The year 2012 may have witnessed events both good and bad, but no doubt these events have changed Egypt, sowing the seeds of the nation's future. By the end of 2012, Egyptians were divided into those who saw the good side of the year and others who saw the bad side. “In my opinion, 2012 was one of the worst years for Egypt," says Ahmed Abbas, 26, an accountant. “There were many crises and many innocent people died; it was a bloody year. I hope 2013 will be much better than 2012, and Egypt can develop politically and economically." One of the most tragic events of 2012 happened last February in Port Said, where at least more than 75 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured at the end of a football match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly clubs. Six months later, in August, gunmen launched a raid into southern Israel from the Sinai Peninsula, killing 16 Egyptian soldiers and stealing two armoured cars, which they used to infiltrate Israel. As for last November, that was the month of many disasters. A train in Assiut hit a school bus, leaving more than 50 children dead and dozens more injured. The Minister of Transportation resigned in the wake of this deadly accident. Just a few days later, Egypt bade farewell to a young man called Gaber Salah, known as Jika by his friends and on Facebook, who was killed by security forces during clashes between protesters and police on the first anniversary of the Mohammed Mahmoud Street incidents. Two days after the Assiut disaster, President Mohamed Morsi declared a constitutional decree, giving himself power to control everything in the country, which led to many opposition protesters demonstrating outside the Ithadia Palace. Things turned violent between them and the supporters of Morsi, with eight people killed and many more injured in the clashes. “There were many disasters in Egypt throughout 2012. Innocent people died, a lot of them children," says Myada Nagy, a housewife, 29. “I thought that, after the January 25 Revolution and the toppling of the old regime, corruption would disappear and everything in Egypt would be better. Unfortunately, our dreams have evaporated because of all these disasters. “I'm very depressed, but some good things happened too. For example, Egyptians can freely express their opinions and we're now over the most difficult stage of the transitional phase, as we have an elected president, who I hope will live up to his responsibilities." Last March, 23 candidates registered to contest the presidential elections, the second in Egypt's history with more than one candidate, the other being in 2005; they were also the first presidential elections since the January 25 Revolution. In April, the Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission (SPEC) announced the disqualification of ten candidates, leaving 13 candidates to battle it out. On June 24, the SPEC announced that Morsi, the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, had won, garnering 51.7 per cent of the vote in a run-off against Ahmed Shafiq, with 48.3 per cent. For Egyptians, it was something new to vote in free democratic presidential elections. “I think that 2012 was the beginning of Egypt's bright future, as we achieved one of the most important goals of the revolution, having an elected president," says Moustafa Halim, an engineer, 35. “Last year, Egypt saw something historic – Egyptians deciding their future themselves. Women went to vote, some of them with their small children, for the candidate whom they trusted; for me all this was an achievement in itself." Another historic achievement was the very long queues outside the polling stations, where people voted in a referendum on Egypt's new Constitution on December 15 and 22, after being approved by the Constituent Assembly on November 30. Supporters of the draft Constitution argued that it would provide stability. Most of its opponents argued that it favoured the Muslim Brotherhood, and did not grant sufficient minority rights. Of those who voted, 63.8 per cent were in favour, 36.2 per cent against. “Thank-you to 2012 for giving Egypt an elected president and constitution and marking the beginning of a glorious future," says Ola Mohamed, a teacher, 36. “I considered 2012 to be one of the most important years in Egypt's history, as many of the revolution's goals were achieved; I hope Egypt and its President will achieve more." Whatever might have happened last year, all the Egyptians, whether optimistic or pessimistic, are dearly wishing that this year will be a happier one.
