Egypt

MEET THE SOLO ENTREPRENEUR BEHIND DRUMSTICK, A GREEN STARTUP FIGHTING PLASTIC IN EGYPT

Startup Scene, by LEENA ELDEEB (Link: Meet the solo entrepreneur behind Drumstick, a green startup fighting plastic) 

15,000 Freska-packs were exchanged between beach-goers and Freska sellers last week, thanks to Drumstick.

"Growing up, I was an activist in Greenpeace since I was 14, and later became their Media Coordinator for Lebanon and the Arab world, so this kind of experience early on really formed me," Drumstick's solo founder Sherine Abdel Rassoul tells Startup Scene. Drumstick is a recently-green startup that designs products derived from the global green campaign such as cotton tote bags and other alternatives to plastic. 

 

"It just took me a while to completely dedicate myself back to the environment. I just recently decided to do squarely environmental products starting with the Seoudi Supermarket bags," says Abdel Rassoul, who is also a single mother of a three-year-old. "Because I feel that now more than ever, the world is at an undeniable point [knowing that] if you're not part of the solution then you're really part of the problem."

 

Drumstick started with lines of products that would add colour to household aesthetics, but it wasn't until this year when Abdel Rassoul's early years of environmental activism crossed paths with her recent years of entrepreneurship. In June, she began with selling cotton tote bags in the supermarket Seoudi, saying: No, thank you. I don't want a plastic bag. "We initially approached Seoudi supermarket to sell the bag in their shops, our intention from the meeting is to ask them not to put a high profit margin on it so that it would be an easy purchase for clients, and they were the ones that proposed to pay full expenses for the bag and make it a co-branded product," she says.

 

A few weeks after the Seoudi campaign, Drumstick launched another one in partnership with KarmSolar this time coinciding with beach cleanups organised by Orcas and Greenish at the Egyptian north coast. "We approached KarmSolar for the sponsorship of the Freska bags. KarmSolar is a big established company for solar energy that have been very active in the field since 2011 with really big clients, so we thought it can be a good partnership, both them and us working on something for the environment, it flowed well for a "feel good" product like the Freska bags," she explains. The freska bags also have info-graphs and simple explanation of why the global plastic ban movement is important and not just a hipster trend.

 

"The plastic-free freska campaign is mostly based on social involvement. Of course the core idea is to cut down the ridiculous use of the absolutely useless plastic bags, I mean, you gulp down your freska in three seconds, so technically you don't even need a bag," Abdel Rassoul says, explaining that the idea is for the consumer to pick up the freska bags from one of the distribution points across Cairo and give it to the freska seller they meet at the beach. "The idea behind this is to involve you personally in the equation, to make you part of the change and to make people realize how much power they have, to truly connect to someone and feel the fulfillment of making an impact," she says. 

 

So far, with the sponsorship of KarmSolar, Drumstick has produced 15,000 bags which are almost out as they've been distributed all over from Agami all the way to Ghazala Bay. Abdel Rassoul reveals that another batch of 15,000 freska bags will be available next week.

 

Drumstick started by accident. It was 2008 when Abdel Rassoul decided to quit her full-time job as the editor-in-chief of G-mag, a Cairo-based lifestyle magazine, and pursue her passion in design and crafts. Among the things she made at her studio in Old Cairo's Fustat district was some tile stickers and socket covers to add some Arabic funk to her space, way before Arabic pop design became trendy. "The idea seemed repeatable and expandable, so I thought why not sell it?" That was the pivotal moment for Abdel Rassoul's turquoise studio to turn into a registered company and march side by side with its fellow green startups fighting plastic-use in the region.  

 

 

VeryNile announces competition to stop plastic usage

Egypt Independent, by Mira Maged (Link: VeryNile announces competition to stop plastic usage) 

Following various efforts put into place to transform Egypt into an environmentally friendly country, VeryNile in collaboration with UN Environment has launched a competition encouraging users to put forward alternatives to single-use plastics.

Applicants are only required to submit two preliminary ideas or project plans through which society can stop using disposable plastics.

The deadline is August 25 and the winner will be granted a financial prize of LE30,000, according to the official website.

An official statement on VeryNile’s website explains that “This award encourages applicants to come up with an innovative idea that will have a positive impact on the environment by limiting, preventing or replacing the use of single-use plastic bags in Egypt”.

The Association for the Protection of the Environment released a decision by Governor Ahmed Abdullah banning single-use and disposable plastics in the Red Sea governorate.

The decision was first implemented last June.

The association’s statements read that this move is designed to protect species facing extinction as plastics in the Red Sea can cause severe harm due to ingestion, poisoning or smothering. Many animals swallow plastic, ending in their death, and marine plastics also pose risks to human health.

Plastic bags are being banned across Egypt in food shops, restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores and pharmacies. Moreover, all single-use plastics including plastic knives, forks, straws and cups are strictly banned from the Red Sea Governorate’s restaurants and cruise ships.

The head of the Environmental Affairs Agency Shehab Abdel Wahab previously declared that Egypt consumes nearly 12 billion plastics bags on an annual basis.

According to a scientific report that was conducted by the Science Magazine relying on data that was collected in 2010, Egypt ranks the seventh in the list of “countries with the most mismanaged plastic waste.”

A report released by the Waste Management Regulatory Authority states that Egypt generates 57,020 tons of solid waste/day.

Tanzanian president, Egypt’s Electricity Minister lay cornerstone for Stiegler’s Gorge dam

Al-Masry Al-Youm, via Egypt Independent

 

Tanzanian President John Magufuli, Egyptian Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker and several senior Tanzanian officials laid the cornerstone for the hydroelectric Stiegler’s Gorge dam project on Saturday.

The Tanzanian president praised Egypt’s relations with Tanzania and expressed his confidence in the project’s completion, a dream for the Tanzanian people to provide clean energy; he pointed out that Tanzania loses 400 hectares of wood per day for energy.

Magufuli explained that the dam project is located on only two percent of the Selous Game Reserve, and that this project will contribute to the preservation of the environment, create more jobs for Tanzanians, and put Tanzania onward the path of development in establishing factories and the various activities that depend on energy.

Shaker on his part said that the dam project would become a milestone of cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy.

The Minister added that this project allows the generation of energy, which contributes to achieving the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development, alongside implementing the Renewable Energy Initiative in Africa.

Shaker added that Egypt will stand by Tanzania hand in hand through transferring technology and expertise, and that the Ministry of Electricity aims to provide 50 training opportunities for Tanzanians at the Ministry’s training centers within Egypt.

The power station would be located across the Rufiji River at the Stiegler’s Gorge in the Selous Game Reserve, which is located in the Morogoro region and lies 220 kilometers southwest of Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital and largest city of Tanzania.

The owner of the project is the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy, while Egyptian companies Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric are constructing the project.

The project aims at generating electricity of 2,115 MW to provide energy needs in Tanzania, as well as controlling water levels during flood periods and provide Tanzania’s water needs.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

Editorial: British Airways must apologise

Ahram Online

The bitter joke this week among followers of social media in Egypt was the sudden, extremely irresponsible and bizarre decision by British Airways (BA) to suspend flights to Cairo for seven days. 

Among the most popular comments made was one noting that while the British government was dragged into a dangerous escalation with Iran after the exchange of seizing oil tankers in Gibraltar and the Strait of Hormuz, threatening Tehran with “serious consequences”, their reaction was to suspend flights to Cairo.

On Saturday, the British company claimed in a brief statement that, “We constantly review our security arrangements at all our airports around the world, and have suspended flights to Cairo for seven days as a precaution to allow for further assessment.” However, only a day later, Sherif Barsoum, BA regional director, stated: “We have no concerns over security at Cairo Airport. The decision is purely related to the airlines.” Does this make any sense?

For a country like Egypt, where tourism is a prime source for much needed revenues, such announcements should not be taken unilaterally by an airline company without prior consultation with the concerned local authorities.

Indeed, all airlines operating in Egypt are entitled to guarantee the safety of their passengers and fleet of airplanes, which is a main concern for the Egyptian government before any other parties. Yet, it doesn’t take much thinking to expect that such decisions do not only affect the concerned companies.

BA must have certainly considered that a brief statement issued out of the blue would clearly have negative repercussions on the entire tourism industry in Egypt, investments and the entire economy. That’s certainly not an issue to be taken lightly by Egypt, or any other country.

Worse, shortly after the BA statement, Germany’s Lufthansa announced a similar measure. However, after clarifications were made by Egyptian civil aviation authorities, the German airliner immediately reversed their decision that only lasted for a few hours.

Confirming that there were no serious security threats in Egypt, hundreds of other airlines, including major companies in Europe and the United States, maintained their regular, scheduled flights to Egypt.

However, this fact did not prevent enemies of Egypt, who survive on spreading false news about its security through media outlets known for lacking any credibility, from spreading false rumours that other US and Canadian airlines had taken similar decisions to suspend flights to Egypt, or even that Britain was about to evacuate all British nationals residing in Egypt.

Thus, the BA decision raised the eyebrows of many unable to comprehend why such a reckless decision was made.

Following the tragic crash of the Russian plane over Sharm El-Sheikh in 2015, Egypt has exerted all possible effort to improve security at Egyptian airports.

After spending hundreds of millions of dollars to provide airports with the latest security technologies, Russia, as well as the airlines of other countries, including BA, recognised that major progress has been made, and resumed their flights to Cairo International Airport.

Meanwhile, talks remain ongoing with Russia to resume flights to the popular Red Sea resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada.

The Russian delay, along with the British, however, did not prevent tens of thousands of their citizens from spending their holidays at those outstanding resorts by flying transit from other nearby countries, recognising that Egypt is indeed a safe place to visit.

On Sunday, Minister of Civil Aviation Younis Al-Masry met with the British ambassador to Egypt to discuss the unjustified decision by BA to suspend flights to Cairo.

The minister expressed his dismay to the ambassador over the unilateral decision by BA. Al-Masry and the British ambassador agreed to continue joint efforts to resolve the issue as soon as possible, and also agreed to continue to cooperate in order to ensure the safety of passengers, according to official statements.

While the British government insisted that it did not advise the BA decision, and that it was made by BA alone, many Egyptians found this argument difficult to believe.

Intelligence information that led BA to suspend its flights for a week certainly did not come from its private agents, especially that the British company had only concluded a regular review of security measures at Cairo airport hardly a day before the awkward statement was made on Saturday.

After such a periodic review, there were no indications whatsoever that there were any shortcomings in security at Cairo International Airport.

Egypt is the largest Arab country, and among the largest in Africa, and cannot be treated by a British company as one of its subsidiaries.

BA certainly owes Egypt an apology, and a clear pledge that such decisions will not be made in the future without consultation first with local authorities.

 *A version of this article appears in print in the 25 July, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: BA must apologise

via english.ahram.org.eg

الإعلام الغربي الموجّه

الاهرام اليومي بقلم عزة رضوان صدقي _السبت ٢٧ يوليو ٢٠١٩

يغمرني الغضب والاشمئزاز عند قراءة كتابات الإعلام الغربي عن مصر، فعلى الرغم من أن هؤلاء الصحفيين يحاولون الظهور بمظهر محايد وغير متحيز، فهم أيضا بشر وليسوا فوق الشبهات ولهم ميول وأطماع ويتبعون آراء ملاك الجرائد ورعاتها. إذن لابد أن نسلِّم بالأمر الواقع: الصحفيون الغربيون يعملون بلا كلل ضد مصر ويظهرون عداءهم للنظام الحالي دائما وأبدا

ما هو الداعي الحقيقي وراء هذا العداء؟ بعضهم يقول إنهم يدعمون حقوق الإنسان، والبعض الآخر مضلَّل به أو غير ملم بما جد في مصر، ولكن بالتأكيد منهم مجنّدون في مخطط أكبر يهيمن عليه فكرة إحباط كل ما هو مصري. حتى نستطيع محاربة شرهم لابد أن نتفهّم كيف يصنعون العداء ويقودون القارئ الغربي وبالتبعية القراء المصريين إلى استنتاج نمط خاطئ عن مصر. مع مرور الوقت أصبحت ملمّة تماما بتدابيرهم ووسائلهم المغرضة وبلهجة ونبرة أصواتهم، لذا فأنا الآن على دراية كاملة بأساليب هؤلاء الصحفيين، وها أنا أسرد بعضها لكم

هناك أداة تستغل كثيرا في التلاعب الإعلامي، وهي تكرار الفكرة مرات ومرات ومرات حتى يتقبلها القارئ في النهاية على أنها الحقيقة وإن كانت مرة. لا تشير الصحافة الغربية إلى الرئيس السابق مرسي إلا بقول "أول رئيس مدني مصري" أو "أول رئيس منتخب ديمقراطيا في مصر"، وأن انتخابات هذا العهد هي "أول انتخابات حرة في البلاد حيث انتُخب فيها محمد مرسي رئيسا". هي ديباجة متواجدة في جميع المقالات السياسية عن مصر حتى لو كان موضوع المقال ليس له صلة بالرئيس السابق. أكثرهم سبا هي "توفي محمد مرسي أول وآخر رئيس منتخب ديمقراطياً في مصر". التكرار وسيلة ناجحة لطبع الفكرة في ذهن القارئ، لذا وجب الحذر

 يتلاعب الصحفيون الغربيون بالألفاظ لتضليل القارئ. الأفعال "يزعم" و"يقولون" بشكل خاص هدفها التشويه. عندما يكتب أحدهم "يزعم النظام في مصر أن جماعة الإخوان المسلمين تقف وراء الهجمات الإرهابية"، يسنتنج القارئ أن النظام المصري يكذب. أو "تزعم مصر أن الرئيس مرسي متهم في قضية مخابرة الأعداء" تعني أن الكاتب يبرئ الرئيس مرسي. أو "تزعم الحكومة أن جماعة الإخوان المسلمين تلجأ إلى العنف" تضلل القارئ إلى الاعتقاد بأن الحكومة ليس لديها دليل لتثبت هذا العنف.  ثم "قتلت قوات الأمن المصرية العديد من أعضاء جماعة الإخوان المسلمين- الذين يقولون إنهم إرهابيون" تعني أن قولهم هذا مشكوك في صحته - كلها وسائل لإرباك القارئ

 كذلك استعمال المبني للمجهول له تأثيره لأنه يتعمد التشكيك بدون ذكر الفاعل، فمثلا "استُخدم (بضم التاء) القضاء المصري كأداة لتسوية الخلافات السياسية" يوحي بأن القضاء المصري مسيّر ومتحيِّز للسلطات المصرية. كما يستشهد هؤلاء بمن آراؤه مطابقة لآرائهم، فعندما تُوفي الرئيس مرسي استشهد الصحفيون بكلمات عزاء الرئيس إردوغان وحماس وأعضاء حزب الحرية والعدالة، كما لو كان هؤلاء هم المصادر المطلعة الملمة بالأمور

 يتلاعب الصحفيون الغربيون أيضا بفكرة الولاء القومي للغربيين. يدافع هؤلاء عن المتهمين والمحتجزين الغربيين لأنهم، على قدر تخيلهم، ضحايا أسمى من فعل الرذيلة، أو أن يكونوا جناة إرهابيين. فمثلا العناوين الرئيسية هذه "حكمت مصر على رجل أعمال أمريكي بالسجن١٥ عاما" أو "مصر تحتجز ١٨ أمريكيا على الأقل" تطالب القارئ الغربي بالغضب والتشكيك في التشريع والنظام القضائي المصري. إنهم يتجاهلون تماما أن هؤلاء مصريون أصلا ويحملون الجنسية الأمريكية ومتورطون في أفعال إجرامية فعلا

 ثم يستخدم الصحفيون عناوين الصحف لإثارة الجدل والكراهية. العنوان "مرسي: موت متوقع" هو بالطبع افتراء، فصحيح الموت حق، ولكن الصحفي هنا يعني أن وفاة الرئيس السابق كانت متوقعة.. إذن فغير مستبعد أن تكون وفاته غير طبيعية. ثم العنوان "لم يكن مرسي مثاليًا، لكنه كان أفضل رهان مصري ضد الطغيان" يضرب بعرض الحائط كل مساوئ الرئيس السابق وكل إنجازات القيادة الحاليه. أما الأضحوكة الكبرى فهي "بوفاة محمد مرسي مضت اللحظة الديمقراطية في مصر". على الرغم من أنني أجد الصياغة الواردة في العناوين المذكورة أعلاه هزلية للغاية فهي أيضا مستفِّزة ومتواطئة مع كارهي مصر بوضوح وغطرسة لا نهائية لها

الصحفيون الغربيون دائما وأبدا بالمرصاد لمصر، يسلِّطون الضوء على السلبيات ويعتِّمون على الإيجابيات، سعداء بالمحن التي قد تنتاب البلاد. أرجع بذاكرتي إلى مقالة النيويورك تايمز وقت أزمة السكر، حيث كان عنوانها "محبو السكر في مصر سوف يثورون"، بالله عليكم! هل قلة السكر تستحق هذا الانتباه أم هي مؤامرة من بعضهم لبث الفكرة في نفوس الضعفاء؟ في نفس الوقت يغض هؤلاء الطرف عن جميع الإيجابيات ويهملون ذكر المشاريع والجهود المبذولة في التنمية الاقتصادية. هذه الأمور الإيجابية ليست مثيرة بالقدر الكافي وتتعارض مع رؤيتهم

يأخذون على عاتقهم إبلاغ العالم بما يحدث في مصر، ولكن للأسف مع التضليل والتشويه. ستستمر مصر في تحمُّل الصدمات- لا شيء جديدا في ذلك - بس "الصدمات بتقوِّي ومش بتهد" فلنحاول فهم ألاعيب الإعلام الغربي والتعامل معه

 

 

Egypt: A Path Forward for Economic Prosperity

International Monetary Fund

• IMF COUNTRY FOCUS

July 24, 2019

Egypt’s economic reforms have helped strengthen growth, reduce unemployment, increase foreign exchange reserves, and put public debt on a downward path. The reforms, supported by a US$ 12 billion EFF arrangement from the IMF, are aimed at achieving more sustainable, inclusive, and private-sector-led growth that will improve the living standards of all Egyptians. In an interview with Subir Lall, head of the IMF team for Egypt, we discuss the history, evolution, and achievement of the program as it comes to an end.

What were the key objectives of the program?

Prior to the reform program, Egypt implemented inconsistent macroeconomic policies which, by 2016, had led to a build-up of significant imbalances. Large budget deficits, loose monetary policy, and a fixed exchange rate had resulted in a drastic reduction in foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, and unsustainably high levels of public debt. Growth had fallen and unemployment increased, especially among women and youth.

The program’s immediate priority was to address these issues, restore macroeconomic stability, and avoid a crisis. For example, moving to a flexible exchange rate restored equilibrium in the foreign exchange market, and eliminated the shortage of foreign exchange. In addition, the government launched an ambitious three-year plan to rein in the budget deficit which, at over 10 percent of GDP, was among the highest in the region. They also tightened monetary policy by raising interest rates. These were critical measures to reduce public debt as a share of GDP and limit inflation.

Another important component of the authorities’ program was to address extensive fuel subsidies, which were a significant drain on the budget. These subsidies made fuel in Egypt one of the cheapest in the world, encouraging excessive consumption and benefiting the well-off far more than the poor because those with means consumed more. Phasing out fuel subsidies created more room in the budget for better-targeted social spending, as well as more investment in health, education, and public infrastructure.

Tell us about the social spending elements of the program.

Moving to a modern social spending system required scaling up the cash transfer programs to those most in need. Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity), for example, expanded from about 200,000 households to 2.3 million households, or 10 million people who were carefully identified as those who needed social assistance. These programs were the most effective way to ensure that the poor did not bear the costs of these economic adjustments. Social policy centered around Takaful and Karama were critical to ensuring public support for the broader reforms Egypt needed to undertake to stabilize the economy and to lay the foundation for higher and more inclusive growth.

What were the main achievements of the program?

The program achieved its key objective of macroeconomic stability, which is a precondition to attract investment, raise growth, and create jobs.  Current account deficits have fallen and foreign exchange reserves are at all-time high levels. Growth has recovered from around 4 percent to 5.5 percent now, and is expected to reach 6 percent by next year, while unemployment has fallen below 9 percent to its lowest level in over a decade. Public debt has begun to decline and inflation has fallen steadily—on track to reach single-digits by next year. This sets the stage for broader reforms, such as improving the business climate, which can lead to higher private sector-led investment and job creation.

Another achievement is tied to the fundamental drivers of growth and prosperity. For example, the fuel subsidy reform gets the prices right, because when prices start reflecting costs, the economy improves by allocating resources more efficiently. Getting relative prices to reflect costs steers more private investment into sectors that create more jobs, rather than capital-intensive sectors that produce relatively fewer jobs but take advantage of fuel subsidies. Other changes, including increasing competitiveness, reforming public procurement, and increasing transparency of state-owned enterprises will help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government. These efforts will also modernize the economy so that Egypt can become a bigger player in the global trading system—with the opportunity to take advantage of global and not just domestic growth.

With the IMF program coming to an end, how should Egypt move forward?

We see two priorities moving forward. First, to cement the hard-won gains in stabilizing the economy. And second, to accelerate reforms to unleash the economy’s potential, making the private sector the engine of growth.

In practice, this means ensuring that the current cushion of foreign exchange reserves is preserved by maintaining a flexible exchange rate. Inflation should remain on the decline, along with public debt, which would create more room for investment in health, education and public infrastructure. The broader goal of these reforms is to ensure that the economy becomes increasingly market-oriented, where the role of the state becomes more of a facilitator rather than as a driver of growth. Indeed, Egypt needs at least 700,000 new jobs annually to absorb its young and growing population, and that can only come from the private sector.

Whatever happened to them?

Al Ahram Weekly and Ahram Online, by Azza Radwan Sedky , Wednesday 24 Jul 2019

Egyptians today are prouder of their history and their ability to survive hardships and come out stronger and more resilient in the end

Egyptians have changed. They now fear for Egypt, take pride in everything Egyptian, and would jump through hoops on its behalf. More importantly, they stand on guard ready to pounce on anyone who mocks or bears malice towards their country.  

Many a time I had commented on the Egyptians’ apparent indifference to the challenges engulfing Egypt. These challenges have demanded immediate attention, reform and rectification, but they have remained sluggish, apparently ready to stagnate further in the grip of a perception that nothing can change or improve and that Egypt’s destiny is set to remain in a rut.

Ridicule, jokes and mockery underestimate such challenges and consequentially underestimate Egypt and its people, turning everything into a trivial farce.

The indifference has been so blinding that the good and the bad have got entangled together, allowing us to build haphazardly, behave chaotically, err arrogantly and see calamities go unheeded. 

Some Egyptians have considered themselves to be above the law. “Do you know who I am?” is a question that has guaranteed some indiscreet above-the-law freedoms, and since everyone errs, why shouldn’t I err, too? “It’s not that I am the only one doing it” has been the common excuse, turning the unacceptable into an acceptable norm. 

Today, many are asking if the Egyptians have changed, or if they are still exactly where they were: apathetic and complacent and unaware of the ramifications of such a demeanour. 

Let’s start a few years back. As some justly called for freedom, justice and dignity on 25 January 2011, others released prisoners from jails and attacked police stations. Others sought to loot, vandalise and burn property, a perfect analogy of how the good and the bad got intertwined. 

Soon afterwards, Egypt faced a period when it faltered as it had never faltered before. It was then that the silent majority, or as some would say, the Couch Party (those who contemplate events from afar), realised that the abyss was imminent. Egypt as they had known it seemed to be gone for good.

But then a new leadership exonerated Egypt. It came promising hard work, respect and a strong stand against corruption. “Long live Egypt” became a usual description for many attitudes. 

Here, the fear of the abyss that Egypt seemed to be at the edge of blended with the hope of a better tomorrow to create a new Egyptian, one who seemed to rise like a phoenix from the ashes, one who readily believed in Egypt and what it offers, and one who took pride in everything Egyptian. 

Jokes will remain an integral part of Egypt and the way in which its people deal with everyday life. But the degrading mockery and deprecation of what we all value, extremely common before the revolution, has no place in today’s Egypt. 

Egyptians today are proud of their history, civilisation and ability to survive hardships and come out the other end stronger and more resilient. 

They fume at the Western media when it misjudges or offends Egypt. When the TV channel Euronews described Hisham Ashmawi, the terrorist caught in Libya and brought back to Egypt, as a “prominent dissident,” it was thus held accountable. It had to change its headline on the subject to “Egypt receives Hisham Ashmawi, one of the most wanted terrorists.”

It also said that “we have modified the original title of the story by correcting Hisham Ashmawi’s description; we apologise for the error, which does not necessarily reflect the editorial line of Euronews.” The Egyptians were vindicated.

The pride associated with renowned Egyptians such as footballer Mohamed Salah and actor Rami Malek stems from their being Egyptian, with their actions confirming this affiliation.

Most Egyptians had not heard of Mina Massoud, the young Egyptian actor who plays Aladdin in the Hollywood movie, but when he hailed Egypt in a “Long live Egypt” shout, he immediately became a household name. 

When economist Mohamed Al-Erian became president of Queen’s College at Cambridge University and Dame Minouche Shafik became the first woman to head the London School of Economics, Egyptians were thrilled.

When Magdi Yacoub was named as one of the world’s most famous medical legends, again they were gratified. When civil engineer Hani Azer was awarded Germany’s Order of Merit, the Egyptians cheered.

Every time athletes such as the amazing Egyptian swimmers and squash, taekwondo and weightlifting players win medals their photographs are immediately sent out on the Internet as true Egyptians.  

Egyptians not only take pride in individuals, but also places, heritage, history and effort. The natural beauty that Egypt has was always there, for example, but it is only today that it is truly appreciated and bragged about. Comments such as, “these are not photographs of the beaches in Nice, but of Marsa Alam or Sahl Hasheesh,” or “this is not from Paris, but the Fifth Settlement,” and “Downtown Cairo as it should be,” speak of this pride.

Even old neighbourhoods get the same appreciation, “#GamaleyaNeighbourhood, I will support Egyptian tourism” is one hashtag.

The pride associated with major projects such as the Sinai Tunnels or the Axis of Rod Al-Farag prove that the Egyptians are on track as they hope for more and more improvements. Their pride in the opening and closing of the African Cup of Nations football competition was unprecedented. 

Philanthropists have multiplied in Egypt allowing charities to multiply, too. Dozens of major hospitals have been established in Upper Egypt and other regions. 

Although we have not overcome corruption completely and maybe we never will, the corruption that used to be in everyone’s face in an unabashed fashion has somewhat diminished for fear of the consequences. Even ministers can be charged and found guilty.  

The arrival of such striking changes was inevitable, but two elements needed to come together to create the appropriate milieu: fear for Egypt and hope for a better tomorrow. 

Have the Egyptians changed? Of course they have. Do they crave even further change? Absolutely, but they are undoubtedly on the right track.

*The writer is a political analyst.

 *A version of this article appears in print in the 25 July, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Whatever happened to them? 

 

via english.ahram.org.eg

برومو التامين الصحي الشامل

 

 

Losing my religion for equality

The Age; Jimmy Carter writes in 2009. It is applicable in almost all religions today.

Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.

I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be "subservient" to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.

Illustration: Dyson

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries

At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within the

their own communities.

The impact of these religious beliefs touches every aspect of our lives. They help explain why in many countries boys are educated before girls; why girls are told when and whom they must marry; and why many face enormous and unacceptable risks in pregnancy and childbirth because their basic health needs are not met.

In some Islamic nations, women are restricted in their movements, punished for permitting the exposure of an arm or ankle, deprived of education, prohibited from driving a car or competing with men for a job. If a woman is raped, she is often most severely punished as the guilty party in the crime.

The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why there are still so few women in office in the West. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us. The evidence shows that investing in women and girls delivers major benefits for society. An educated woman has healthier children. She is more likely to send them to school. She earns more and invests what she earns in her family.

It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population. We need to challenge these self-serving and outdated attitudes and practices - as we are seeing in Iran where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy - and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. We have decided to draw particular attention to the responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring equality and human rights and have recently published a statement that declares: "The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable."

We are calling on all leaders to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices, no matter how ingrained, which justify discrimination against women. We ask, in particular, that leaders of all religions have the courage to acknowledge and emphasise the positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world's major faiths share.

 

The carefully selected verses found in the Holy Scriptures to justify the superiority of men owe more to time and place - and the determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence - than eternal truths. Similar biblical excerpts could be found to support the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence to oppressive rulers.

I am also familiar with vivid descriptions in the same Scriptures in which women are revered as pre-eminent leaders. During the years of the early Christian church women served as deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets. It wasn't until the fourth century that dominant Christian leaders, all men, twisted and distorted Holy Scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant positions within the religious hierarchy.

The truth is that male religious leaders have had - and still have - an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions - all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.

OBSERVER

Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

via www.theage.com.au

بوردينة: مرسي قال "سنوطن الفلسطينيين بشبرا لو أرادوا"

   العربية

"بوردينة: مرسي قال "سنوطن الفلسطينيين بشبرا لو ارادوا

كشف نبيل أبو ردينة، وزير الإعلام الفلسطيني، عن أن الرئيس المصري الراحل، محمد مرسي، كان ينوي توطين الفلسطينيين في سيناء، وأبلغ موافقته على ذلك للرئيس الفلسطيني، محمود عباس

وقال في لقاء صحافي له مساء الأربعاء، بمقر السفارة الفلسطينية بالقاهرة إنه سمع الرئيس المعزول محمد مرسي، وهو يقول للرئيس الفلسطيني أبو مازن، إنه موافق على توطين الفلسطينيين في سيناء، وموافق على توطينهم في شبرا في قلب القاهرة لو أرادوا

وكشف أبو ردينة عن أن الرئيس المصري عبد الفتاح السيسي أوقف مخطط ما يطلق عليه في بعض وسائل الإعلام "صفقة القرن" حيث رفض مناقشة الفكرة من الأساس، مشيرا إلى أن أحد بنود الصفقة كان توطين الفلسطينيين في سيناء

وأشار إلى أن السلطة الفلسطينية تعتبر القضية الفلسطينية قضية أرض محتلة وليست أرضا متنازعا عليها، كما تؤمن أن حل الدولتين وأن القدس عاصمة لفلسطين هو الحل الوحيد، مؤكدا أن السلطة الفلسطينية تعتبر السلام خيارا استراتيجيا

وقال وزير الإعلام الفلسطيني، إن حركة حماس وراء استمرار الانقسام الفلسطيني، لأنها تعرقل تنفيذ الاتفاقيات التي سبق أن وقعت عليها بإتمام المصالحة، مشيراً إلى أن أبو مازن حريص على إتمام مساعي المصالحة، وإنهاء الانقسام

وأوضح أن المصالحة الفلسطينية لن تتم إلا بتعهد حماس السماح للحكومة الفلسطينية بالعمل دون وضع عقبات أمام عملها في قطاع غزة.