The merciless Egyptian sarcasm got in gear immediately after Mahfouz Saber, the ex-Minister of Justice left his post, producing a very meaningful joke. A person asks a rubbish collector "why don't you pick-up the rubbish? The collector answers, "Sorry sir, but we only collect ministers." The Minister's farce ended soon after he made his racist remarks. Some perceive his words to be a reflection of reality, not only for the sons of rubbish collectors, but for all the sons of poor families. However, his ‘resignation' is not really one, but rather the dismissal of a Minister who put the government in a very critical position. Two weeks ago, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi received a General Security report which he is keen on reading every morning. The situation involving the Justice minister caught his attention, so he asked for the complete script of the latter's appearance on television. He then asked for another report on the public's and the media's reactions to the Talk Show. After reading all reports, he made a phone call to Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, who was in Paris at the time, and asked him to put an end to the problem. The situation was dealt with by the Minister presenting his resignation. This incident reveals several things, the first being that the time when a president was deaf to the voices on the streets is over. Al Sisi was aware that the public opinion had the right to react to the minister's utterances the way it did and immediately took action. The President deserves to be thanked for his expediency. However, some may say that it was only normal, and that no thanks were due, yet I say that it had never been the norm before. Many ministers made mistakes during Mubarak's time, but no one ever dared approach them. Many ministers messed up completely during Mohamed Morsi's time and had the public opinion against them, but the President still firmly held to his position declaring that their honor was his. We now have a President who considers the honor of the people as his own and doesn't suffer any prejudice against them. His action in this matter is undoubtedly a huge qualitative leap showing the new philosophy adopted in Egypt's governance. But several questions do remain: what will happen after dismissing the Minister of Justice? Did this happen because he insulted the public? Does that imply that insulting the public will cease? Will the son of a garbage collector ever become a judge? Will this incident, that has stirred the stagnant waters, end this dilemma? It is quite probable that nothing will happen; they have dismissed the Minister, but the status quo is still very much in vigor. President Sisi should end the era of social injustice once and for all. The criteria for choosing state officials in sovereign institutions should be impartial. The sons of the poor and the needy should not be penalized for their social status. The only criteria should be what a citizen can contribute to this nation, which is in dire need of competent labor. Do not be overjoyed by the minister's dismissal. More in-depth work and reforms are long overdue so that everyone is given his rights in this society. Injustice can make people lose hope in their country, and this country cannot take any more skepticism about its importance, value or reasons for existing.
