CAIRO - Because of the security vacuum since the January 25 Revolution, chaos and lawlessness have become rife in Egypt. Many Egyptians are suffering from unemployment, depression, bankruptcy, illness, serious financial losses and lack of medical care. All these things affect people's ethical behaviour and the world is taking heed. “The streets have become chaotic. Motorists drive too fast, often in the wrong direction and they regularly start fighting, sometimes for no reason at all. There are often fights on public transport too,” says Samia el-Gendi, a professor of sociology at Al-Azhar University. “Today, there is more violence and less respect for the law. Restoring security and law enforcement should be the number one priority. “Young people today lack moral values. They carry weapons and force pedestrians to give them their money. The police must stop this.” “After thirty years of a corrupt and tyrannical dictatorship, the people want freedom and a better future for their children. But some people are expressing their opinions in a wrong, violent way,” says Mohamed Badr Eddin, the head of political sciences department in the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences. He adds that the old regime is to blame for the corruption and bad management which have led to this. “The increase in violence since last year's revolution is due to a perceived absence of social justice under the old regime, which denied the poor their rights. Long years of injustice and suppression are to blame for all the problems that we're seeing now. “I hope this crisis will end and stability returns to this nation,” he adds. “These days, we see criminals robbing shops and banks, and attacking hospitals and other public institutions, as well as stealing cars,” says Ahmed Yehia, a professor of sociology in the Faculty of Arts at Helwan University. “These thugs must be punished. During last year's revolution, millions of people formed vigilante committees to protect their homes and families. “We saw the Egyptian people at their best, but now, one year on, in the absence of security, society is going downhill. “This chaos is not something we normally associate with Egyptians. It is the work of a tiny criminal minority, who are the real enemies of the public and the revolution.” He adds that this immorality is also the result of negligence and the lack of security, while some people are deliberately trying to cause more chaos and stymie the peaceful transfer of power. “All this negative behaviour is the result of long years of education and medical care being neglected in rural areas, while the poor have been repressed. No-one care about their dignity or rights,” stresses Omar Abdel-Galeel, a psychology expert. “The behaviour of Egyptians has changed. They must respect the law and political institutions, and not destroy public hospitals and institutions,” he adds. “The way people behave in the street is very dangerous, threatening the public's safety. The problem is that they've lost their religious motivation,” says Hamed Abu Taleb, who works at the Islamic Research Institution. “Unemployment and illiteracy, especially in popular districts, are to blame as well. The mass media also contribute to people's immoral behaviour, for example by broadcasting deadly violence at a football match. The media need reforming.” Abu Taleb urges people to stop this violent behaviour, adding that the police must deal firmly with the thugs and thieves. “I want men of religion to purify people's hearts, souls and morals; instill morals and the principles of religion in their souls; and tell them to behave, so that peace and stability return to Egypt,” he adds.
