PORT SAID - A fortnight ago, Port Said, the coastal city at the Suez Canal's northern entrance, was like most Egyptian cities where people strive to make a living in austere economic circumstances. But ever since the tragic incident that took place in the town's stadium after a national league soccer match between the host team Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, the entire city has been suffering from insult and injury. The loss of more than 74 innocent souls and the injury of hundreds on the pitch have isolated the city and its people almost entirely from other governorates. The angry reaction of Egyptians, who partially blame the people of Port Said for the violent acts of hooliganism, has stood in the way of regular movements of locals and merchandise in and out of Port Said. While the people of Port Said felt shunned by the nation, outsiders were reportedly denied access to the town by deliberate acts of thuggery. Observers said the tug-of-war was fomented by rumours that brought commercial activities to a standstill. The city has been shrouded in sorrow, not only because of the deadly clashes, but also because of the implied condemnation of its citizens, who have the reputation of being ‘dauntless', thanks to their great role in the tripartite assault of the 1956 and 1967 wars. El-Badri Farghali, a Member of Parliament for Port Said, blames the media, particularly some satellite sports channels, for fanning the flames. “In Cairo, they treated me as if I was personally responsible for the death of 73 Egyptians,” he told Rosa el-Yussef Arabic magazine in dismay. Banners hang everywhere in Port Said, reading ‘Reveal the Truth...Port Said is Innocent' or ‘It Was a Mean Conspiracy', in clear accusation of the security forces for their incompetence and/or involvement (yet to be disclosed by investigations). The accusations are also directed at remnants of the old regime, usually referred to as ‘the third party'. Inter-governorate taxi and microbus drivers in Port Said have been most affected by the tragic incident's repercussions. They say they have been out of work for almost ten days, not to mention the insults they suffer, if they have the courage to drive to a neighbouring governorate. The stagnation has left its shadows on coffee shops that cater for drivers and passengers in the vicinity of the taxi parking lot. However, in a bid to redress the situation, a delegation from Al-Azhar, the highest seat of Sunni learning, representatives of preachers and several Islamic societies and MPs of six governorates, took action earlier this week. They visited the suffering city to express their support and advocate the unity of all Egyptians against plots to divide them. The Armed Forces supplied the city with food by plane to bridge the gap resulting from the suspension of trade. The Army also improved the security on roads leading to Port Said, in an attempt to restore normal transport activities in an out of the city. The people of Port Said heaved a sigh of relief, but like most Egyptians they are waiting for the results of investigations into the massacre, so that the actual perpetrators can be duly punished.
