CAIRO: The Ministry of Interior recently issued a decree that requires citizens to renew their national ID cards every seven years, a decision that drew mixed reactions. The decree, to be put into effect starting January 2009, aims to update information on IDs such as addresses, jobs and marital status. Many criticized the decision, accusing the government of wanting to collect money, saying that the sheer number of Egyptians renewing their ID would translate into a large sum of money for the government. Those who saw no point in renewing a national ID said the process would just be an added inconvenience. Others, however, said the decision is overdue. "I have always criticized the fact that IDs don't expire, it didn't make sense not to [have this decree], Kamal Hammad, sales representative in a local company, told Daily News Egypt. "I, for instance, have changed my job twice since I issued my ID four years ago, he added. According to Fawqiya, housewife and mother of two, this decision might be beneficial especially to women. "It is a good call, people need to update their information on their IDs, especially divorced or widowed women, who need to change their marital status, she explained. Others have other reasons behind supporting the decree. "I lost my ID a year ago, so it's good that I will get a new one because I hated my old picture, Tamer, 22, said. Om Saed, 61, doesn't seem to share the same enthusiasm for the new decree. She recalls the hectic day she issued her ID for the first time. "It was so crowded ... I am a senior citizen now and it is a hassle to be their in person [to renew my ID] instead of sending one of my children, she explained. Last summer, the Ministry of Interior announced adding a new "smart chip to all national IDs as an alternative to the bar code system that is currently being used. The new smart chip will include information about driving licenses, passports, ration cards, and medical cards.
