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Egyptians still looking for real change

As two years have passed since Egypt’s January 25 revolution, Egyptians here are mostly in favour of the major breakthrough while others are worried about the economic and political consequences of the same.

Wael Soliman, engineer, said as is the case with all revolutions worldwide, all need to be patient, cooperative, and responsible to bear fruits. “It is logically nonsensical for everything to turn upside down all of a sudden. Whoever is in power needs time and indeed devoted collaboration from us all for the country to change for the better,” he said.

“We are talking about years of tyranny, dictatorship and widespread corruption in all walks of life. Hundreds of officials, and even regular people, used to breathe deviation; some did want and enjoyed it while others were pushed to fraud and dishonesty,” he added.

Naji Abu Mohammed, marble factory manager, said a revolution means a turning point in people’s life; a completely different chapter in history with advantages and disadvantages. “However, no matter how long or how many people protest against corruption and tyranny, we all need to work, be productive, helpful, think out of the box, and be sure that any transitional stage in any part of the world takes time, and even years in some countries.

“We should also be fully aware that the ousted regime and its supporters inside and outside the country will not give up easily. This is pretty clear in the daily demonstrations, strikes, fires, and attempts to create crises in all aspects, particularly fuel and food,” said Ramadan Mohammed, businessman. “Egypt is the mother of all Arabs, and many do not want her to rise up again though it will be good for all. I am really grateful to everybody who participated in the revolution which has brought life to all Egyptians again, and I am sure things will be better soon on condition that we all work and protect our country,” said Jamal Maghrabi.

Ibrahim Abu Usama, cashier, said everybody is free to have their say and even protest but in a peaceful way without hampering production or people’s affairs. “I believe all calls for violent protests to oust the regime will be useless. Egypt now needs production rather than celebrations, protests or strikes.”

Khalid Abu Yusuf, accountant, believes that there is no hope after the January 25 revolution particularly with the ongoing economic crisis. “Things are the same, if not worse, and nothing has changed; people are still suffering, and corruption is everywhere. Official statistics issued by the government in Egypt in 2012 show that more than a quarter of the Egyptians only collect $1.5 a day.”

Echoing the same, Ahmed Burei, public relations official, said though Hosni Mubarak was a big tyrant, people used to live peacefully. “(Now) everything is unstable, fuel is not available all the time, and prices are skyrocketing.”

Sherief Al Wakeel, contractor, said: “Egypt’s revolution was not only about widespread poverty despite the country’s abundant wealth and natural resources. “People mainly protested against dictatorship, absence of freedom, corruption, and getting wider gap between the rich and poor, and they are ready to protest again if nothing changes.” Wael Safwat, human resources manager, said he never had the illusion that the revolution was an easy way for change, “but in Egypt, it was inevitable that the people broke their fears and risked their lives because they could no longer sustain a life under Mubarak’s repression.

“Egyptians, young and old, rich and poor, Muslims and Christians, men and women, all took to the streets risking their lives in confrontations with police bullets and teargas for one demand, “the downfall of the regime”, and shall raise the same banner until they see a real change.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com