Mr. President Obama: Welcome to Egypt. I recommend you visit your embassy in Garden City before starting your busy business agenda here in Cairo. The reason for this is that the embassy has closed off the streets around it; becoming a symbol of hatred whilst carrying a siege mentality. We would like for you too see what the Egyptians must go through when traveling close to the American Embassy. I, myself, have been a victim of such dramatic behavior. I was in Cairo a few weeks ago and passed by the US embassy on my way to another place . As soon as I approached the surrounding area I was asked to show my identification papers as if I was in the military. I asked him the reasons for this inspection, which included many hostile questions, and he replied with: "You are passing through the US embassy street." Upon leaving I cursed the embassy as I saw this as an insult to the Egyptian citizens as we are unable to walk the streets freely in this area, an area of our own country, because of the presence of the American Embassy. Even if one sees hope in the United States their views will quickly change once they see the intricacies and experience the tough security measures that are on the streets surrounding the American Embassy in Cairo; they too will curse America. Even if the United States believe that Egyptians hate their country to the extent that they find it necessary to build a fortress around their embassy for protection, the question which arises from this assumption is: 'Why, then, insist on the existence of an embassy in a country that hates America to that extent?' I believe that the Egyptians do not hate Americans nor do they hate any other nationality; irrespective of various campaign incitements by groups that want to build a barrier of hate. Egyptian people are not inclined by nature to feel hatred or rejection towards others. However, there are diplomats and employees of America, in Egypt, who specialize in the industry of hatred and fear, security and sometimes racism.
If the US embassy insists on remaining in Cairo in this odious form, let it move to the desert so that the people are not exposed to such insults. This behavior is based on suspicion and mistrust. The result of this level of security prohibits the Egyptians and the Americans to build a good relationship between citizens and rather creates a foundations for antagonism and hatred. It is said to be believed that the fundamental value, which the United States is based upon, is that each person in America is equal regardless of race, religion, sex and associations. What the American institutions practice in Egypt is contradictory to such values and ideals. The American Cultural Institute, for example, is not open to the general public and the American University in Cairo Library is only available for use by the University's graduates. If an Egyptian wants to enter this facility he must pay in dollars. In 1982 I tried to go into the library of the American University. Before entering the building they asked me to pay the membership fee of thirty dollars. At the time this amount was equal to two months' salary. Since that day I have not set foot in the American University.
If the university operates with the same laws as in Cairo, be it in Washington or any American city, I would have filed a case against it for discrimination and rendered it bankrupt; closing its' doors. Mr. President Obama: I lived in America for more than twenty years. I studied and worked in leading universities and I know America well. However, America in Cairo is vastly different to what I know about America in general. America in Cairo is for the American elites, corrupt American businessmen and American racism. As for the America I know it is full of American hard workers who want to achieve their dream of a decent life. This is the phrase written at the entrance to Ellis Island, an island for migrants, making it the first thing they read. The promise it withholds is to allow for the achievement of dreams and respect the ambitions of everyone. So why is America in Cairo a symbol of class and racism, while America at home has all its citizens living under the banner of justice, equality and the rule of law? Mr. President Obama: Your speech for the Islamic world was focused on major issues; we must not lose sight of the micro-practices of American institutions and cultural diplomacy when working in the Islamic world. It is shameful that the embassies of the United States are built as fortresses and fortified against the people of the countries that host them. It is also shameful that the American University in Cairo is based on region and class discrimination. You have a rare opportunity to change America's image in the Islamic world. Start with the American embassy in Cairo; either completely close it, remove the high security that provokes nothing but hatred or move it to the desert. Please accept my full respect.
