Egyptian handicrafts have been strongly affected by the recession that hit Egypt's tourism sector over the past four months. The heavy hit to Egypt's tourism threatens the extinction of the handicraft trades. The craftsmen whose livelihoods stand in the balance accuse the January 25 Revolution of destroying the vital sector, expanding the extent of unemployment among workers in tourism. Some craftsmen, who fully depend on tourists, insist on working in the same career despite tourism suspension to protect it. Khaled Ahmed, one of the craftsmen, said, "I'm working everyday to fight against the career's extinction." He expressed his frustration that he was working before in front of more than 40 tourist groups who watched him draw and decorate pots and antiques, while now he spends an entire day decorating only one antique. Ahmed highlighted that those who can decorate the tourist commodities are very few because such a career doesn't bring instant profits. He warned of fully depending on Chinese goods. He said such dependency would affect Egyptians' ability to express their civilization. Magid Saad, the owner of a shop in Cairo's famous Khan al-Khalili bazaar, said the bad conditions prompted him to lay off four skilled laborers. He said, "Although one of the labors insisted on continuing with me without a wage, I refused to open the door for him so he can find another place of work to meet the needs of his family." Mohamed Ibrahim, a craftsman in a bazaar in al-Moez Street, said, "I inherited the craft from my father. I love this career and I insist on working in it despite the suspension of tourism. I hope that the officials will focus on the handicrafts which face the danger of extinction." Ibrahim confirmed that the career raises the admiration of Egypt's guests and attracts them to see the craftsmen during decorating the goods.
