Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Egypt: Taking our country for granted?


After nearly two months living in London, I am realizing, how we do take Egypt for granted and should work on improving it.


 Instead of leaving Egypt and living the life abroad I think we should all think about ways to improve it and make it better.

As much as I am enjoying the many advantages of living in Europe, I realize more and more that people like me should always come back to their homeland and bring back something with them.

I also got so inspired by a friend of mine from the program Diala, a Palestinian from Ramallah who has  much passion for her country and is very much fighting for her land and for her cause.

Take a look at her post it is amazing.

She do knows the value of having a country, a culture, a history and a land and she is truly working serving her cause, as a Palestinian but also as a Journalist.


A Better Life Abroad?
A recent article by the BBC was talking about how many Egyptians dream to leave Egypt and go work in another country for a better life.

They are not to be blamed, the economy is not helping, people are under-appreciated  in their field, society and culture make it very hard for anyone to fulfill their dreams and the government is to be blamed for that.


As an Egyptian you are not being treated as a citizen who has his full rights, you are not the priority, money is.


  • Your lost bags will always be found in less than 24hours if you are not Egyptian.
  • You can swim in El Gezira club and visit on a Friday if you're a foreigner but if you are Egyptian you can't.

Money, Power and Connections
 Egyptian are not even equally treated in regards to each other and do live in the same standards.


  • Average citizens do not pay for their driver license and do not have people who clean for them and drive them around town.



  • If an average citizen commits a crime his dad will not get him out of trouble because he knows someone in the army.



  • An average citizen cannot afford the American University in Cairo and spending 100 pounds for food when this 100 pounds is almost his monthly allowance.


Fascinating Potential

I will never forget one of the interviews I conducted with a French woman, Veronique Sedrot who owns a boutique hotel in old Cairo Le Riad. 

She made me feel so fascinated but at the same time so ashamed. She spoke about Egypt as if it was her country, talking about the wonders, the culture, the social scheme everything she said about Egypt was true and amazing.

Take a look at the hotel and the website and you will understand how she sees Egypt and the pictures actually do not lie.  So why, her and not us Egyptians?


No comments: