CAIRO - Post-revolution Egypt will likely make the switch to the daylight saving summer time at midnight on the last Thursday of April by pushing the clocks ahead one hour. This period runs from Friday April 29 until the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to start on August 1 by winding the clock by one hour back. This practice, which was introduced in Egypt 1988, has been a controversial topic debated every year by both the public and traders alike. While some Egyptians are saying that the summer time has many advantages, others have called on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which has been running the country's affairs since Feb 11, to cancel it once and for all. Reda Sabri, a Cairo-based Government employee, says he wants the summer time system to remain in effect because he enjoys the extra hour of daylight in the afternoon doing outdoor household chores such as buying food stuff for his family or going out with his children and wife. Sabri adds that daylight saving time could be linked to reduced road traffic in the precincts of Cairo and enjoying the extra hour of daylight in the afternoon or evening with his children "I work during the day, and the system gives me more time to interact with my wife and children and enjoy going out with them in the afternoon, or the evening. The daylight saving time gives us a chance to participate in recreational activities, such as going out together after a long day of work," he told The Egyptian Gazette. Amin Shawqi, a factory manager, said that daylight saving time reduced electricity usage and promoted energy efficiency. In his view, the system helps conserve energy consumption as the demand for electricity and gas increases. "The extra hour in the afternoon can counter for blackouts and other electrical failures that can occur later in the day. It also lures people into spending more time out of the house, thus decreasing the need for artificial lighting, as well as the likelihood of using home electric appliances," Shawqi argues. He points out that daylight saving time has already brought a recent one-per cent reduction of electricity consumption in his spinning and weaving factory. Meanwhile, Ahmed Farid, a tourist guide, said that he believed that the daylight saving time could provide a financial boost for the tourism industry. "Changing the clocks gives an hour of extra sunlight and the tourists could spend more time at historic sites," Farid said, adding that the extra hour to the end of the day could boost outdoor activities and bring more revenues from visitors. However, some Egyptians said that they wanted the ruling military to cancel the summer time system because it added more confusion and interruption associated with their daily food habits or business activities. "Daylight saving time has a negative impact on businesses and communities," Fardoos Abdul Maqsood, a schoolteacher, said. Fardoos said that many Egyptians, specially the children, would suffer during Ramadan because they will be forced to fast one extra hour during the very hot month of August. "The faithful will have to break their fast after 7pm following a long summer day without food, or drinks," she said, demanding that the SCAF should keep the winter time for the coming 11 years. "From now until 2022, the holy fasting month of Ramadan will fall in the summer and that daylight saving time will not be in the advantage for the people," she said. Mahmoud Abul Saud, an engineer, said that the SCAF didn't realise the impact this move would have on people in Egypt. "I want Egypt to have a united time all over the year. Changing the clock adds more confusion to our daily activities and makes the Egyptians work an extra hour each day," he said, demanding that the daylight saving system be cancelled until 2022.
