Promises, promises

What's another year for a government that cannot keep its word, wonders Jailan Halawi

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This week the press battled to prevent itself from slipping into a dark hole, to what intellectuals describe as a potential civil war between the so-called national as opposed to independent or politically affiliated newspapers. The war of words continued this week among journalists of various affiliations, amid the Press Syndicate's efforts to draw a line between freedom of expression and personal insults.

In an interview with the mouthpiece of the liberal Al-Wafd Party, chief editor of the daily Al-Ahram Osama Saraya criticised the Press Syndicate "for dedicating its premises as a platform for various political trends, movements and ideologies, instead of maintaining its role in safeguarding the profession. Journalism ought not be mixed with politics, and to that end, we should lay down new rules and act accordingly."

Putting their differences aside, the press stood united in its rage over anti-Islamic statements made by Pope Benedict and unfavourably compared him with his predecessor Pope John Paul. The difference between Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict, wrote an article in the daily independent Nahdat Masr is that the former had opened the door to Islamic-Christian dialogue while the latter has done totally the opposite. His insulting manner in addressing the Islamic religion and the Prophet Mohamed cannot be wiped out by an apology.

In the daily Al-Ahram, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar (the world's oldest Sunni institution) Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi was quoted as saying, "the pope's statements clearly reflect his ignorance about Islam." The newspaper carried articles in which some analysts expressed their fear lest such statements destroy the dialogue under way between the Islamic world and the Vatican.

This year it was decided that all schools and universities whether public or private will get a two-day weekly holiday.

Sunday witnessed the start of a new academic year coinciding with the National Democratic Party's fourth annual conference in which it tends in these gatherings to promote itself and its policies and renews its promises of a better life with better services for citizens at all levels. The biggest challenge of all seems to be unemployment -- amidst feisty criticism of the government's efforts in this regard and a similar critique of the deteriorating public education, be it the curriculum or premises.

To save face, the government decided to kill two birds with one stone. This year, said some official figures, 39,000 schools will receive 16 million students nationwide with a million and a half others going to Egyptian universities. The new academic year holds new job opportunities, too. The weekly Akhbar Al-Yom published news of thousands of students in public schools in Upper Egypt recruited by the NDP. To promote itself further, the NDP announced the opening of a fair that sells educational related material to university students in instalments as part of a joint project with the Social Fund with a budget of LE10 million.

As usual, in opposition and independent newspapers parents complained of the increasing burdens they must bear at the start of every academic year, stressing that this year prices had soared after some schools decided to change their uniforms. Other features carried pictures of dilapidated classrooms as well as deserted schools whose premises are flooded with sewage water and others still under construction despite the start of the year.

The NDP assures us that improving the educational system while preserving our culture "is a key issue" on its agenda. "Diversity in educational systems [in reference to private schools that follow a British, American or German curriculum] does not mean we lose our cultural identity. It remains our main concern that students at various educational levels are aware of who they are," said Hossam Badrawi, head of the NDP Educational Committee, in Akhbar Al-Yom.

Another article stated that during the past eight months, the NDP managed to provide 400,000 job opportunities through its developmental projects. In the daily Al-Gomhuriya Mohamed Ali Ibrahim on Sunday, under the headline, "Criticise the government but believe it" wrote that despite the wide range of jobs offered by the government, the public remains sceptical regarding the authenticity of the state's intentions in handling unemployment.

Ibrahim noted that graduates need to realise that it is hard work that provides good job opportunities rather than totally depending on the government for work and urged the nation to realise that a secure job does not necessarily mean working for state institutions. "[Youth] need to change their way of thinking and realise that it is by enhancing their skills that they will find a rewarding job and prove themselves on the professional arena, not by waiting for a state job."

On its front page, the daily independent Al-Masri Al-Yom said a campaign had started between NDP members and Brotherhood MPs to see who could gain more popularity in various districts around the country. This, noted the article, was manifested in the distribution among the poor and needy of the famous Ramadan food bags. Such bags, commonly distributed at this time of the year as a form of charity by Muslims, includes, according to the budget of the donor, basic foodstuff like rice, oil and butter. In response, Brotherhood MP Sobhi Saleh denied any deliberate competition. "The Brotherhood started distributing Ramadan bags a long time ago, even before joining parliament, as a form of help to our fellow citizens. In doing so, we are not competing with anybody, and those willing to do the same are more than welcome."

The passing away of prominent comedian Fouad El-Mohandes on Saturday touched the hearts of Egyptians as well as his fans around the Arab world. In tribute, El-Mohandes's friends and colleagues explained how his sense of humour had shaped the Arabic of many who spoke the language and his improvised words in movies and theatre were the punch line of jokes in a nation known for using its sense of humour and cracking a joke whenever the going gets tough.