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Al-Ahram Weekly 6 - 12 January 2000 Issue No. 463 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 6 - 12 January 2000 Issue No. 463
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Heritage Millennium Features Profile Living Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Millennium hug
By Mohamed El-Sayed Said *
For just a second on 31 December, our eyes met. Mine were full of fear and confusion: a virus had just attacked my computer, causing a good part of my new book to vanish. Hers were shy but demanded sympathy.
"Poor Fatma", as the people in our neighbourhood call her, works to feed a family of four. They have lived in a single room ever since her husband deserted them a few years ago.
What could possibly be the motive for a person to send out a virus that will destroy millions of documents in personal computers around the world? Fatma's eyes seemed to give me the answer. Could the motive not be revenge? A look can be a cry for help, a request for sympathy, a howl of despair; but today, in our society, which was once so united you could not distinguish its constituent parts, it has become common to disregard the suffering of others.
Egyptian society is riven by huge and increasing inequalities in the distribution of wealth, health, education, employment, power and life opportunities. Its poorest, most helpless members are suffering from the worst virus of all: the lack of love and affection.
If one of Fatma's children ever makes it to university, he will have to decide how to put his intelligence to use. What will he do with his mind? His experience will answer the question for him. If he receives nurturing and affection, he will put his mind to endeavours that will benefit humanity. If he encounters only contempt and derision, he will seek revenge.
As we enter the new millennium, we need to restore love and care to this society, and to modernise institutions of assistance and solidarity. We need to help each other, before it is too late.
* This week's Soapbox speaker is deputy director of the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.
