Hani Al-Meseiri: The controversial governor Hani Al-Meseiri, Alexandria's young, athletic and handsome governor, has been a controversial character ever since he took the post early this year. This week he was praised for organising the longest iftar table in history — worthy of the Guinness Book of World Records — but at the same time he was criticised for failing to organise the event properly. The food was late and when it came people rushed to take it, wrecking havok. All blame was heaped on Al-Meseiri. Given his education abroad, his broad experience in management, hope that Alexandria would improve had been pinned on Al-Meseiri, but there remains major problems that he has failed to deal with or resolve, including sewerage and garbage. Al-Meseiri has said that the governorate is currently considering projects to recycle garbage or transform it into fuel. Though he hails from a big family that has lived in Alexandria for generations, Al-Meseiri is a graduate of the University of California. He has a masters degree in business from the University of Alexandria in collaboration with George Washington University. He worked in several managerial positions in big companies and in a US bank before being appointed governor. However, this background has not always worked in his favour as some blame him for failing to feel for the poor.
“30 June Revolution saved Egypt from a dark future but it has not yet provided a plan to achieve the aims of two revolutions — one that would offer a new and comprehensive economic vision rather than reproducing the pre-January 2011 status quo as if nothing happened.” Hani Raslan, Al-Masry Al-Youm A scenario for division “It is not no longer acceptable after what happened in Kuwait, in Sousse, Tunisia and in France, not to mention Somalia, that the international community should merely condemn such cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent people. It must draw up a clear plan to uproot terrorism and prevent the recruitment of more misled people by terrorist groups.” Al-Ahram “Terrorism is one of the main tools now being used to implement the scenario of dividing the Arab region. Thus, we should see what happened on Friday in Kuwait and Tunisia in the light of this scenario.” Al-Youm Al-Sabei “It is worth noting that these acts took place on the same day as European leaders were meeting in Brussels to draw a plan to confront ISIS and prevent it from recruiting more youth from Europe. ISIS succeeded in delivering a message because the French president had to immediately leave the meeting and return to his country.” Emadeddin Adib, Al-Watan The culture of begging? “As soon as the Holy Month of Ramadan arrives, the charity societies direct all their efforts to collecting as many donations as possible. While I acknowledge the important role of some of these societies, compensating for the absence of government input, their campaigns to collect donations are linked to the noticeable spread of the culture of begging in society. Begging is a phenomenon that has recently spread and become more welcome by wider sectors of society. It has become a kind of business in a society that tends to make business out of everything.” Wahid Abdel-Meguid, Al-Masry Al-Youm Unjust violations “It is extremely positive that the president should mention those who are unjustly jailed. But does he know that they include students who were deprived of sitting for their exams or expelled from their universites? Does anyone inform him of the reports written by the National Council for Human Rights (established after 3 July 2013) or about the violations that take place in prisons?” Ayman Al-Sayyad, Al-Shorouk Egyptian Essence: The normal standards sevenfold “Ramadan is the biggest season for the advertisement industry in Egypt. Advertisement agencies consider it their chance to make huge profits and make up for their year-long losses. Though there are world standards for ads, namely that they should not exceed 10-15 per cent of the time of a media production, this year the time given to ads is seven times the accepted standard!” Al-Ahram Facebook “Why should we focus on a fight that took place along 30 metres of a four-km long table that provided iftar and will be included in the Guinness Book of World Records? Congratulations to the people of Alexandria and its hard-working governor.” Elham Rahim “I was an eyewitness. I went with my family to the iftar banquet. All families were happy and taking pictures of the event. On the other side of the table, the food was late. When the food arrived people started to run to the truck that was carrying it, shouting. When the driver saw the people, he was scared and drove away. I would have the same feeling in his place. People chased him and it was this that caused the pandemonium. The four-km table was a success with the exception of 150 metres. Why should the governor of Alexandria be held responsible for this? He is a respectable and ambitious man.” Mustafa Al-Dakkak Twitter Brookings @BrookingsInst Yesterday's attacks in Kuwait, France, Syria & Tunisia underline the especially violent times we now live in. TheAmazingKafir @muayfarang555 While they scream terrorism has nothing to do with Islam, many more attacks like #Kuwait#Tunisia and #Lyon WILL happen. Fr. Marc @frlydensmith I've been sickened by the attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait. Praying for an end to the horrors of terrorism in our world. #Peace Max Fisher @Max_Fisher A day of global terror: Are today's attacks the beginning of a new era in terrorism? marlyn @virtualactivism Tunisia prime minister 2 shut mosques inciting terrorism as ISIL claims attack If this was in Egypt, world would cried ‘anti-democracy'.
