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.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
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.
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...
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.
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.”
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.”
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