To friends...

Welcome back to my idle ranting.... it's been a while!

This column is dedicated to my friends... inspired by someone which I hope that I can eventually call my friend.

What do you find interesting? Some people like stamp collection... some people like to go out or go to movies, some others are into pottery. While I have many interests, my biggest interest is connecting with beautiful people. By beautiful people I mean beautiful souls... people who in different ways exemplify (to me) what it means to be human. This interest stems from a need to believe in the hope of a better tomorrow, a hope that is inspired, in essence, by beautiful people. My continuous quest for defining my own humanity is another motive.

The bottom line is... I am proud of the friends I have. If you're my friend and you're reading this, I just want to say thank you. The fact that we're friends means that, in my eyes, you're beautiful in one, if not many, ways.

Sometimes the beautiful soul I see is only superficial... scratching the surface unhides everything that is intended to be hidden. Other times it takes time to unravel the beauty of a soul because it's been buried under layers of societal conditioning. It takes time for me to really know... even though over the years I've developed an eye for beautiful souls. Rarely has my instinct failed me. In the end, my friends all have a common thread... while defining it may be difficult (my friends are extremely diverse), you can see it clearly when I introduce them to each other, which I frequently do.

While I can judge at first glance (or at least I think I can), I never really know until I'm close enough. There is no real time frame that dictates how quickly the relationship develops. Sometimes circumstances catalyze things, like my relationship with a good friend of mine who's been with me through the good and bad of this very last year - even though we've only known each other for about a year or so. The point is, we don't call each other friends until we really know each other.

I may never know everything about my friend. They may not know everything about me. But at least in one facet of humanity we're perfectly transparent to each other. What it amounts to in the end is that I can say that I really know this person. Before then, we can't really be friends. In the end, there would no need to ever define limits and boundaries. I must be able to touch my friend's soul in some way, and they should be able to touch mine. This is my measure of true friendship.

To all my friends, thank you so much for the opportunity you've given me to experience your humanity.

To friends to be - now you know what it takes for us to be friends.

مصر على الخريطة النووية - استر يا رب

أبشروا يا شعب مصر المتعاص في القهر والظلم... لقد قررت حكومتنا الرشيدة القيام بإنشاء مفاعل نووي!

ألف مبروك – بللو الشربات يا ولاد!

طبعاً أنا مقتنع تماماً أن تصريحات الرئيس مبارك التي وردت بالمسرحية الهزلية المسماة بمؤتمر الحزب الوطني هي تصريحات للاستهلاك المحلي فقط، محاولة بائسة لإرضاء الجماهير المتعطشة لقائد حقيقي، وسبب يقيني بأن هذه التصريحات للاستهلاك المحلي فقط أن اللجنة الوزارية التي سوف يعهد إليها بمتابعة المشروع لم تفرغ بعد من مشروع الأستيكة القومي والذي بدأته في الخطة الخمسية قبل الماضية، وبالرغم من ذلك، فإن فكرة أن تقدم حكومتنا الغراء على مثل هذا المشروع يصيبني بالرعب نظراً لتاريخ حكومتنا الطويل في مشاريع خدمة المواطنين وأذكر منها:

- مشروع تلوث ماء النيل

- مشروع تلوث الهواء

- مشروع حوادث العبارات

- مشروع حوادث القطارات

- مشروع نقص الرعاية الصحية

- مشروع إستيراد المبيدات المسرطنة

طبعاًُ أنا لا أقصد التشكيك في نزاهة الحكومة، والتي أعلم أنها توصلت إلى إستحالة خدمة السبعين مليون مصري فقررت التخلص من نصف السكان لضمان معيشة طيبة للنصف الباقي على قيد الحياة، وأعلم أن مشروع المفاعل النووي هو مشروع طموح الهدف منه الإسراع بتحقيق الهدف المذكور، ولذلك فإنني أحيي حكومتنا على مجهوداتها، ولكن كل ما أخشاه هو الآتي:

- أن يتم إدارة المشروع بصورة غير محكمة تؤدي إلى إمتداد مفعول المشروع إلى النصف الثاني من السكان

- أن أكون شخصياً – حسب تخطيط الحكومة – من نصف السكان الذي سوف يتم التخلص منه

وعليه فإني أطالب الحكومة بالشفافية في إعلان أسماء المواطنين الذي تم اختيارهم للاستشهاد في سبيل رفاهية إخوانهم في الوطن، وتقديم الضمانات الكافية التي تطمئن الفئة المختارة أنه لن تمتد آثار كارثة المفاعل النووي لهم!

وأود أن أشدد على أنه إذا لم تقدم الحكومة الضمانات والبيانات المطلوبة في مهلة قدرها أسبوع، فإنني سوف أقوم بقيادة حركة قومية لمناهضة مشروع المفاعل النووي الحكومي، وسوف أحصل على تأييد الحكومات الخارجية والمنظمات الدولية الخارجية من خلال تسريب معلومات ملفقة عن تصنيع قنبلة نووية مصرية على غرار الإشاعات التي تم على إثرها غزو العراق، وسوف تنضم لي جميع القوى والتيارات الشعبية والقيادات السياسية وأهمهم المناضل شعبان عبد الرحيم والذي سوف يقود المظاهرات بهتافه:

الحكومة خلاص نويتها
هتصفي نص الناس
النووي حيخش بيتنا
والغلابة هتحتاس

قال نووي قال!

حسبي الله ونعم الوكيل!

Final Entries to the Amr Rakha Exhibition for 2006

Since I am nont in a very happy mood, I will include these late entries without comment. The facial portrait is the work of Tamer Adel my long-time protege, and the second belongs to Noha the ex-executive manager of my company Expressions.

This concludes the exhibition - see you next year!

The Rest of the Gang

Although not a distinct submission to the Exhibition, this expansion on the "Managing Gawab" theme was a necessary addition to the current collection:

Getting more interesting by the minute!

And the Entries Keep Pouring In

Seems like I've opened up Pandora's Box! More and more entries to the "Amr in the Eyes of Others" Exhibition. What is most interesting about these entries is the stark contrast between the perceptions, evidence of a long-suspected multiple personality disorder residing within the psyche of Amr Rakha.

The latest entries are quite contrasting, so I decided to exhibit them side by side:

On the top is another entry by Mr. Yaqeen Husam, who postulates a resemblance between Amr Rakha and Zakaria Moussaoui, convicted 9/11 terrorist. I am not sure if I agree with the physical resemblance, but the metaphorical insinuation is outrageous. To the bottom stands the contrast to Mr. Husam's atrocious submission, Mrs. Nesrine Samara's depiction of Amr. The teddy bear rendering, also in Word Art, is more towards Amr's true nature (or so he likes to think).

Keep them coming!

Addendum to the "Amr in the Eyes of Others" Exhibition

On basis of popular demand, I am now entertaining the request of other amateur artists who would like to participate in the exhibition with late entries. If you would like to participate, please send to arakha@gawab.com. The pre-requisite is that you must already know me - in any sense of the word.

A

This is the latest entry, submitted by Mr. Kareem Nasser, one of Amr Rakha's long-time friends. Currently residing in Belgium, Mr. Nasser's memories of Amr are well exhibited by his chosen artistic representation:

A

Send your submissions today!

The First International "Amr in the Eyes of Others" Gallery - June 2006

I am proud to announce the first "Amr in the Eyes of Others" Picture Gallery. I am intrigued by the fact that I have provided interesting material for amateur artists of different schools to depict me. The purpose of this exhibition is not to commemorate me, but to applaud the efforts of the many who have attempted to poke fun at me using art as their weapon.

Here We Go!

Amr and the Freemasons

This depiction of Amr Rakha, circa 2000, attempts to address the possibility of my being part of some freemason order (because I say so much nonesense) by revealing my freemason ID card.

The Circles

A recurring theme in Amr Rakha art, this 2000 Microsoft-Word art rendering of Amr Rakha focuses on the circular aspects of his physique.
















Rounded Slopes

This 2005 caricature by amateur comic artist Mohamed Mohie focuses on frontal upper-abdominal curvatures, which were (and somewhat still remain) one of the most prominent aspects of Amr Rakha's physique.














Amr in the Eyes of Expressions

Developed in Micrsoft Word Art by Expressions' Art team, this depiction of Amr Rakha is tell-tale of the management style applied in his own company, Expressions.














Experimental Photography

This 2006 photograph taken by Mr. Yaqeen Husam, one of Amr Rakha's close friends, depicts what Mr. Husam finds most interesting about Amr Rakha's character.


Managing Gawab

This most recent 2006 depiction captured by Mr. Ibrahim Khalil, staff member working under Amr Rakha's management at Gawab, provides a contrast to the previous rendering of Expressions' staff, tell-tale of a varied management style applied at Gawab.


Remains only one hand-drawn portrait to be added to the collection, but this is more or less it! Please vote for the one you like the most and tell me if you agree with my perception of others' perceptions!

Black is White

Only when all is lost
When nothing else can be lost
Only when we own the pain
That everthing else can be gained

Only when the sun won't rise
Will the sun truly rise and shine
Everything and nothing become one
Only when we cross that line

Let go
Of your Soul
Let go
Of it all

Only when we realize
The true worth of what we seek
Only then do we recognize
The oneness of the pit and peek

Creations made for our lives
Illusions for us to follow
Cannabis to bring us comfort
And promises of a better tomorrow

So have you asked yourself
If you ever had it all
Would you then see the green?
I've asked myself'
And those deluded souls
But that green was never seen

Let go
Of your Soul
Let go
Of it all

Open the iron gates
That imprison your very soul
Don't fear the blood you see
For freedom has its toll

And when the gates are open
Don't fear what lies ahead
For outside the iron gates
Is your soul's deathbed

I beseech you just to linger
For just a little longer
For if you've yet not seen
Your soul's deathbed is green!

Don't run inside again
Let go and you will soar
Nothing is now everything
What you thought was less is more

Let go
Of your soul
Let go
Of it all

Let the fools continue to seek
And expend their last humanity
While you and I my friend
Savor the warmth of reality

For nothing is ever ours
For us to try to own
For when the sherade is over
We go to our beds alone

Let go
Of your soul
Let go
Of it all

I am Immortal

Kill me… kill me
Never will you still me

Stab me… stab me
Never will you have me

Liberate your soul
With empty words
It's all in all
Nothing but words

Believe yourself
Applaud yourself
Take a bow
And cheer yourself

Your victory
Is in your mind
The crowd that cheers
Is an imagined sound

Look at me straight
If you think you can
Don't shield your eyes
Just look and stare

So you think can
Assassinate me
I die and live
Eternally

For the likes of me
And the likes of you
And the life we live
Is far from true

Forever you will
Remain in jail
Your mind is a wall
So weep and wail

And while you stay
Tied to earth
I soar and fly
And point in mirth

I am free
And I can fly
And I can soar
And I will soar

Stab me… stab me
Never will you have me

Stab me… stab me
Stab me and free me

Take a Left at the Next Intersection

You know those times in your life when you come to an intersection?

A major decision that will change your life one way or the other? A marriage, major career move, a decision to travel?

I must admit, I don't like those moments very much, and I must also admit that I am not very good at intersections. This is something I learned about myself a long time ago. It's not that I don't know how to make a decision. SWOT analysis works for everything (well perhaps not that formal, but you know what I mean). I am very rational when it comes to my actions, and in the end I make the optimum decision based on the circumstances.

But I still hate that moment of intersection..

I stand there, not sure whether to take the right turn or left turn. I look for superstitious signs. I tried to enlist the experiences of those who went down similar roads, but in the end, no two roads or experiences are the same. They are at least different simply in the manner in which people themselves are different. I listen to others even though I know I cannot rely on what they tell me quite too much. I seek the advice of people who know me well. I do all this quickly, sum things up, and the decision and its general reprecussions become somewhat clear.

At that point, the thing to do is to take the step in the direction chosen. My body moves, but my heart, soul and mind linger at the intersection for a while longer. As my body, heart, soul and mind re-unite, my steps in the chosen direction become much stronger and surer. But occasionally, I would take a quick glance over my shoulders, just to see if I could a glimpse of the other road. As I walk further down the road, the intersection becomes lost in my memory.

The intersection used to be a burden on my soul until recently. After all, wrenching body from soul is not a nice occurance. I say until recently because I've just learned something in the past few months which has made the intersection a bit easier. I used to think it's impossible to turn back. Off course, the less backwards motion you do, the further ahead you go in life. But just in case you do take a wrong turn (and I've taken a couple), you can bask in the luxury of knowledge that no matter how far ahead up any road, it's never late to turn back.

In fact, not turning back when you know you should is basically betraying yourself, which is sometimes fine because we have obligations which may make turning back impossible. But that's life, a series of trade-offs. But the point is, if you can afford to go back then you definitely should, because there is a "rope and ladder" effect where if you go back to the right intersection, you may actually find a ladder that takes you to the 99 spot in less time and with less effort than the road you where taking. Don't try to second-guess fate, and go with what you feel is right at any given moment in life, no matter what the consequences are.

And, by the way, if you're not sure, take a left at that next intersection :).

Towards A Lighter Blog Entry

Guys - can anyone guess who the guy in the photo is?

(hint: he's a good friend of mine)

Comment on the blog for your entries or send to arakha@gawab.com

Creating A Dialogue…

So I spent last night with a few friends – members of what I like to think of as Egypt's intelligentsia. A discussion started regarding Amr Khaled's conference in Denmark held for the purpose of "creating a dialogue". The fervent discussion that ensued ended with an abrupt decision to close the topic because it was getting too loud. For me, it was reminiscent of scenes from Al-Jazeera Channel, where arguing guests would almost turn the host into a fight-breaker. Or perhaps a scene that all of us see on the streets everyday – a minor car accident can turn into a heated altercation because, magically, both sides have the right of way!

While civil laws exist to determine who's at fault when something like a car accident takes place, issues that fall under the realm of "public opinion" are a totally different issue. However, the mechanism of resolving differences is not what I am trying to discuss here. What I find very discerning is that the mechanism we do choose most of the time is to argue until our discussions become quite heated. Just ask yourself how many times you had a rational discussion with someone on an issue on which you differed completely? How many people do you know with whom you can have such a discussion? Why do we, as a people, choose to argue instead of rationalize?

There are many possible answers to that question, and some would attribute it to "the way we are" as a people – hot-blooded and emotional. Accepting such an explanation is simply bowing down to a societal deficiency that must be addressed suitably. Personally, I believe that it's part of the way we're brought up – part of the influence of our influencing micro-society. We see people around us arguing everywhere so we learn to argue as well and it becomes part of us as we grow into our adulthood. As we grow up, no one takes the time to explain the purpose or the concept of a discussion. Most people go into discussions without the least intent of actually listening in a manner that would allow what is being said to change their opinions. We enter discussions for the purpose of expressing our own opinions with as much evidence (right or wrong!) as possible, sometimes with the unconscious motive to enforce our own beliefs and opinions. When ego is mixed with self-righteousness, the ear and connecting channels to the mind become a very obsolete feature in our physiology. If both sides of the discussion have no real intention to listen, it only makes sense that discussions should turn into arguments and even fights, at which point any chance of resolving differences is lost.

This eventually translates into an inability to communicate, something that hurts our society on all levels. The real reason why we would stay behind as a society is that people who care to make a difference cannot communicate to agree on a mechanism for change. People in the west have a twisted image of us as a people partially due to our inability to communicate to them who we really are – the resultant being incidents such as the Danish Cartoons. As our inability to communicate rationally becomes more deeply embedded in our psyche, our chances to regain our society diminish.

What to do? Start with yourself (the same goes to me – guilty as all!) Learn to listen. When you do, others will eventually be forced to do the same!

Clipart Courtesy of Purdue University.

Questions...

Everytime I go to downtown Cairo, I get a bit nostalgic. I try to imagine that part of Cairo 50 years ago when it was still shining... and I can't help but wonder what happened to us? When you're downtown the next time, try to imagine the streets without the crowd of cars and people and pollution. Try to imagine the buildings in brand new form, the streets clean, and the air crisp and fresh. For me, this transformation exemplifies what has happened to us as a people.

I can't help but wonder about the so many things I always wonder about. I have so many unanswered questions - and what's worse, I have so many people who feel they're already found the answers.

Why can't we agree, as a people, to bring about positive change?

Why do we accept, as a people, to be humiliated every day in a thousand ways, the least of which the pollution in our air and water?

Why is that the death of thousands in a ship wreck has become something for us to get angry about for a few hours (or even a couple of days) and then forget about completely and go on with our everyday lives as if nothing has happened? (I, too, am guilty).

Why is it ok for us to remain oppressed by a regime that has been refuted by the intelligentia after turning the majority of the country into followers?

Have we become insensitive to oppression? Was that the plan from the start? To get the majority of a nation to get used to being oppressed such that it becomes a fact of life?

Why are we not calling for our rights with enough force to be heard?

When can we get our country back - get our society back?

When will we retain the respect of the world in a manner that prevents abuse and disrespect of our sacred symbols?

When will we accept our responsibility as a people towards others who have been placed in the line of fire while we sleep safely in our homes? When will we be men (in the philosophical sense) to accept our responsibility towards our daughters, sisters and mothers who get raped everyday in those places of the world?

When will we wake up from the opium being fed to us from every direction?

What will it take? What will it take?

I have asked before what can we do - the best reply I got was to shut up and forget about it.

I don't want to remain a cynicist, but when that's the only response I get - I have to remain a cynicist.

I call again upon those who want to make a difference... what can we do for this society?

My Thoughts on Thoughts…

As I write this particular post, I feel depressed and lonely. With me is a good friend who I am sure cannot help but feel the same…

A week ago, I was sitting at my favorite hang-out, Cilantro Zamalek branch. The place is too small and so you inadvertently become partner to each and every person's conversation. I was sitting next to a group of two girls and two guys. The conversation that ensued was intolerable to me… I did something against my nature – I actually interfered. It went as follows:

Tarek: Sometimes I start to think about why Allah created us

Islam: Don't think. You shouldn't think about these things. Some things you must take for granted. If you start asking questions, you have no idea where you mind will lead you. You should not ask.

Tarek: But Allah created us with a mind to think…

Islam (interrupting): To think about useful things… not about these things. Why don't you focus on thinking about things which may be more useful to your life?

I don't quite remember the point at which I interfered. I know why I did… This seems to have become a common occurrence for me: people calling for others or me to stop thinking. One person told me it was a sense of romanticism that is not very useful. Another told me that the mind seduces you into the wrong direction and that you should control what you think. Yet another fine young lady told me that I bring myself useless headaches. There is a consensus: we should narrow our framework of acceptable thoughts.

Now had this come from people who were of mediocre education, I would have let it pass. But these reactions have come from people who are well-educated, who belong to Egypt's social and cultural elite – some of them even had their share of education abroad. Everyone seems protective of the framework in which they found themselves, and the thought of the sanctity of this framework being violated is very disturbing to them.

I claim to have a deep respect for other people's ideological and spiritual choices. To take this respect to another dimension, I also respect the depth at which people choose to reach in their ideological and spiritual wanderings. I am very happy for all those who have found their framework and no longer feel the need to pose any questions. This is indeed a blessing. But unless members of this group have answers to my questions, they should respect my choice to continue to question. It is conceivable that I choose to have much less of my beliefs as off-limits for my mind. In the end, any form of spiritualism requires a leap of faith, but I can choose to make my leap of faith narrower.

The dear friend of mine sitting with me introduced me to a great thinker: Ibn Ata'a Al-Sakandary. Why do I choose to think? I believe he has the answer. Ibn Ata'a once said:

إرادتك التجريد مع إقامة الله لك في الأسباب من الشهوة الخفية

This roughly translates to: "Your choice to fail the means provided to you by Allah answers an internal desire". What does this mean: it means that each of us has a role, and failing this role can only take place due to a lack of courage. It is the role of some to think… and out of those many who think, some will come up with original thoughts that will change this world (not me off course). This is how the greatest ideas in the world (including the world of Islam) came to existence.

For those who have found all the answers they need: hope to join you soon. For those who haven't: keep trying and never let anything stop you. Do not fail your courage.

Made to Last...

Eternity is made to last
For a soul burdened with sorrow
The weight of future and past
Leave no hope for a better tomorrow

Like the excruciating blade of the sun
And the scorching heat of the sand
The past and present are one
A soul in no man's land

Like the raging storms of a sea
The waters rising and churning
Echoing the fury and frenzy
The turmoil of a soul in agony

When past and present unite
To doom all that's at stake
The soothing hand of the present
Is the only possible escape

Salvation for the desert walker
Is an oasis appearing from afar
Be it mirage or reality
The walker's step will be drawn

The soul caught in turmoil
Carried by the tumults of the sea
Needs no more than an isle
To bring the soul solidity

The oasis
The present
The isle
Salvation

Egyptian Blues

A group of Italian nationals who came to Cairo especially to attend the final match of the Africa Cup were not allowed into the stadium.

Why? Because they arrived after 3:00 o'clock!

These people bought plane tickets, reserved hotel rooms, paid for the match tickets, only to be stopped at the stadium because they came at 3:30.

Now this has happened to many Egyptians - and I guess since it was announced in our daily newspaper that fans had to arrive before 3:00 - it could be acceptable.

I need someone to explain to me this though: if these Italian nationals do not know Arabic, how can they make sure they arrive at the stadium in time?

I have decided to hold a little survey about this. Please choose an answer and send to amrrakha.com. Here are the choices:

a) They should learn to read Arabic and purchase Al-Ahram newspaper before their arrival in Cairo.

b) They should join Egypt's vast security force, who have easy access to the stadium at all times.

c) One of them should be marry into an important family that has clout in Egypt.

d) They should wait until the African Cup final is not held in Egypt to attend it.

e) None of the above

f) All of the above

We have a long way to go. We need to start now.

Tangible Change

Yesterday, I spent most of my day with a very good friend. She's an accomplished young lady who is doing her share in terms of being a productive citizen, and thus feels she's earned the right to respect from society. The entire day was filled with complaints about "the way things are"; people driving on the street, people serving us food, people walking in malls, etc... Honestly, I agreed with almost everything she said. Something is wrong with this society.

What is wrong with us? Let's see... we simply don't relate to each other. Why is Egypt a dirty country in general? Is it because we, as people, are not clean? That's simply not true. Go into in any of our houses and homes and you will find it as clean as can be (well there are exceptions off course). But walk on the street, and you find litter all over the place. Is this a problem of governmental regulation? I doubt that any regulation can effectively prevent citizens of any country from contributing to the general filth on the streets. Keeping a county clean can only be achieved on basis of social awareness. While Egyptians take good care of their private posessions, public posessions are fair game. We have become individualists with nothing to gather us onto common grounds. Surely, there are groups of people rallied together, but even these share a common best interest. In actuality, we have no real society.

A friend of mine (now wisely relocated in the States) said that this society is dead. Well, I agree, but I'm still here - perhaps not for long, but I am here for now. The question that has really been nagging me lately is: what can we do to try to make a difference? I haven't found a single decent societal or political movement that I can feel comfortable working with (well the best one was a group called Bazrameet, which is a word I cannot find a specific translation for in English, but believe me it's not very enticing. On the other hand, I cannot sit around and watch anymore, or else I forfeit my right to complain.

I guess this article is a calling for ideas. I thought of theatre as a tool to bring about change... to communicate a message aimed at reviving this society. I thought of political parties (only because that would allow us to publish). I thought of working out a web-site to gather all those interested in societal (not political!) reform. I know that many of the people who read my blog shar this common interest.

What can we do?

I need ideas that can be turned into an action plan that we can actually implement. I guess that working towards reviving this society can be a goal worth living for.

Any thoughts?

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well...
It is only fitting that my birthday receives the proper notice on my own blog, right?
Now at the age of 31, and in the wake of a period of forced self-reflection, I am forced to wonder what the value of my first 31 years on earth.

Well, let's see... They say the value of one's life can only be measured by its value to others. I guess that places very little value on my life, doesn't it?

Welcome to the next 31 years!

Why We MUST Destroy the Sphinx!

Have you ever noticed how long it takes for people to disappear in Egypt? Off course, by disappear I mean those who have appeared. As everyone knows, we all don't really exist in this country. The sole purpose of our existence is to provide the filling for those who are eating Egypt up. What I mean is people who have had the good fortune (and misfortune for us) of making it to our public life. As soon as they get there, they become a fact of life that we have to cope with for ages.

This phenomenon spans many fields... it's not any one field in specific. But for instance, when does anyone expect Nadia Al-Guindy or Nabila Ebeid to stop acting - or at least stop doing seductive roles at the age of 10,000? How about Adel Emam (with all due respect - anyone can over do it). Hussam Hassan! When will I stop hearing his name in association with soccer and perhaps in association with.. I don't know.. perhaps a home for the elderly (he IS elderly). Off course, our beloved governement is finally changing somewhat, but you still hear names that seem to be coming from the Pharaonic ages such as Amal Osman or Safwat Al-Sherif... I mean, I can hardly believe that there an earthly power actually exists to remove someone like Kamal Al-Shazely, but still most of our ministers (even the new ones) have overstayed their welcome.

The examples are many - and I tried to find out why this phenomenon exists in our society. Off course, it was easy to note that our biggest role models are in heads of state: Abdel Nasser: 16 years in power; Sadat: 11 years in power; Mubarak: 24 years in power (this is the energizer bunny of Egyptian presidents).

But an ideal so ingrained in our psyche can only originate from something more ever-lasting. I was walking around Giza, hands in my pocket, wondering where the inspiration for this permanence may come from. Then suddenly, I looked up and saw the source of inspiration. For 5000 years, the great Sphinx has provided inspiration for thousands of fame-seekers. There he sits, in all his majesty, with a smirk on his face that promises ages of presence in our midst.

We MUST destroy the Sphinx.

The Framework Theory of Theology

I am not a theologist and do not claim in-depth knowledge of religions. But I am someone who has had the fortune of being exposed to different perspectives. I know I may be crucified for this post, but I will post it anyway and take the heat.

I don't believe there is a single set of right and wrong. I believe that we're all born into a certain framework, and that the boundaries of this frameworks are ever-changing based on our life experiences. Our constant pursuit of the boundaries of the framework as well as our remaining true to this framework at each and every point of our existence (and changing this as the framework changes) is the gauge by which we can evaluate our lives. Is God always in this framework - this is a question that I have yet to answer. Don't get me wrong, this does not mean that God does not exist. It just means that my knowledge of his existence, my faith, does not necessarily make me a better person than someone who has not found Him yet - even if he/she never finds him.

Being a Muslim, I believe in Judgement. But I believe that I cannot extend the basis of my judgement to anyone outside my general framework. I cannot condemn any human being on basis of my belief. I firmly believe that the value of our lives can only be measured by the value of our existence to the rest of humans, be the reference of such value Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, or even Athiesm. What happens to each person in after-life is their problem not mine - as long as we retain our humanity.

I hope I haven't made too many enemies by this post. I just needed to put it up as reference because I seem to be the target of so many talks about religion - who's right, who's wrong. Everyone is right and everyone is wrong. Including me.

A Tribute to A Great Person

You can meet greatness everyday. Sure, greatness does have manifestations - some people are great people in ways that anyone can see... like being a great actor or soccer player. But you CAN see greatness in everyday life as well.

People who know me would find it strange that I meet someone who I may consider a role model (ego speaking here). But this person I am talking about is not a famous writer, not a musician, not a humanitarian. She is a person who is leading a life that is in many ways ordinary, but manages to make it extrordinary in every sense of the word. I have never seen someone in my life who can, at our young age, carry so much psychological weight and still function normally... and not only that - be a source of joy for everyone around her. I don't know how she does it... but I know that people like her are the ones who end up making a real difference in life. I am paying this tribute to this person because personally I have benefited from our friendship - and because I know that there isn't an award out there for such greatness.

Stand up and be recognized...

Thanks for everything, Sherine.

My take on Egypolitics - better late than never!

OK maybe I am late, but I had to say it!

For quite some time, I'd been wanting to participate in the on-going talks on the streets of Cairo regarding the political scene. Presidential elections, parliamentary elections, opposition solidarity… seems so much is going on. I'd been abstaining from venturing my humble opinion because I didn't want to seem like the party pooper amidst all the excitement. But in the wake of the disappointing parliamentary elections, where religion was an instrument for politics, I feel I need to blurt it out (may not feel better anyway but will do it!)

I think I'd be echoing opinions already ventured by many others who are probably much more expert at political science than me when I say that this whole excitement about the political scene is a farce. A sound political system requires many things – an educated populace and equal access to media to name a couple. Whether over 80% of the votes did go to Mubarak or not is the not the issue; the percentage basically represents nothing except the extent of the problem.

So am I personally disturbed by the fact that we don't have a real political scene? Not one bit. As far as I am concerned, I am not bleeding my heart over any of the political movements in Egypt. As a 30 year old Egyptian male who is moderately intelligent and educated, I am simply unconvinced with the ability of the leaders of any of the political movements in Egypt to lead this country into a new renaissance (and for many, I don't even trust their intentions). Secondly, being unaffiliated with any specific political ideology (I have one of my own). I am not blindly following slogans raised in fervor ("Islam is the Solution" and such).

Hence, being free of the need to politicize, I can say that as an average Egyptian citizen, I don't care one bit who rules this country. I am totally indifferent to their backgrounds, ideologies, and leaders. It's not that I am apathetic; I just think that this simply is not the issue. I don't care how the rulers of Egypt come to power, I don't care if I agree with their ideologies, I don't even care for their level of integrity (Does it get any more desperate than that?). So what is it that I am looking for? Just my rights as a citizen. Any political party or leader who provides me with these rights has my support to own the country as far as I am concerned. What are these rights? Here are some of the most important ones:
The right to a good education
The right to a generally acceptable level of municipal and civil services.
The right to be respected in my own country.
The right to good medical services.
The right to express myself without fear of persecution (as long as this expression does not infringe upon the rights of others)
The right to breathe clean air and drink clean water

I could name a thousand others: the right to drive on well-paved streets, the assurance that these rights won't be violated by someone with the necessary clout, the right to a working judicial system - the list never ends. In my mind, this is the social contract that gives the government real legitimacy. I will pledge eternal allegiance to any government that embraces this social contract.

And before I forget, I must retain the right to boot the government that's not doing a good job (not personally off course).


In short, I want a government that guarantees all citizens the tools necessary for them to reach their full potentials, to be hampered only on accord of their own will and drive. I will not pledge allegiance to any political party or movement until I am convinced that they can get the job done. For now, I will remain the apathetic abstainer from the current political scene.

I want everyone to participate in forming this social contract. If you have ideas or suggestions or interjections, please send post them. Together, we can build the Book of Citizen Demands, and then wait patiently for the first glimmer of hope that any of the participants in the political scene will pick up on this country manual and work diligently towards fulfilling it.

The way it looks right now, we will have to have a lot of patience.

But then again, patience is all we've ever had.

Mubarak's caricature courtesy of http://www.opdebeeck.com/.

MBA Applications

Well... the worst over!
After a month of being pre-occupied day and night with my college applications.. I am done with most of them. Off course, MIT still remains, but now I think I've gotten the hang of it.

What an experience!

In addition to having to recall everything that I've been doing in the past few years, the applications have been a chance for me to reflect. Last year was a year of transformation for me... On an ideological as well as professional basis. I have a clear plan for what I will be doing, as well as auxiliary plans in case the master plan fails (chances of acceptance: 0.001%). But the applications really got me to review and think about if I am going in the right direction. Is my life supposed to be like I am planning it? The best thing I got out of the experience is that I am not more certain than ever that this should be my next move. All we can do now is cross our fingers!
Thanks AbdelRahman for putting up with this... I promise Gawab free consultancy if I do make it!