As we approach January 25, a decade later, we reminisce. Is Egypt in better shape? Have Egyptians changed? And more importantly, what are we heading towards? Today, we look back and contemplate.
Egypt had reached a peak of stagnation even prior to January 25th, 2011. Very little if anything was being done about healthcare, education, informal settlements, and other challenges that hungered for attention. Most of the revenue coming in went towards serving the debt that paid for subsidies and keeping the country afloat. Progress and development had reached a grinding halt and had been curtailed by bureaucracy, corruption and indifference. The status quo seemed set to outlive us all.
Then ten years ago this January, a revolution came about in Egypt and was followed by immense change, a roller coaster that Egypt has not seen in centuries, more astounding than the many wars it survived.
Egypt’s modern history will be shaped by the events that ensued during and following the Jan 25th Revolution. The 18 days in Tahrir will be remembered as the time when Egyptians united in a glorious precedent that exemplified the true Egyptian character. Egyptians rallied for their Egypt. The result: they changed the Egyptian course, and they broke barriers as they called for that change.
Disappointingly, as some justly called for freedom, justice and dignity on 25 January 2011, others released prisoners from jails and attacked police stations. This while others also sought to loot, vandalize, and burn property, a perfect analogy of how the good and the bad got intertwined.
Still, somehow, some way, and by some unfortunate stroke of events, the Revolution was stolen—right before the eyes of Egyptians. Egypt handed power over to the Islamists. The president; the Shura, the Upper House; the cabinet; the constitution; and the Parliament, the Lower House; were all in the hands of Islamists—Ikhwan and others.
This would have been tolerable had Islamists been able to forget their dissident underground mentality; but their inability to forget their initial desire—to rule—made them unable to befriend, work with, or share with other Egyptians. Only one goal was worth the effort: power.
The challenges were astronomical. The economy was on the brink of a total meltdown. The ongoing mayhem hit tourism, and an average 25 percent of Egyptians were jobless. The country’s foreign reserves fell from $36 billion to $14 billion.
Secondly, sectarian strife was alive and brewing—Islamists gave themselves rights to harm, evict, and kill, if necessary all those who didn’t oblige and follow their scheme. This would’ve changed the make-up of Egypt, as we know it. Long gone was the old Egypt, where neighbours and associates hardly recognized, or asked, which religion the others followed. Seriously at risk was Egypt as a secular state, with minority rights protected and freedom of religion a hallmark of the nation.
Egyptians became perplexed and fractured. They were worried about Sinai’s precarious situation, the Jihadists continuing their onslaught on Egyptians, the fluctuation of the economy, and the Islamists seizing Egypt.
Then came June 30, 2013. It halted the Islamist vision and brought about advancements Egyptians will cherish forever. In the following eight years, fundamental changes occurred, transformations and developments that usually take many decades to be accomplished. To this, we have to applaud and commend Egyptians.
The challenges remain colossal: terrorists confronting our borders on all fronts, startling population growth that ends eating up all developments, and a pandemic that has slowed the pace of growth all over the world. Nevertheless, and despite all this, Egypt has advanced and gone forward with speedy steps.
Hard work, dedication, and perseverance are the name of the game. Despite the obstacles in its way, Egypt is moving ahead with startling improvements in all facets of life: education, health, manufacturing, production, agriculture, road construction, and renewable energy.
Not enough space exists here to discuss each and every outstanding upgrade; still, credit must be given where credit is due even in a synoptic format. A mere few examples would suffice: the eradication of Hepatitis C in Egypt by treating millions of Egyptians infected with the disease, the thousands of kilometres of road construction that should ease the congestion crunch, the Solar Energy Benban Project and other renewable energy projects, the thousands of buildings constructed to house those in need and improve their standard of living, and the hundreds of restoration projects of archeological and monumental sites and museums such as the Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, the Mariotia Canal in Alexandria, and Downtown Cairo.
And at the grassroots level, and due to the worry that engulfed Egyptians in 2012, a rather surprising but gratifying change is occurring among most Egyptians: they are exhibiting their love for Egypt in a distinct and zealous fashion. Most Egyptians have probably always loved Egypt; that is a given, but they also had taken Egypt for granted. Not anymore. Demonstrating devotion -- by focusing on what Egypt offers, by defending it unabashedly, and by cherishing its hard workers and great achievers -- is becoming a common denominator among most Egyptians.
More importantly, Egyptians are proud of Egypt’s current effort to emerge from its recent rut -- proud of the improvements that are visible for those who want to see.
Egyptians remain hopeful as their efforts are rewarded and exemplified. Tomorrow is indeed a better day, one that will reap the fruits of today’s efforts.
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