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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Speaker signs
By Mona El-NahhasIn the working class district of Sayeda Zeinab, candidates are rolling up their sleeves, pressing the flesh and joining all kinds of social occasions, including weddings. They and their supporters map out strategy in the famed cafes of Zein Al-Abidin. In a district which includes several near slums -- Qalaat Al-Qabsh and Hadayeq Zeinhom, among others -- people are pinning high hopes on a more upgraded infrastructure, to be translated into a better life. Consequently, how to develop slum areas tops the list of candidate agendas -- and promises.
Sayeda Zeinab square and the main streets are plastered with a huge number of posters and banners. "I did not pay a piastre for these banners," says Fathi Sorour, speaker of the People's Assembly who is running for the professionals' seat in a re-election bid. "It was the people of Sayeda Zeinab who volunteered for the job."
Most posters are of Sorour, speaker for 10 years, and to a lesser extent Said El-Guyoushi, his NDP ally, who is aiming for the workers' seat.
Wafdist Mursi El-Sheikh, who is running against Sorour for the professionals' seat, is unimpressed by the poster campaign. "The people of Sayeda Zeinab have nothing to do with these banners. This is the work of corrupt businessmen, thugs and drug dealers who stand behind Sorour in return for his protection."
El-Sheikh, speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, claimed that Sayeda Zeinab had turned into a "den for thugs," alleging further that he is attacked by Sorour's men at every rally he has attempted to organise. "Sometimes they even attacked me in the presence of policemen. I filed several complaints with the Sayeda Zeinab police station. Yet nothing was done," he said.
El-Sheikh believes that Sorour would not get even 10 per cent of the vote. "Those who back him do not reside in Sayeda Zeinab. They are either employees at the People's Assembly or people with certain interests."
El-Sheikh ran against Sorour in the 1990 and 1995 elections, losing both times. This time, he believes, the situation is different and so, too, will be the outcome because of judicial supervision over the ballot.
El-Sheikh, however, does not exclude the possibility of violence on election day. "I sent two telegrams to President [Hosni] Mubarak and the interior minister, urging them to put an end to the deteriorating situation here," he said.
If he wins at the polls, El-Sheikh's first priority will be "to restore order and stability to the area and remove thugs and hooligans from its streets."
Sorour is brimming over with confidence and certain of the support he will receive from businessmen and merchants who show apparent preference for an influential figure rather than an opposition candidate. A quick poll of low-income residents found Sorour the better man for the job. "Of course I'll vote for Sorour," said Mohamed Abdel-Dayem, owner of a garment store. "He's our man. His services to the area are countless." Abdel-Hakim Ayesh believes Sorour will win hands down. "I cannot imagine him losing."
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