Egypt, Full of Stories and Passion
"May the Divinity be implored to invest the folk of Egypt the wisdom and the power to remain for all time a lighthouse of right guidance, and of beauty."
- Isis ("Before the Throne", Naguib Mahfouz)
The next Egyptian parliamentary election, which will be held early next year, promises to be another dramatic moment in Egypt's history. There is trepidation that this might be another step back to the era when the country is ruled by a military president.
"This is a survival election," Khaled Dawoud, spokesman for the center-left Dostour party, said. "If we don't get into this election and win a number of seats, our parties will disappear. That's really my main fear."
The first parliamentary election took place this month four years ago, months after the Egyptian Revolution. This was part of the Arab Spring, a wave of demonstrations that took place throughout the countries of the Arab League. The protesters wanted an end to authoritarianism, corruption, and unemployment. The outcome saw the overthrow of the likes of Hosni Mubarak, many of whom were among the longest-running leaders of the world. Four years later, citizens are wondering if these issues are resolved. Recent events seem like a déjà vu moment.
Between the good ruler and the corrupt
Ancient Egypt is only one of six civilizations to arise independently, its success due to its ability to adapt to the conditions of the Nile River valley. During the height of its power, Egypt would rival the nearby kingdoms (e.g. Assyria), all of which have gone on a gradual decline after the successive invasion of foreign powers. In the case of Egypt, it was during the Greek Ptolemaic Dynasty.
What went wrong?
There were many reasons. Alaa al-Aswany, one of the nation's leading liberal voices, would point to the people. "The Yacoubian Building" was his novel that became an instant bestseller after its first publication. The title would refer to an apartment block in downtown Cairo, inhabited by people from all walks of life. They were distinguished individuals, but the author's description would give a less-favorable impression of them. The other inhabitants might startle the readers. Taha el Shazli is one of them, who turn to terorrism after being raped and tortured while in police custody.
The Yacoubian Building's interior would prompt visitors to reminisce Cairo during the colonial years. It would suggest how the place was once important. But there was squalor all over. This would remind them of the capital (and Egypt), desperately clinging to its fading glory.
Naguib Mahfouz, another renowned writer of Egyptian literature, envisioned the fate of Egyptian leaders. In “Before the Throne”, pharaohs and military officers were being judged by Osiris and Isis. A number of them were just and good, which the gods commended. But many did a gross disservice, which made them defensive. The gods let out a sigh of despair, prompting Osiris to ponder about Egypt's uncertain future.
