Cairo turmoil.

The Man in the News.

I am sad and sorry it had to happen. I was in Cairo and Alexandria twice and I had expected the bomb would explode anytime. Cairo city is definitely overpopulated. Beyond my belief, there are about a million people living on top of an old graveyard. I just cannot imagine why the Government does not do anything providing ample housing for the illegal (or legal?) squatters. I woke up at 0300 hours in the morning, looked out from the Hotel room and there were people loitering aimlessly along the street at the wee hour of the morning.

Lady Peddlars.

At any place of tourist’s attraction, Peddlers haggle around. They never let you go. At the Mosque, someone would take care of your shoes but with a fee. The Nile is abundant of water but at the Restaurants, the mineral water is an additional charge. I always remember Cairo mango juice, even better than the Indian Alphonso. Travelling on the elevated highway, I was in two different worlds, the poverty and the wealthy dwelling side by side.

Bread by the roadside.

Peugot 504 and Fiat 128 are already extinct in Malaysia but in Cairo, these models still running around as Taxis. I wonder whether these two models of cars that I used to possess before had been shipped to Cairo converted as one of the ramshackle Taxis. Horses and mules still carrying goods around town. The streets are always jam packed and the honking of the horns deafens my ears. Public Toilets are always guarded, no money no pee. At one of the R & R along Cairo/ Alexandria they charged for in and out. I nearly mummified the Egyptian.

Donkey driven cart.

Tourists just come to Cairo and Alexandria and Hosni Mubarak does not have to campaign for Visit Egypt Year. It is GOD blesses country where money flows in constantly from the outside world. The world wants to see the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Mummies, Luxor, Aswan Dam and the mighty Nile. The Al Azhar University in Cairo which started as a Mardassah was founded in 970 – 972 AD is the most prestigious University in the Muslim world. Top of the Malaysian Muslims tourist’s itinerary is the visit to the Tomb of Imam Shafie. The historical heritage of Egypt goes back to the days in memorial. The Pyramids baffled Historian, Architect, Engineers, Mathematicians and me. Watching the belly dancers during dinner cruises by the Nile is an interesting clean entertainment. Probably the “dangdut” twist and shaking started from this part of the world. Alexandria – the first Library in history, the Harem Garden Palace of King Farouk and the Mediterranean Sea which separate Africa and Europe. It is a beautiful country depending where you are. Along Cairo to Alexandria they still have open desert and fertile agricultural lands.

Al Azhar University.

King Farouk Harem Palace at Alexandria.

It is now chaotic with one million Protestors on the street demanding for Hosni Mubarak to step down and flee the country. Our students in Cairo and Alexandria are interrupted and misplaced. The parents back home are worried. I am worried about Tengku Liza who just went to Alexandria to do her Medic. Prof. Dr Nor Ghani told me his two daughters are safe. I am following CNN, BBC and Aljazeera closely and getting the live update of the situation. I laud Najib’s idea of evacuating the Malaysian students by our Naval vessels patrolling the Red Sea and dispatching our three (3) Hercules. Let’s forget about the Somalian pirates for the time being. The safety of our students is of prime importance.

Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria.

Assuming Mubarak step down and leave the country, who will take over? No one can transform Egypt overnight. Then the people will go back to the street again. As it is, Egypt is already paralyzed and billions are wasted just because of one or two million people cheesed of with Hosni Mubarak. My biggest fear is the domino effect to the other Middle Eastern countries and that give the passport for the Israelis to walk in. Now you all know why the Americans are against Iran having nuclear weapons? That is the obvious reason why Malaysian government condones street demonstration.

My opinion - Hosni Mubarak should go, high time after thirty (30) years in power but give him a time frame to find the Successor. He now knows that some Egyptians had stage an uprising and a clear signal to him to vacate the Presidential Palace. In the meantime I beg the some “uncivilized” Egyptians not to destroy the Museums and the other Historical Heritage. Let it remain there for the grandchildren and the great grandchildren of the world to see.