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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 November 1999 Issue No. 455 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 November 1999 Issue No. 455
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Books Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Idle activists
By Fatemah FaragThe student union elections held on 2 November have elicited little more than a yawn, if indeed they were noticed at all. The glory days of campus politics have long since passed, or so it would seem.
But first the facts. Some 2,070 students nominated themselves for the council of the Cairo University Union, which is made up of six committees, each committee comprising two representatives from each faculty for each school year. Seats went uncontested in many faculties, including those of commerce, antiquities and veterinary medicine.
"See how many faculties actually have no elections? How then can the administration be accused of interfering?" asked Hamed Taher, Cairo University's vice-president for education and student affairs.
Prior to the election date some 400 student candidates had been disqualified by the administration. In a demonstration by about 1,000 students ahead of election time, the protesters claimed that the candidates had been disqualified because they were sympathisers with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
"This is not true and I have proof," retorted Taher. "In the Faculty of Arabic Language and Religion, whose council is controlled by the Islamists, only one candidate out of 186 was disqualified."
Any disqualifications, he complained, were for legitimate reasons. "The only reason anyone was disqualified was because they had been penalised in the past. For example, playing truant by jumping over the campus fence is against regulations. An investigation is usually made and the offending student is punished for doing so. Students then forget they have committed these offences and nominate themselves. We must ensure that candidates are the best students because union members are leadership figures."
On election day, a long row of riot police trucks took up positions along the main arteries leading to the university campus. Black-uniformed policemen held on to their bayonets as the traffic crept slowly past. On campus, the atmosphere was of a pleasant autumn morning with groups of students socialising and enjoying the breeze. Why the precaution then? "We are living in a time when any small incident can be misconstrued," said Taha. "That is why we must maintain security, but that does not mean we are muzzling freedoms".
The university administration has affirmed repeatedly that there are no restrictions on political freedoms on campus. "Simply, clearly and in all honesty, political activity at the university is permissible. What we reject," added Taha, "is the activity of political parties on campus".
The demise of Muslim Brotherhood influence on campus in the past few years may indicate otherwise, however. This year, none of the pre-election meetings organised by pro-Brotherhood students attracted more than 1,000. "They are noticeably weaker and there was an obvious absence of political slogans. Instead, their posters voiced general Islamic themes, urging women to adopt the hijab for instance," explained one student activist who preferred to remain anonymous.
Of course, the weakness of the Brotherhood on campus may simply be a reflection of the state of the group outside the university gates. Others, though, think this too simple an explanation.
"We think there are several reasons," said Fathi, a student close to Brotherhood circles on campus. "First, the pre-emptive strikes launched by security forces during the summer vacation. The summer camps hosted by the group played a key role in organising their ranks in preparation for the academic year. I have been told that, as a result of action by security forces, the activities of these camps are at a total standstill."
Fathi also argued that support for pro-Brotherhood students came mainly from students from the provinces. "But the number of these has dropped noticeably in the past few years for various socio-economic reasons," he added.
In general, students seem to feel that the outlawed group is incapable of offering anything viable.
Campus activists also point to other reasons. "We have noticed," said one, "that the administration has turned a blind eye to the religious Salafeyeen [reactionaries] group in order to weaken the Brotherhood. The Salafeyeen are different in that they do not promote political involvement; they have been allowed to take control of the campus mosques, depriving the Brotherhood of a crucial breeding ground."
Nor have the Nasserists and socialists been able to capitalise on the decrease in Brotherhood support. Students complain that political propaganda on campus has been severely restricted, making it difficult for any group to make its presence felt.
The only other major player is the Horus group, which has the backing of the ruling National Democratic Party [NDP]. Students complain, however, that even Horus has become complacent. "In face of a weakened Islamist trend, Horus are no longer even effective as NDP propaganda-makers and many students, too, complain that they are corrupt," said the same student activist.
There are other factors that explain the students' political apathy. For example, a large number of students now work part time in addition to pursuing their studies. "Most of my friends work either in the morning or afternoon. Usually students can find jobs as salespersons with big companies," said Ala'a.
Practically, this means that many students are hard-pressed to find the time to attend classes, let alone engage in politics.
"With students so pressed, you'll find that they are more obsessed with their personal lives, making both ends meet or falling in love," claimed Fathi.
Another possible reason behind the lull in student political activities is the increased proportion of associate students who have no access or rights to student activities under university regulations. Changes in the academic year may also have had an impact, reducing the amount of time students are required to spend on campus. "Take this term, for example," moans the disappointed activist. "We started in October and the exams are on 22 December. Everyone stays home to study a month before the exams and, besides, Ramadan is coming up. So we have had a two-month term. Next term will not be much better."
