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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 January 2000 Issue No. 465 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 January 2000 Issue No. 465
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Shared horizons
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Sir- I was impressed by "A common history" by Ibrahim Nafie (Al-Ahram Weekly, 6-12 January 2000). As a regular reader of the Weekly and a Sudanese from Southern Sudan, I felt compelled to react to the article.
I came to Egypt on a scholarship granted by the government of Egypt to help rehabilitate the then war-torn South following the Addis Ababa Accord of 1973. Many developments followed and, although the agreement ceased to exist, the Egyptian scholarship programme continued to help Southern Sudanese.
Those of us who remained in Egypt came to understand and indeed support the Egyptian commitment to maintaining Sudan's territorial integrity. I, for one, believe that we share a common destiny and that we should join hands for security in the Nile Valley.
Ywomo Daniel
Cairo UniversityPapering the rift
Sir- The recent clashes between Copts and Muslims in Sohag raise serious fears about future relations between the two elements of the nation. As usual, we will pretend there is nothing wrong and hope that things soon return to normal. Mob violence against Christians and their property was beyond description. The incidents resulted in widespread damage to Christian property.
One can easily predict the course of events following these sectarian clashes. Muslim and Christian clerics will hurry to condemn any attempt to harm the national unity of the country. Writers and intellectuals will assert that Copts are an integral part of the "national fabric" and in no way discriminated against. The mass media will convince the public that what happened was an isolated incident that will not affect the long-standing and strong relationship between Muslims and Copts. The commotion will suddenly come to an end and the status quo will prevail until further clashes break out and so on.
Is there a way out of this impasse? Certainly. Schools and religious establishments can play a pivotal role in eliminating tension between Muslims and Copts. School textbooks must be revised to eliminate any denunciation of Christian beliefs. We have to teach young children, both Muslims and Copts, how to be tolerant and accept each other. Any form of discrimination against Copts must be abolished.
Essam Hanna Wahba
AssiutParty people
Sir- I came to Cairo from Los Angeles for the millennium celebration. It was worth the 30 hours' round trip flying time it took to make it. I was not expecting as much as what I got. It was the most spectacular show I have ever seen.
My husband, who is Egyptian and was already in Cairo on business, is not easily impressed, but he was surprised and excited by the display. Both of us were not particularly that crazy about the singer paying homage to Umm Kulthoum, but she was very good nonetheless.
Having been to Egypt many times, I am always amazed at the changes and improvements. What really makes me laugh is that I live in Hollywood, California, the "entertainment capital of the world", and the show there was very poor indeed. The only thing done was to light up the Hollywood sign. No fireworks or laser lights. I think I made the right choice for New Year's Eve.
Carole Talaway
Los Angeles, CA
