Cairo, Egypt
www.myeyeonegypt.net
You won’t –you can’t--believe the pride Egyptians feel about the January 25 Revolution.
“Raise you head high! You’re an Egyptian!” they say to each other.
Egyptian flags which only flew only on government buildings now flutter from apartment windows and passing cars. Red, white and black stripes are painted on everything—even the curbs of the sidewalks. People say “The air is fresher; the sun more benign.” They fully trust life will get better. So do I.
First free and fair
The referendum on constitutional changes will be the first time EVER that Egyptians have voted in fair and free elections. My family of college professors is out in the streets with the “youth of Tahrir” explaining how democracy works and fanning enthusiasm for voting. They’re chatting up the shopkeepers.
My housekeeper Om Mohamed, who at 50 something, had only voted once in her life (in exchange for a blanket and a box of food she never received) marched herself off to the Tahrir Square demonstrations. She, her adult children and all their neighbors are going to vote. They feel we need a totally new constitution so, like my family, will vote ‘no’ on the referendum.
Democacry: Fresh, clean and encumbered
While odd political bedfellows, members of the old National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood, are pushing hard for a ‘yes’. They say it’s best to speed the transition and have early elections for parliament.
Of course, the decision would benefit both parties since they are, at the moment, the only major, well-organized politically groups. They’re eager to get what control they can before other groups coalesce. And, in reality, they’ve got the advantage and are likely to dominate the political sphere for a while.
[Flash: Returns from the election now in. 77% of voters approved the proposed amendments to the constitution]
But not for long. The people are determined; they’re learning;they’re not afraid. As a parking garage attendant told me, “Tahrir Square is just down the street.”
Money woes
The economy’s on the brink of disaster. Tourism, an economic mainstay, is currently dead. Industry, at a standstill for over a month, falters. Average income dropped by 61% this month.
Desperately poor laborers, who are credited with being the early adopters of political activism in Egypt, are striking for a living wage. The best they’ll get is 15% raise…well below the recent rises in cost of living.
Policeless state
A police state has its advantages; one is that the people are less likely to be assaulted by urban bandits. But the police been off-duty since Mubarak left and the thousands of thugs that Mubarak released during the uprising are out and hunting.
While the place is still safer than any city in the States, Egyptians are a bit rattled. This week police began returning to the streets and people are relaxing.
The (fingers-crossed) transitional leadership
But the army, which the people warily hold in high esteem, is holding things together as best it can, enough for people to smile and say “Welcome to Egypt. Come visit us . Now please!”
Amal Sedky Winter PhD
Cairo Egypt
www.myeyeonegypt.net
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