want.
One thing I am sure of though: I wish I had you.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

On Hot Tin!

A questions that is asked over and over: "What happened to the Egpyptians?"

I will not go over a degrading Education and a collapsing Health System. I will skip pauverty and very poor living standards. All of these has been gone over so many times in so many places.

But may be due to these factors -and others not stated here- something is building up in our society: Agressive Intereference in Other People's lifes.

A very strange incident in the papers dragged my attention to this matter.



"An army soldier was performing his service on a watch tower. From his place on that tower, he saw a man and a woman making love. They were in a shop nearby. The soldier pulled his fire arm and shot both of them, killing the woman and injuring the man." This is how the story was published in Ahram.



When I read that, I could not believe myself. The soldier made himself a judge, jury and excutioner of innocent people. He shot them without even asking. May be they were man and wife and if they did not how could they be condemend to death in such a fashion. even more problematic, by whom: An army soldier with a duty to protect them in the first place!

This is an outstanding example of something we suffer from every day. Everyone is watching, judging in everyone else's life.

"How come you are unveiled?"

"Men with big beards just give me the creeps"

"I heard he drinks"

And so many more examples.

Frustration is building up and it feels like the whole society is boiling to an explosion.


This is very true and it is apparent in our every day to day ordinary situations.

Snatch a Ladie's purse in dowtown Cairo, chances are may be one or two would chase you. However, kiss a girl at the same place, you'll probably get nicked and beaten by at least half a dozen!!


This interference started out perhaps 30 years ago in the 1970's as a trend of social judging. When Egypt was opening and embracing Gulf State ideas and ways of living. At the mean time, these rich petroleum states were attempting to force their culture over the world just by virtue of having more and more money to spend.

Egyptians came back from the Gulf Countries with a new Bedouin identity. We hate the West, underestimate the power of science and reserach and lough at the word "Civil Society."
The entire world is now watching us with sorrow.
The Gulf states blossoming with Petrol and Trade money ran full speed on the path of Business and Modenization.
Egypt is left trapped with Libya, Sudan, the So-called Palestine and burnning Lebanon. What an ill fate...

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Drifted/Let it Snow

(1) Sherif, in his bed, 10PM.

It all started with a mediocre fantasy.
I got home, showered and slipped right into bed with Samaa. It had been almost a week since we were together. Admittedly after 4 years of marriage, our encounters are a little less but passion still remains.
In the heat of the moment, she suddenly came into my mind. A vivid image of Sara just materialised out of no where. She was wearing her black one shouldered blouse, and her brown eyes radiated. How come I never noticed before her incredible dark lean figure?
I shook my head to get her out of my mind. It did not work.

(2) Sara, Heliopolis Club, 3PM.

They say that life is full of choices. This is not true; at least for me. I did not choose my parents. I got bad grades in high school, so I did not choose my university and I met Tarek through the family. When I get pregnant I will not be able to choose whether it is a boy, a girl… You just do not choose anything that matters in your life.
Tarek, my husband, and Sherif are best friends. Although they share a lot of traits among them, they were also very different. While Tarek is always loud, always late and just loves to go out all the time and mingle; Sherif was more discreet, calm and reserved. In my opinion: more refined.
On any given day, I would have chosen Sherif.

3) Marwan, Grand Café, 8:30PM.

I saw them. I swear to God I saw them…
When we arrived at Grand Café, I said hi to Sara
- Where is Tarek? I asked
- He’s running a little bit late at work. He’ll be coming soon.
Right next to her sat Sherif and I saw it: For more than a couple of minutes their legs were leaning against each other. Only from where I was sitting this could be seen. At first, I could not grasp what’s happening and then I started to notice more. All so casually they touched a few times that evening. She would laugh and hold his elbow. He would be teased and punch tenderly her shoulder. No one seemed to notice, is it just me..?
Tarek and Sherif had it all: Money, wits and their own businesses. They do not wake up to their mobile phone alarm. They eat breakfast and have their own parking space. I run in panic every day at 7am and pray to find a squeeze for my old Calista 2 Km from work. As if all of this was not enough now they are hitting on each others wives; a typical businessmen drama if you ask me.

4) Sherif, his office, 1 PM:

I read in an article once that there are 3 major forces that control one’s actions: emotions (Love, hate, anger…), time and boredom. If you control your emotions and stand absolutely powerless to the passage of time one factor will remain: Boredom.
I opened my mail, 20 messages, all work.
For the last couple of months, once or twice a week I would receive an SMS or a call from her. What is happening? Or where are we from the thin red line? Sincerely, I did not know. I am completely intoxicated by her.
Just last week, we met at a wedding. While I was kissing her hi, I just twisted my neck slightly that I half kissed her lips. Perhaps one of the most stupid things I have done in my entire life. She smiled and walked away. She did not talk to me the entire evening and then, while I was standing on the edge of the dance floor, she came from behind me “Don’t stair at the girls, I’m watching you.”

5) Sara, her parents’ house, 11AM

Scented salt bath and then 15 minutes of Jacuzzi makes you totally rejuvenated. I rubbed my entire body with Victoria’s Secret lotion.
To do anything, all you need is the right timing and the right set of circumstances as I once heard in a movie. So, what should I wear?
- Hi Sherif, I’m at my parents’ house and there is a very strong smell of gas. I don’t know what to do.
- Close the valve and open the windows. Also, don’t touch the lights, I’ll be right there.
I wore a white tank top, white shorts and flip-flops. I looked at the mirror “girl you look fine!” A flash of fear squeezed my heart.

6) Marwan, in his car (Calista), Noon

My father was right about one thing “A career in accounting kills your soul” Today, I just had enough. “My sister is really ill and I have to go to attend to her” I told my alien-faced boss.
I was just getting to Le Café, “What is Sherif’s car doing here at mid-day?” I thought for a few seconds. This is Sara parents’ house, it hit me. Her pre-wedding party was there, I remember well. I’ll be damned. This is huge… Well, I’ll be damned if I care!!!
Out of no where, a strange Christmas carol came to me “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The Fish that Rotted from its Tail

The Story:
The Egyptian Book Authority decides to re-issue a cultural magazine (Ibda3). The editor in chief of this publication is the renowned Egyptian Poet Ahmed Abdel Motie Hegazy. While the magazine is in print a worker realised -somehow- that the issue contains a poem that undermines God!! So, the print workers -acting out of pure faith- decide to stop printing the magazine. Furthermore they decide to take an extra step and attempted to BURN the, in stock, printed issues!!
The story does not end here. When this matter came to the papers, everyone wondered how could this be done by Print Workers who, obviously, are not qualified to assess literary works. The president of the authority decided to back-up the workers and stopped the publication. Here the News Story ends and begins the never ending story.

More and more prejudices and judgements are seeping into our quotidian lives. Everyone pretending to protect tradition or, more importantly, religion is judging -and sometime acting against- what is contrary to his own personal believes. What made it even worse and on the Verge of catastrophe is the people behind the judgments. Who are the people currently shaping our lives and believes?

- Simple workers with minimal or no education are all over tourism. They are judging and influencing everything from Tourists dress codes to beach drinking habits.
- Small employees and or clerks in National TV (yes it still exists!) are ultimately the ones deciding on the content of the Series/Programs produced. Also, they interfere to censorship old Egyptian movies produced back in the 1950's and 1960's.
- Cairo urban planning and traffic control plans are devised by junior police officers and municipality administrators.
The list goes on and on from education content, government schools, health, agriculture,... and ends up by the Print Workers who are now acting as my intellectual guardians.

Since the military rule began in Egypt (it is still ongoing by the way) and subsequent governments went through a very persistent effort to minimise the cultured/intellectual/ specialists roles in our society.
The regime always preferred "the people of trust over the people of knowledge."
After more than 40 years, this where we are: A country where the government only protects itself, a silent knowing minority with absolutely no input to the masses and a majority boiling with rage waiting to snap at anything.
Even if this thing is just a poem.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

My Representative is from the Brotherhood

Mr. Representative,
To start with I would like to congratulate you on 5 years in the House. Also, I would like to tell you that I did not vote for you. I hope you don’t get upset as I am using the same freedom right that got you there in the first place. Albeit now you are there as the peoples representative, we would like to know your program and your opinion regarding some crucial issues for the well being of the very people whom you represent.

Economic Issues: What is the Brotherhood program regarding the following issues:
1) Unified tax/Corporate tax, will these be changed or left intact?
2) Double Taxation agreements with other Arab and African countries.
3) Custom duties and the program intended to keep customs in conformity with GAT and at the mean time minimize impact on local industries
4) Fiscal policy and the Brotherhood vision of interest rates on the Egyptian Pound (well if the Brotherhood is against Bank interest do you intend to ban it altogether?)
5) Do you intend to encourage tourism (one of the major resources of Egypt) and do you have a solid plan to increase DFI (Direct Foreign Investment)?

Political Issues:
1) Will the Brotherhood preserve this same democracy that got some of its people to power?
2) Does the Brotherhood believe in basic Human Rights like freedom of thought, expression, speech and belief? (ed. Please think before answering as throughout its entire history the M. Brotherhood had a firm stand against Human Rights)
3) Would you allow non-Muslims to become governors, ministers or even school principles or will you follow the principle stating that non Muslims cannot rule over Muslims.
Health and Education:
What is the Brotherhood stand regarding the following issues:
1) Liberal education and scientific research.
2) The mixing between boys and girls in schools and universities.
3) Organs donation and transplant.
4) Men gynecologists.

Women’s Rights:
The Brotherhood stand regarding women’s rights has been always ambiguous. We need the following clarified:
1) Would women be allowed to vote, equal opportunity employment and the right to drive their cars?
2) Would you allow women governors, ministers and judges?

Arts:
Egypt has been well known for its cultural contribution to the entire Arabic World, would the Brotherhood allow:
1) Creative Novelists whom their writings might prove enlightening?
2) The Cinema Industry, theatres and musical concerts?
3) Painting and sculptures of human or animal figures?

Sports:
1) Would men be allowed to wear shorts or only short pants while playing any sport?
2) Would women be allowed to play Gymnastics and/or swimming?

This is the 21st century; enough playing on religious tunes to lead us back to the swamps of ancient dark ages.
We are not afraid.

Officer Down

Two days ago, a woman 27 years of age getting back home somehow late at night was abducted. The offenders were the public transport driver (the Microbus driver) (17 years old) and one of his friends (21 years old.) The woman screamed for help, a police car responded and gave pursuit. After some American style chase, the police car succeeded in stopping the Microbus. While the police officer was trying to arrest the suspects, one of them managed to take the officers’ gun, shot him as well as a police soldier. The officer died and the soldier escaped with only a wound.
As unusual as this story is (at least for Egypt), its details raised so many questions in my head to what have Law and Order in our country have become. Consider the following:
1) The public transport driver is only 17 years old. Although to obtain a driving license in Egypt one has to be at least 18. How could someone take driving as a profession without a driving license?
2) In his account of the story the police soldier said “I’m not a police man. I’m just drafted for service for 1 year. When the officer told me to chase the criminals, I was really afraid. Also, when the officer told me to arrest the suspects, I did not have any hand cuffs. I tried to use my wool scarf. The offenders escaped me, attacked the officer, got his gun and shot us both.”
3) The officer is 25 years of age while the offender is only 17 and without any prior criminal record. How a young driver could take a trained officer gun and shoot him? Do we have any procedures to arrest offenders?
One conclusion could be made: Our respect for the Law and our Law Enforcement forces are just as poor as anything in this country. We are more or less brought up in an environment where the law is merely a word read in books and papers; without any existence in the real world. As for the police forces, they only bully the helpless. They do not have equipment, staff or training. The elite forces are solely dedicated to protection of the existing regime. But we, the people, we are only protected by untrained soldiers and officers equipped with woollen scarves.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

In Cairo Traffic

Being stuck in the Big City traffic is not a pleasant experience by all means. However, if your experience with Cairo and Egyptian traffic stays limited to being stuck then you should consider yourself very lucky.
Consider the following:
- More than 7000 people die every year on Egyptian Roads. This is more than the number of American soldiers who died from the start of the Iraqi war 3 years ago.
- During the last month (February, 2007) it is estimated that more than 50 people were stabbed by Taxi and Micro bus drivers for numerous reasons. More than 10 died.
- Last week, a young guy of 16 (who does not hold a driving license) lost control over his car and crashed killing 5 people waiting on a bus stop.
- Yesterday, a truck carrying 1000 liquid gas cylinders flipped and burst in flame killing the driver and injuring a passenger and a pedestrian. Also, more than 20 cattle died in the incident.

So each time you leave your home, work or whatever and you decide to take the inculcated risk of driving in Cairo, just remember: Being stuck in traffic is probably the best thing that could happen to you...

Monday, March 5, 2007

Daddy Forgets

It was just an ordinary day. I came back from work and you came running to me and hugged me. All what I did in response was a shrug.
Later on this afternoon, you got me my slippers and paper. Instead of thanking you I frowned, thinking and thinking about my work.
All throughout the evening I was complaining and yelling about the noise you are making, your toys scattered everywhere and that you are not paying enough attention to “your dad’s instructions.”
When I –“finally”- put you to bed you told me Good Night and smiled. I replied with a quick kiss on your cheek.

But I have to admit, Daddy forgets.
He forgets that you are only three and a half years old. He forgets that you are not yet burdened by work, taxes and life.
Daddy forgets that when you run to him and hug his knees there are no hidden intentions behind it.
You are not careless, disobedient or impolite. You are just a child.
Daddy forgot how it is to be a child.

Today is just an ordinary day. I took you to your nursery in the morning. As usual while you were going up the stairs you looked back, smiled and waved.
I waved back briefly and turned my back.
You did not see the one tear that escaped my eye.

8 Years Later

It is amazing how people change over time.
It was by pure coincidence that we got to be seated together at the same table that day.
When I shook her hand, it felt nothing like the hand I used to hold for so long.
- Hi, how are you?
She said it without looking at me or wanting to know my answer.
It had been almost a decade since we were together yet amazingly enough she looked just like she did on her freshman year, a complete stranger.
“Just looking at you makes me overwhelmed with happiness” This is what I always used to tell her. Our long talks, our long walks back and forth from down town to our campus, it all seems so oddly distant now.
I wonder what her husband does for a living.

- Sherif, stop teasing your sister; she suddenly came out loudly.
Unintentionally, everyone turned to her. She smiled timidly. Her smile was more or less the same but there was definitely something different in her voice.

One day, driven by teen foolishness as much as love we got into this building after classes has ended. We stood there kissing on the stairs. All of a sudden a security guard appeared from nowhere. We were completely taken by surprise and so was he. He looked rudely at us “what are you doing here? There are no classes now in this building, go!”
We just ran away smiling. We were saved (from probation or may be worse.)

- After the birthday, I’m meeting my friends for a girly outing.
That was my wife. I just mumbled back in affirmation. We were in a birthday of a one year old girl. The daughter of a couple I hardly knew.
Why do they make birthdays for such young babies? Obviously, the birthday girl doesn’t know it and more certainly most of us sitting here don’t care.
We were together for 5 Valentines (Well, actually 4 because during one Valentine we quarreled and did not go out.) However, I think people really in love do not need Valentine. We did not need any occasion to bring each other gifts. We did not need Valentine to go out, dine and dance. We went on Flouka rides and we had an agreement to say “I love you” at least once every week.
We did not even need to talk, that day in the farm, when I put my head on that magic spot just underneath her shoulder and stayed like that for hours.
We also knew that we will not end up together. Lovers from different religions in this part of the world normally don’t.
This did not make much of a difference. We had this implicit agreement that we shall remain together and savor our love as long as we could. “Our love and commitment are much more than a piece of paper”, she used to say.

- Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday…
I wonder where Karim is. He must be playing here or there. I looked around carefully till I spotted him beneath a table not far away from where I am.
As time passed, pressure from friends and family grew to put an end to our relationship. “So, what’s next?” everyone used to say. “You have to breakup and give each other a chance to move on.” On October 16th, we did.

- Sherif, we have to leave. The kids are driving me crazy.
She picked up everything in less than a minute. One kid in each hand waved goodbye and walked away.
My eyes followed her to the door. Then she turned and looked straight at me. I knew she was thinking to herself “It is amazing how people change over time.”