Shell invests in Mina West gas development in Egyptian Mediterranean Sea    Egypt's FM highlights 'soft power' in Mali meeting with alumni    Egypt's foreign minister opens business forum in Niger, targets new partnerships    Egypt's FM delivers Al-Sisi message to Niger's leader, seeks deeper security ties    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



From Hassan Farouz to Barack Obama
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 03 - 06 - 2009

Every morning the boy at the newsstand, Hassan Farouz, hands me my usual newspapers.  But the most important thing is, is that Hassan then involves me in a brief chat as he comments on the important news of the day.
Before I come to see him in the morning, Hassan has already read through the newspapers and selects the ones he believes I will enjoy reading; the ones that contain important news that I should not miss. Usually I agree with his choices because he has shown consistency in providing me with the best ones.
Hassan's compass is set quite good to the pulse of the Egyptian street.   The more I contemplate and listen to his brief comments on the current news, the more I find that his grasp on these events is usually better than what is written in the article.
 
Last week, the headline on most newspapers was in regards to the death sentence of Hisham Talaat Mustafa and Mohsen Alsukari.  That morning Hassan did not talk to me about the ruling or the accused, not even about the controversial circumstances of the case or the details everyone was concerned with.
Instead, as soon as he saw me he asked me, "Dr. I wonder with all that money spent on Suzanne Tamim, and her murder, how many hospitals and schools could have been built instead?"
He left before I could answer.  For Hassan this is the norm.  He is a fast mover and involves you in his thoughts and dreams whilst he continues to run towards other customers.  Or he heads off on his bicycle straight away without waiting for your comment, as if to say that he is simply just delivering a message.  From time to time I used to listen attentively to his swift observations and explore his mind.
Last week I asked Hassan about his thoughts on Obama's visit to Cairo; I mentioned his speech to the Islamic world. The first thing that attracted my attention was Hannan's lack of interest and response to the subject, which in itself was extremely interesting and I therefore reflect upon its significance.
I persisted to nag him on the subject in order to obtain a response.  Eventually, Hassan said quietly "Welcome" and then remained silent!
Curiosity took a hold of me where by I decided to ask him about specifics such as; "What do you want to hear from Obama?", "What do you want to hear in his speech for example?", "What is it that Obama could say that would make you happy?"  This time Hassan replied immediately, "I want a confirmation that their policies will change."
He went on to give me one example after another of what we call double standard and brute force; "Is it Halal (allowed) for Isreal to have nuclear weapons and haram (forbidden) for Muslims to have such weapons? Also, they should stop helping Israel kill people. Enough with the devastation and destruction! This is not just in Iraq, but in many other places."
My attention was drawn to the expression on Hassan's face after he let go and told me all this. Perhaps he was puzzled by my question or my persistence on this issue, as he advised me to stop writing about these topics and asked me to write about more important things. But rather than respond to his advice I decided to include him in the discussions of the topics I write about!
 
After this conversation Hassan left and I reviewed his words remembering what I had written in previous articles about Obama's visit whilst also reflecting on the articles of other writers. So I said to myself, Hassan is right.
 The issue is very simple and boils down to two very clear things. First of all, 'Welcome to the land of Egypt,' immediately followed by - as Hassan said – 'we want a confirmation that your policies will change and not just your speeches.'


Clic here to read the story from its source.