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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 Finding an MP -- when you need him
By Dena RashedLike other districts in the capital and elsewhere in Egypt, the overcrowded streets of Imbaba are filled with banners and posters in support of numerous candidates. A few of them are known to Imbaba's residents, many of whom are immigrants who came to Cairo during recent decades. They now make up one Cairo's largest shantytowns. Only after thousands of police led a massive clampdown against Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiya here in 1992 did local authorities start giving the district the attention it needs. A new sewage system, new roads and light posts have since been introduced. Local services remain the key electoral issue in Imbaba.
As with other NDP candidates, Ismail Hilal, Imbaba's MP for the past five years, claims he is the best able to provide the much needed services because -- as he succinctly put it -- "the NDP is the government and the government is the NDP." However, leaflets distributed against Hilal by his opponents pointed to the fact that he was recently promoted to fill a post at the ministry of electricity in Ismailia, implying that he may not be around in the constituency even if he is elected.
Hilal countered that Ismailia was a mere one-hour drive from Cairo.
Hilal's main competitor for the professionals' seat comes from Hagg Surour El-Sabahi, who lives in Imbaba and owns a famous clothes shop there. He maintains a high profile in the neighbourhood, and is also owner of the many kiosks in Imbaba's streets. "He is a man of charity, he lives with us and we will find him when we need him," remarked Zeinhom Ibrahim, a resident.
Meanwhile, and in what may turn out later to have been an intentional tactic, there are almost no signs reminding Imbaba residents to vote in favour of the Muslim Brotherhood candidate for the professionals' seat, Ali Abdel-Hamid. However, a resident of Al-Mounira Al-Gharbiya in Imbaba claimed that Abdel-Hamid's opponents had been tearing down his posters, bearing the Brotherhood's well-known slogan "Islam is the solution."
In many other districts where Brotherhood candidates were running, they intentionally ran a low-key campaign in order to avoid a possible police clampdown. Yet it is known that the Brotherhood is exceptionally good at mobilising supporters on voting day, which leaves the door open for possible surprises.
Opposition parties, mainly the Wafd and the leftist Tagammu, are also competing for the professionals' seat. Yet their candidates seem to have little chance of winning, particularly as no big names are running there. In 1995, now Wafd leader, No'man Gomaa stood in Imbaba, while the Tagammu nominated well-known script writer, Fathiya El-Assal, who is running in the Cairo district of Qasr Al-Nil in this election.
As for the workers' seat, competition is strong between the NDP's MP Fouad Abdel-Wahab and Abdel-Moneim Emara, an independent.
"Emara was around whenever we needed him, he helped people, and he is from Imbaba," said Abdel-Karim Idris, who sells scarves in one of Imbaba's streets. "We chose him and he did not let us down," was one of the catchphrases printed on Emara's posters. Running for the same seat are Magdi Azzouz, candidate of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, who is officially running as an independent, together with Wafd's candidate Mohamed Amer Qutri.
Related stories:
Against the odds 2 - 8 November 2000
Election surprises defy pundits 26 Oct. - 1 Nov. 2000
Poll tough on Islamists 19 - 25 October 2000
The Brothers' last sigh? 5 - 11 October 2000
See Elections 2000
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