aily EWS TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 N D Issue No. 2166 NEwSTAND PRICE LE 4.00 EGyPT www.thedailynewsegypt.com Egypt’s Only Daily Independent Newspaper In English

EGYPT CRITICISES MYANMAR GOVT A SuMMONS fOR SARCASM DOwNTOwN GETS D-CAf-INATED Foreign Ministry calls on Myanmar Comedian Ali Qandil has been The Downtown Contemporary government to enforce rule of law summoned by the prosecutor Arts Festival offering art exhibits, and protect Muslim minority general for blasphemy charges workshops and more kicks off 2 3 on 6 April 8

Sla denies appealing Shura Council to allow religious prosecutor general verdict slogans in electoral campaigns Tala’at Abdallah denies devolving powers to assistant, says he is still prosecutor general

Upper hoUse of parliament passed nine articles from political By Ahmed Aboul Enein The court refused Mahmoud’s re- quest, however, but he has decided to participation bill that governs elections President Mohamed Morsi has not appeal the refusal, state-owned news asked the State Litigation Authority agency MENA reported on Monday. By Ahmed Aboul Enein (SLA) to appeal the court verdict Meanwhile, Abdallah denied on overturning Prosecutor General Sunday night claims that he had del- Shura Council members passed nine Tala’at Abdallah’s appointment. egated his authority as prosecutor articles from the political participa- SLA Assistant Secretary General general to Assistant Prosecutor Gen- tion bill. The articles govern the right Abdel Salam Mahmoud said on Mon- eral Hassan Yassin in order to uphold to vote, how Egyptians abroad vote, day that no presidency officials had the Cairo Court of Appeals verdict and membership of the committee requested an appeal and that no one reversing his appointment. running elections. had the right to appeal but the au- “Prosecutor General Tala’at Abdal- The council had agreed to the thority itself, which is an independent lah is performing his full duties and government-drafted bill in prin- judicial body. everything at the public prosecution ciple last week before referring it “The verdict is still under review by is functioning properly,” his spokes- to its Legislative and Constitutional the technical office of the State Liti- person said in a statement released Affairs Committee for review and gation Authority. We will announce it on Sunday night. amendments. ourselves when we come to a deci- Abdallah received a delegation of One of the edits that was voted sion regarding whether or not to ap- lawyers displaying their support for into law in the Monday session was peal,” Mahmoud said in a statement. him on Sunday evening, including Salafi the addition of General Intelligence Former prosecutor general Ab- lawyer and former member of parlia- Service Directorate staff to the list del Meguid Mahmoud officially re- ment Mamdouh Ismail. of people banned from voting in ad- quested the Cairo Court of Appeals, “I will not fail you, I will not fail the dition to the already banned police which ruled to reinstate him and Egyptian people, and I will not stray and military personnel. reversed Abdallah’s appointment, from the path of the law,” Abdallah Another passed article included draft a verdict application report told his supporters. a list of crimes that would mean describing how exactly the court Ismail told Abdallah that “responsi- convicted citizens lose their right to envisions its verdict should be car- bility for Egypt lies in [his] hands”, and

vote. Citizens who are incarcerated AFP Photo ried out, and attach it to the official that he need not give in to political due to a mental illness will not be Two Egyptian women walking by a billboard featuring Islamic candidates using religious slogans in April 2012. The verdict memo. pressures because “God is with you”. able to vote. ban on the use of similar slogans in elections is being debated in the Shura Council Shura members added a clause permitting the introduction of elec- The Legislative and Constitu- wing the Freedom and Justice Party crimination should suffice and that tronic voting in future elections, al- tional Affairs Committee voted on controls a majority of Shura Council religious slogans should not be iran minister denies though it will not apply to the up- Sunday to remove a clause from seats, to legalise its long-time slogan banned since Article 2 of the con- coming parliamentary elections for Article 10 of the law banning re- “Islam is the solution”. stitution, which states that Islam is the House of Representatives. ligious slogans in campaigning, in- Muslim Brotherhood member the state religion and Sharia is the interference in Egypt Parliamentarians debated the leg- stead limiting the ban to campaigns and Legislative and Constitutional principle source of legislation, consti- islative committee’s decision to lift a that discriminate based on religion, Affairs Committee advisor Sobhi tutionally protects their usage. longstanding ban on the use of reli- gender, or ethnic origin. Saleh denied claims that “Islam is At the time of print Shura Coun- gious slogans in election campaigns, Opposition representatives saw the solution” discriminated be- cil members had voted the bill’s first but had not yet voted on the amend- the move as an attempt by the Mus- tween members of society. nine articles into law and were still ment at the time of print. lim Brotherhood, whose political Saleh added that the ban on dis- debating Article 10. Morsi’s initiative for women discusses sexual harassment National Centre for Social and Criminal Research holds first discussion on Morsi’s initiative for women

By Nouran El-Behairy “These discussions are only for the

sake of discussion or to come up with Ministry Foreign handout Under the auspices of President Mo- more ideas on women’s issues,” Abo Egyptian foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr with Iran’s Deputy Minister hamed Morsi, the National Centre for El-Ela said. of foreign Affairs for the Middle East Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday Social and Criminal Research (NC- The NCW was asked by the cabi- SCR) held the first group discussion ti- net to prepare an anti-harassment By Joel Gulhane Morsi’s office denied that such a let- tled “Sexual harassment: Between law law; the legislative committee of the ter was ever received. and social confrontation” on Monday. council delivered it to the cabinet on Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign During his visit to Cairo, Amir-Ab- The discussion is one of the initia- 17 March. Affairs for the Middle East, Hossein dollahian also met with United Na- tive’s activities meant to support the Morsi had launched the initiative Amir-Abdollahian, denied that his tions and Arab League Special Envoy rights and freedoms of Egyptian wom- on 24 March to help improve the lives country has any intention of interfer- Lakhdar Brahimi. “The visit to Cairo en that President Morsi had called for of Egyptian women in rural and ur- ing in Egyptian affairs. was aimed at consulting with Egyptian

earlier in March. NCSR handout ban areas and identify the challenges At a press conference held in Cai- officials and some regional figures,” “The initiative aims to support The National Centre for Social and Criminal Research (NCSCR) held the first group facing women in Egypt. On 26 March ro on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said he said, according to MENA. Amir- Egyptian women, respect their choices discussion titled “Sexual harassment: Between law and social confrontation” Morsi addressed the Arab League call- that Iran does not have any sectar- Abdollahian also met with Kamel Amr and preserve their accomplishments,” ing to designate 2013 as a special year ian interests in any aspect of Egypt’s and Secretary General of the Arab said NCSCR Director Nesreen El- El-Boghdady said the centre will main specialisation,” said Abeer Abo for women; he invited the attendees internal affairs, reported state-owned League Nabil El-Araby on Sunday. Boghdady in her opening statement. use tools like discussion groups, sur- El-Ela, head of NCW’s media office. to a conference on women’s rights news agency MENA. Kamel Amr stressed “the impor- The centre specified six key issues veys, interviews and field research to She added that the NCW represents later this year in Cairo. Amir-Abdollahian denied reports tance of achieving the aspirations of that affect women in Egypt: sexual study these issues, noting that the Egyptian women locally and interna- The initiative was criticised by many that Iran is attempting to interfere the Syrian people” to Amir-Abdolla- harassment, political, social and eco- centre is a scientific authority rather tionally and that their leadership could women’s rights groups like Fouda in Egyptian mosques. He described hian on Sunday. Iran has backed the nomic rights, the image of women in than an executive one. have given the initiative more weight. Watch, who said the initiative was far these accusations as false, fabricated, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad and media and a suggestion to establish a “The National Council for Women The director of the social research de- from the “painful reality” of Egyptian and an attempt at provoking Iran. his regime since the Syrian conflict national network of all NGOs work- (NCW) should have been the one partment of the NCW represented the women and accused the president of In February the Egyptian Min- began. Last week, Amir-Abdollahian ing on women issues. hosting this discussion, for it’s our council in Monday’s discussion. undermining women. istry of Foreign Affairs clarified criticised the Arab League decision to the relationship between the two grant the Syrian opposition the Syrian countries. Minister of Foreign Af- seat at the recent Arab League Summit Egyptian Stock Exchange fairs Mohamed Kamel Amr said that in Doha. He described the opposition Commentary Iran is “a regional power that no as “unauthorised people” and added 7.0531 7.4798 Closing Daily Change Farah Halime says: one can ignore, but there are de- that “the Arab League set a precedent EGX 30 5,057.04 -0.82% Aside from actually making concrete terminants of the relationship and against international norms”. 6.8096 6.8397 moves to solve the energy crisis, Egypt has fixed limitations and is AFP reported on Saturday that Iraq shouldn’t the government invest committed to them”. would increase searches of Iranian EGX 70 438.45 -0.68% 8.6413 9.1178 some time and money into improving Iranian state news agency FARS flights to Syria following information the airport, a tourist and internation- published a letter in February, which coming to light about the movement 10.2585 10.8243 EGX 100 731.95 -0.73% al investor’s first impression of Cairo? was allegedly sent to President Mo- of weapons. The Syrian Economic hamed Morsi by advisors to the Ira- Task Force claimed in February that 1.809 1.8344 EGX 20 5,785.85 -1.21% Page 5 nian Grand Ayatollah, offering him Iran had been shipping oil and weap- advice on building an Islamic state. ons to Syria via Egypt’s Suez Canal. 2 Daily news egypt TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 www.thedailynewsegypt.com

albania signs agreements Judicial delegation heads to Qatar with egypt Group will discuss ways to repatriate eGyptian assets abroad Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti met with By Hend Kortam Motaz Salah El-Din, who heads a bers, including ousted president Hos- cooperation on restoring Egyp- popular campaign to restore the sto- ni Mubarak, in Spain, Switzerland, and tian funds. The British ambassador high-level government officials to discuss Kosovo, bilateral A judicial delegation travelled to the len assets, said he does not believe the UK have been frozen. There are to Egypt told Prosecutor General cooperation and enhancing trade Qatari capital Doha to take part in there is any political will to recover varying estimates regarding the value Tala’at Abdallah that the British gov- a workshop on repatriating Egyptian the funds. The campaign has coor- of Egyptian funds smuggled abroad, ernment will use all available infor- By Luiz Sanchez recognition of Kosovo, adding that it funds smuggled to foreign countries. dinators in Spain, the US, Canada, but there is no total figure as of yet. mation and resources to help Egypt is a gradual process. The delegation will attend a work- the UK, Switzerland, France, Austria, In November 2012, an official in repatriate the funds. Albania’s Foreign Minister Edmond In his meeting with Kamel Amr, shop running from Tuesday to Thurs- Eastern Europe, and the Gulf. the Egyptian prosecution said Egypt The information is expected to Panariti met with President Mohamed Panariti signed a cultural, technical day titled “Internal coordination to The campaign tries to restore had managed to restore EGP 11bn in help with investigations against for- Morsi, Prime Minister Hesham Qa- and scientific cooperation agree- achieve the best ways to restore funds by pressuring authorities to stolen assets. mer regime members on charges of ndil, and Egyptian Foreign Minister ment. The ministers said both nations smuggled Egyptian funds”, state-run freeze assets of former regime mem- The return of the rest of the assets corruption and money laundering. Mohamed Kamel Amr on Sunday as are willing to continue to develop news agency MENA reported. bers. is dependent on the outcome of the Assistant to the Prosecutor Gen- part of an official visit to the Middle cooperation in all fields of mutual Several committees have been He said that some of the attempts trials of former regime members. eral Kamel Girgis said Swiss officials East starting in Egypt. interest. Albania requested increased formed to recover stolen Egyptian to restore the assets are going well Members of the Egyptian prosecu- have completed a draft law to ease According to a press release from economic cooperation in commerce, funds and the delegation will review while others are not going so well. tion met with a British delegation in procedures of restoring stolen funds Panariti’s office, his meetings revolved renewable energy, agriculture and their efforts to do so. The assets of former regime mem- Cairo from 16-18 March to discuss to countries including Egypt. around exchanging views on foreign tourism specifically. policy, the promotion of political dia- The recognition of Kosovo and the logue and a further deepening of co- situations in Syria and the region in operation in areas of mutual interest. general were topics of discussion be- egypt condemns renewed violence against In his meetings with Qandil, Pana- tween both parties. riti emphasised the need for more Panariti’s meeting with Morsi was frequent high-level visits. Both par- similar to those conducted with Ka- Muslims in Myanmar ties discussed ways to improve co- mel Amr and Qandil. Both parties ex- operation in the fields of economics, pressed gratitude for the long-standing Foreign Ministry calls on Myanmar government to enforce rule of law trade, education, culture and science. relations between the two nations and Panariti said the Albanian government Panariti congratulated Morsi and the By Joel Gulhane encourages Egyptian investments in Egyptian people on the democratic Albania in the fields of energy, tour- reform being undertaken, noting “the Egypt has condemned ongoing vio- ism, agriculture and transport and is great potential for cooperation”. lence against Muslims in the South- assessing the possibility of establish- Morsi addressed the Kosovo issue east Asian state of Myanmar. ing direct flights between the respec- by saying Egypt is interested in the The ministry released a statement tive capitals. stability of the Western Balkans and on Monday expressing “concern Panariti also praised the transition has therefore established coopera- over these events, which encompass “being undertaken by the Egyptian tion with Kosovo. Morsi told Panariti several new regions”. The statement government towards the democrati- that Egypt follows the top-level nego- warned that the violence is “turning sation of the country and the con- tiations between Kosovo and Serbia into systematic targeting on sectarian solidation of the rule of law”, adding “with great interest” and hopes an and ethnic lines”. that Albania “could serve as a model agreement is soon reached between of tolerance and interfaith harmony”. the parties. He also added that the Egypt called upon the Panariti told Qandil he was grate- recognition of Kosovo is expected to Myanmar government ful for the support Egypt has given be formalised shortly. Kosovo in its struggle for recognition The meeting ended with an invita- to respond to a request and independence, adding that he tion for Morsi to visit Albania which, for the Organisation of hopes to see Egypt formally recog- according to the Albanian Ministry of Islamic Cooperation’s nise Kosovo. Foreign Affairs, was accepted. Qandil said in return that the gov- Panariti is scheduled to fly to Jor- contact group to visit ernment is seriously considering the dan next, followed by Lebanon. the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar MiU students want “Egypt invites them [the Myanmar government] to take strict and imme- Archambault / Christophe AFP Photo diate measures against the instigators Muslim Rohingyas making their way through the flooded access track to the Say Thamagyi internally displaced classes to resume of the strife,” the statement said, call- persons camp, located on the outskirts of Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar in October 2012 ing on the government of Myanmar to Students hold a press conference highlighting the violence enforce the rule of law to end the vio- acceptance of this initiative would “re- been “facilitated by and at times in- HRW added that the government has lence against “the lives and property assure the international community”. volving state security forces and gov- not made any attempt to relocate they were subjected to and call for resumption of classes of Muslim minorities in Myanmar”. The conflict between Buddhists ernment officials”. The rights group these people. HRW also reported that Egypt called upon the Myanmar and Muslims in Myanmar resurfaced believes more than 125,000 Rohingya the Muslims in Myanmar are subjected government to respond to a request in March in Arakan state in the west and Kaman Muslims have been dis- to “discriminatory policies”. for the Organisation of Islamic Co- of the country. At the end of March placed as a result of the violence. In November the Free Egyptians operation’s contact group to visit the Human Rights Watch (HRW) called The humanitarian situation in the Party attempted to march to the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar “to de- on the Myanmar government to “per- country is dire, according to HRW. Myanmar embassy in Cairo. The dem- velop an urgent plan to provide aid to mit unfettered access to humanitarian Camps for the displaced people “are onstrators called on Morsi to take a the affected people”. The statement agencies” as a way to help end the crisis. located in paddy fields and lowland ar- stand against the violence. Police also described the government’s re- HRW reported that violence in eas that face heavy flooding during the stopped the march 100 metres from sponse as “minimal”, saying that the Arakan started in June 2012 and has rainy season, which will begin in May”. the embassy. Borg al-arab airport strike ends Preliminary investigations indicate EGP 1.5m in damages as a result of police strike

By Basil El-Dabh rior, according to state-owned news rity personnel reportedly sat on the the airport returned to normal op- agency MENA. airport’s runways to prevent flights erations.

A police strike, which temporar- The strikers were promised a raise from arriving or departing, causing The public prosecution inspected page Facebook Movement MIU Student ily crippled operations at Borg Al- in allowances for things including ser- incoming flights to redirect to Cairo the damage in the airport on Monday, Sign reads “Rules of the sit-in.” MIU protesters lay out basic rules to maintain or- Arab International Airport in Alex- vice projects and criminal research. International Airport. and a committee was formed to re- der, including engagement with the media, use of foul language and hygiene andria, came to an end on Sunday Damages at Borg Al-Arab Interna- They also damaged a number of cord a full inventory of financial losses. evening. tional Airport amounted to EGP 1.5 vehicles and reportedly attacked Some police strikes have started in By Rana Muhammad Taha broke out last Tuesday. The admin- Vice Air Marshall Hany Aqab said million, Aqab said. passenger lounges where they cut different parts of the country, mostly istration is refusing to resume an agreement was reached with the The border guards began their internet cables, electricity, and shat- in reaction to the wave of unrest for Students of the Misr International classes until the sit-in is resolved, guards in a meeting with high-ranking strike on Sunday, demanding better tered windows. which officers claim they are not ad- University (MIU) held a press con- Domyati said. members of the Ministry of the Inte- pay and working conditions. The secu- Following the end of the strike, equately armed. ference on the university’s campus “Our sit-in occupies no more on Monday to condemn the vio- than 0.1% of the campus area,” lence they were subjected to and Domyati said. call for the resumption of classes. He stated that negotiations are some improvement in azhar University dorms Clashes broke out between being held between students and protesting students and security research assistants, the latter nego- Students say there are improvements after student protests against poor conditions forces last week after a sit-in by tiating on behalf of the administra- students when none of their de- tion. “The administration is refusing By Hend Kortam al and added that such improvement Following March’s protests and of the male dorms committee, said mands were met. to let go of University Vice President is expected after the pressure the several meetings between different there are committees to monitor The press conference featured Hassan Hamdy,” Domyati said. A student union official at Al-Azhar students have applied. student bodies and university ad- the kitchen and whether workers statements by the student move- Other than Hamdy’s resigna- University said there has been a Last month students from the ministration officials, two commit- in the dorms wear their uniforms ment and the head of the student tion, protesting students have also marked improvement in the level dorms held protests objecting to tees to monitor the improvements or gloves. He said the monitoring is union. Students demanded that been calling for the resignation of of cleanliness and the behaviour the quality of the food served at were set up, one for the male dorms effective because it is carried out by classes resume as soon as possible. administration member Ali Abu of workers in Al-Azhar University the dormitories and the poor state and another for the female dorms. students who can check the situa- Mahmoud Domyati, a student Bakr, accepting the resignation of dorms. of the buildings and facilities. Some The committees were formed by tion at any time, as opposed to of- protester, said: “We called upon the the university security director and The university has two dorms, female students were assaulted by the student union which is domi- ficials who make scheduled appear- university administration, the Min- cancelling the decisions to suspend one for its female students and an- university employees during the nated by Muslim Brotherhood stu- ances giving the cleaning staff time istry of Higher Education, the stu- students as a result of the latest other for its male students. Hussein protests, increasing tensions be- dents after they achieved a sweeping to prepare for their visits. dents’ families and the students who clashes. Gaweesh, a student at the university, tween students and the university majority during elections in March. Ragab was among the students aren’t taking part in the sit-in to help Student demonstrations began said the general cleanliness of the administration. The committees include mem- who took part in protests in March. us resume classes.” in early March demanding the con- dorms has improved. Gaweesh de- Gaweesh said the quality of the bers from outside the student The students also demanded the Classes have been suspended un- struction of a pedestrian bridge scribed the improvements as gradu- food has not noticeably improved. union. Mohamed Ragab, a member removal of top university officials. til further notice since the violence over the highway near the university. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 Daily news egypt 3

www.thedailynewsegypt.com

Court rules to prolong detention of 6 april members Mubarak Youth group set to appeal court’s decision, believes the issue is political not legal resignation

By Joel Gulhane appeal shot

A court in New Cairo ruled on Mon- down day to renew the detention of four members of the 6 April Youth Move- Supreme Administrative ment for a further 15 days. Court says it cannot The group’s media director Khaled El-Masry said that the group overturn Hosni Mubarak’s are pursuing legal means of appeal- resignation ing the decision. Since the four were detained last Friday, 6 April have been By Luiz Sanchez trying to find out where they are be- ing held and have still received no of- The Supreme Administrative Court ficial information. El-Masry said that on Monday rejected an appeal to the defendants were driven directly overturn Hosni Mubarak’s 2011 res- in and out of the court and were not ignation as president. The court ruled allowed to make contact with 6 April it had no jurisdiction in the matter as members. the decision to step down is a sov- The group announced their inten- ereign one and thus is not subject to tion to protest outside the court on judicial oversight. Monday and approximately 50 mem- According to Aswat Masreya, the bers, including the group’s coordina- appeal was filed by lawyer Mohi Rashid tor Ahemd Maher, arrived at the heav- and several of Mubarak’s supporters. ily-guarded court, reported El-Masry. The appeal is based on several articles “The trial should have been in Nasr of Law 174 (2005) governing elections City but the location was changed as and presidential decisions. According the New Cairo court has better se- to the law, Mubarak’s decision to step curity,” he said. down should have been put forward El-Masry believes that this case is to a public referendum. not a simple legal procedure. “It is Mubarak stepped down on 11 Feb- not a legal matter, but a political one. ruary 2011 after millions of Egyptians They are trying to make an example took to the streets to protest deteri- of these members and trying to keep orating conditions under his rule. He us busy in the lead up to the 6 April handed over power to the Supreme

anniversary. They have nothing on the Al-MalkyAhmed Council of Armed Forces and was guys,” he said. He added that on its 6 April protesters block doors of the High Court on Saturday and Sunday in protest at the detention of their members eventually tried and sentenced to life anniversary, the youth movement will imprisonment for failing to stop the protest rather than celebrate. to call for the release of its mem- Molotov cocktails”. of the Minister of Interior Mohamed house and the house itself, accusing murder of protesters at the hands The group began a sit-in outside bers. The movement claims men at- The four members were detained Ibrahim. The group threw ladies’ un- the ministry of being a “prostitute for of security forces during the uprising the High Court on Saturday night tacked the sit-in with “knives and at a demonstration outside the house derwear at the police guarding the all regimes”. which ousted him. nsF restructure imminent summons for stand-up comedian ali Qandil More blasphemy charges stemming from Bassem Youssef’s Al-Bernameg show Although not the final draft, top-tier positions in the report have been confirmed

By Luiz Sanchez liminary draft because there are still Mohamed ElBaradei will occupy many names missing from positions,” the position of General Coordinator Media outlets circulated a report Hawary said. “Some committees are in the senior leadership and Ahmed on the preliminary draft of the pro- still missing their full structure, but El-Borai will be the Secretary-Gen- posed National Salvation Front (NSF) those names mentioned in the draft eral, with Wahid Abdel and Inas Mek- restructuring document on Monday, are final.” kawi occupying positions of Assistant prompting NSF spokesperson Khaled Hawary could not say when the Secretary General. Dawoud to issue a statement assert- final restructuring plan would be re- The restructuring will also include ing the draft is an early proposal and vealed. “We are still discussing the the establishment of a committee re- not the final document. role of some committees, what ser- sponsible for negotiating the political The statement on Monday said that vices they will offer and so on,” he mandate with the leadership, manag- the report is based on an early draft said, adding that the main points of ing dialogue with the various parties, which was circulated internally and discussion at this point are purely or- and communicating the results of does not represent the final compo- ganisational. such dialogue to the leadership. sition of the NSF. The senior leadership will be com- The committee will be composed Dawoud added that the NSF lead- posed of 14 representatives from the of several party representatives on ership was still in the process of draft- political parties within the NSF and an executive level and coordinators ing the final composition and will be two interchangeable representatives from other committees. It will also holding discussions on the matter from the youth groups within the have four permanent and two inter- later in the week. parties. The senior leadership will be changeable representatives of youth Ahmed Hawary, an NSF spokesper- responsible for setting the policies groups and seek to find representa-

son, said the early draft is incomplete and vision of the NSF, as well as the tives of different sectors of society page Qandil Facebook Ali but the names in the top-tier posi- approval of activities and attendance such as women, workers, professional Stand-up comedian Ali Qandil, shown in the photo cleaning Tahrir Square, was summoned before the prosecutor tions are confirmed. “This is a pre- at weekly meetings. associations, farmers, and artists. general’s office on blasphemy charges

By Menna Mourad he had insulted Islam. cases. Youssef denied charges of insult- The summons has not yet been offi- ing Islam and maintains that his show Stand-up comedian Ali Qandil has been cially handed to Qandil. On his Facebook exposes those who do insult religion. lawyers’ syndicate responds summoned to appear before the pros- page, he claimed to have heard the news Emad Hamdy, the official spokesper- ecutor general’s office on Wednesday from trusted sources. Al-Masry El Youm son of Al-Tayar Al-Shaaby, told Al-Arabiya morning on blasphemy charges. said that Prosecutor Mohamed El Sayed TV channel that the government is trying to alexandria detention Qandil made a guest appearance in Khalifa had confirmed the summons. to attack the media and thatYoussef’s case Bassem Youssef’s show ‘Al-Bernameg’ Qandil did not say whether he is an attack on freedom of expression. Syndicate demands sacking of Minister of Interior and Alexandria security director and criticised some Muslim clerics’ would appear before the prosecution. “If Morsi wants to jail BassemYoussef approach to religious discourse and Bassem Youssef, the show’s host, ap- for satirically criticising him for his By Rana Muhammad Taha Mahienour El-Massry, an Alexan- own. “As long as policemen get away the use of religion by individuals to peared before the prosecutor general shameful statements, then he has to jail drian lawyer who was among those with such attacks, the rivalry between gain personal benefits. In a Facebook on Sunday morning and was released the entire Egyptian population because The head of the Lawyers’ Syndicate attacked and detained on Friday, said them and the citizens is going to in- comment, he denied allegations that on EGP 15,000 bail for three separate they do the same thing,” Hamdy added. Sameh Ashour demanded on Sunday that the measures taken by the syndi- crease, and so will their confidence in the minister of interior, the Alexan- cate will not be effective unless they their impunity.” dria security director, the head of de- are followed by all lawyers nationwide. The syndicate announced their tectives and the deputy police chief be “This is a late reaction,” El-Massry assembly is currently in permanent protests in port said over exclusions fired and legally prosecuted. said, commenting on the syndicate’s session. It requested that the Al- The call was made during an emer- decisions. “This isn’t the first time law- exandria Lawyers’ Syndicate and gency meeting at the Alexandria yers have been subjected to violations other sub-syndicates nationwide from victims’ funds Court of Appeals in response to the by policemen.” call for an emergency general as- By Rana Muhammad Taha ist in Port Said, said that the protest tial decrees telling us to add victims attacks and detentions of lawyers on El-Massry referred to a trial on 20 sembly. began at Al-Mariam Mosque on Sun- of certain clashes or incidents.” Friday at Al-Raml Police Station. January when police officers were ac- Ashour also called for a one-day Port Said residents protested on Sun- day evening. Abdel Meguid stated that the victims The syndicate announced the cused of killing protesters during the strike on 10 April to protest against day against statements made by the The revolutionary victims’ fund is- of the Port Said massacre were added formation of a coalition of Alexan- 25 January Revolution. “The lawyers insults to lawyers in Alexandria, re- head of the revolutionary victims’ sued a statement clarifying the situa- to the fund’s list by a presidential decree, dria lawyers as well as a legal com- were also beaten by policemen in ported state-owned news agency fund Khaled Badawy, who said that tion. “The victims of the clashes are but that no decree was issued regarding mittee to follow up on reports filed court then and there was no strong MENA. those who died during the latest Port under the care of the Ministry of In- those killed in the latest clashes. to the public prosecution by and reaction,” El-Massry said. The lawyers and activists arrived Said clashes are not on the fund’s list surance and Social Affairs,” the state- Clashes in Port Said started on 26 against lawyers. “The good thing about these deci- at the police station to voice their of victims of the revolution. ment read. It added that the ministry January and dragged on throughout The syndicate also announced they sions is that they are giving a warning solidarity with three political activ- More than 40 Port Said residents is delegated with the responsibility of February and March. During the un- would maintain the ban on allowing to police officers,” El-Massry said. “It’s ists captured by Freedom and Justice were killed during clashes with the taking care of victims and their families, rest, residents of the city began a cam- police officers access to the Lawyers’ also good that they don’t only con- Party (FJP) members and handed over police following a court verdict on as per a presidential decree. paign of civil disobedience that spread Syndicate. It also prohibited advocat- cern lawyers, but people in general.” to the police on Friday. They were the Port Said stadium massacre on “We cannot add victims accord- to other parts of the country. Amid the ing or defending any policemen, vow- She stated that such decisions by then allegedly beaten by policemen. 26 January. The verdict sentenced 21 ing to our own whims,” said Ayman clashes, the Port Said director of secu- ing to punish any lawyer who violates the Lawyers’ Syndicate cannot re- Five lawyers were also detained and defendants to execution. Abdel Meguid, head of healthcare rity was replaced in a failed attempt to this decision. form the Ministry of Interior on their referred to investigation. Mahmoud Qandil, a political activ- for the fund. “We receive presiden- alleviate tensions in the city. 4 Daily news egypt TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 www.thedailynewsegypt.com

Hamas set to re-elect algeria sanctions imam union Meshaal as leader: to stem salafist influence (AFP) - Algerian authorities have giv- Algeria is no stranger to radical en the all-clear for a union of imams Muslim trends, having battled Is- party officials to protect the country’s tradition- lamist insurgents since its devastat- ally moderate form of Islam from the ing civil war in the 1990s, some of (AFP) - Veteran Hamas leader Khaled ciliation with the rival Fatah faction of teachings of hardline Salafists whose whom formed Al-Qaeda’s regional Meshaal is set to be elected to a new Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. influence is on the rise in north Africa. franchise in 2007, after the conflict term as head of the Palestinian Is- A brilliant orator, Meshaal has The move comes two months after formally ended. lamist movement, party officials said used the freedom of movement an Al-Qaeda-linked attack on a desert But while it has attracted less me- on Monday. that is denied to Hamas leaders in gas plant, where 37 foreign hostages dia attention, the spread of extremist There had been speculation that Gaza to criss-cross the Arab and were killed during a siege and army ideology has also been a cause of con- Meshaal, who is based in exile, would Muslim world. rescue operation, and amid fears of ji- cern, with up to 80 percent of Algerian be forced aside by the movement’s Developments in the Mid- hadist groups gaining ground in neigh- mosques prey to Salafist-style teach- powerful leaders in the Gaza Strip, dle East since the Arab Spring up- bouring Tunisia. ings, according to some estimates. which it has controlled since 2007. risings of 2011 “pushed Hamas to The union’s “mission will be to de- “We first created a union in 1999, Meshaal himself had said last year choose Meshaal... who has given the fend the material and moral rights of the Algerian league of imams and that he would not seek a new term. movement a national face... and has the imams and to act as a bulwark ulamas, but we did not get approval,” But Hamas officials said that the good relations in the Arab world,” a against imported religious ideas, Salaf- said Hadjimi. party’s governing shura council was third Hamas officials said on Monday. ist or other,” its secretary general The authorities at the time feared poised to re-elect him at a meeting in It was only last December that Me- Sheikh Djelloul Hadjimi told AFP. the mosques would become political Cairo later on Monday or on Tuesday. shaal made his first ever visit to Gaza. The preacher of El Ouarthilani forums, as they did in the early 1990s “The movement’s leaders have He was propelled to the move- mosque, in the Telemly district of the when they fell under the control decided to renew Meshaal’s term for ment’s leadership in 2004 after Israel capital Algiers, welcomes his followers of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), four years,” a high-ranking official told assassinated the movement’s found- over tea and dates, some of them seek- which won Algeria’s first democratic AFP on condition of anonymity. ing leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and ing a fatwa, or religious edict, others elections in 1991. “The leadership of the shura council his successor Abdelaziz al-Rantissi in asking for advice or material assistance. The army’s decision to cancel the are meeting today (Monday) to decide the Gaza Strip. He says he is used to receiving elections sparked a civil war with on the selection of the movement’s Meshaal himself survived an Is- people suffering from psychological Islamist militants that cost up to chief,” he said, adding their decision raeli assassination attempt in Jordan afflictions, including young people 200,000 lives. would be officially announced Monday in 1997 when agents of the Mossad who have tried to commit suicide. “We waited until 2012 and decid- evening or Tuesday at the latest. secret service disguised as Canadian But since the union was officially ed to create a union affiliated to the Another Hamas official, also speak- tourists bungled an attempt to poison announced in mid-March, he has national Algerian General Workers ing on condition of anonymity, said: him on a street in Amman. struggled to cope with his daily agenda Union (UGTA),” Hadjimi said.

“The elections take place in total se- Three of the attackers took refuge / Khalil Mazraawi AFP Photo and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. “Algerians observe the Malekite crecy, but it’s widely known that Me- at the Israeli embassy, but two were Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal Sheikh Hadjimi has said that the doctrine. The imam must conform shaal’s term will be renewed.” captured by Jordanian authorities. bulk of the union’s work must be fo- to it. He does not have the right to Hamas officials were in Cairo on Meshaal fell into a coma and a fu- captured agents to be freed. tanyahu, re-elected in 2009 and again cused on Algiers, “where a large ma- propagate ideas coming from else- Sunday and Monday for the vote, and rious King Hussein demanded Israel The episode compelled then Is- this year, to release Yassin and 19 oth- jority of the mosques are hostage to where, Salafist, Wahhabi or Shiite,” to discuss with Egyptian leaders recon- hand over the antidote if it wanted the raeli prime minister Benjamin Ne- ers from prison. Salafist imams.” he insisted. syria conflict dents suicide truck bomb kills 9 as iraq unrest spikes (AFP) - A suicide truck bomber killed Tikrit left a policeman dead, a town that insurgent groups may be trying to Maliki as he grapples with criticism from Damascus loyalties nine people at a police headquarters mayor and his two bodyguards wound- “instil the electorate into voting along within his unity cabinet and protests in on Monday as data showed March was ed, and a tribal chief kidnapped and his sectarian lines, further dividing soci- the minority Sunni Arab community. Iraq’s deadliest month since August, bodyguard wounded, officials said. ety, which in turn harms the govern- Though violence remains high by of golan Druze raising fears of a surge in violence No group immediately claimed re- ment’s efforts to consolidate voters.” international standards, Iraq’s military leading up to elections. sponsibility for the Tikrit attack, but “A divided society is also easier for and police are consistently described (AFP) - The Golan’s native Druze have “I’m scared that if the rebels win, The latest attack, in Saddam Hus- Sunni militants linked to Al-Qaeda of- the terrorists to operate in.” by Iraqi and American officials as ca- remained fiercely loyal to Damascus Al-Nusra and Al-Qaeda will come sein’s hometown of Tikrit, comes as ten use suicide bombers and vehicles Questions have been raised about pable of maintaining internal security, through 46 years of Israeli occupa- here, and they believe anyone who’s Iraq marks 10 years since the US-led packed with explosives to target se- the credibility of the polls as they have but are not yet fully able to protect tion but as the Syrian civil war draws not from their religion is infidel and invasion of the country that intended curity forces and officials in a bid to been postponed in two provinces the country’s borders, airspace and ever closer, it is dividing the tight-knit should be killed,” she said. to oust Saddam and install a stable, destabilise the country. roiled by months of protests, and 11 maritime territory. community. “I support Assad, and I’m for elec- democratic ally in the Middle East but The bombing comes ahead of pro- candidates have been killed, according Figures compiled by AFP and based With the sound of fighting be- tions. If there are elections, the people instead unleashed brutal violence and vincial elections scheduled for 20 April, to an AFP tally. on reports from security and medi- tween Damascus troops and rebels will choose Bashar,” the 40-year-old endless political disputes. due to be held in 12 of Iraq’s 18 prov- Officials cited security threats to cal officials, meanwhile, showed that booming from just across the armi- shoe-seller said. The attacker detonated the tanker inces, the country’s first polls since a candidates and election officials in jus- March was the deadliest month in Iraq stice line that separates them from One elderly farmer said he still truck at a police headquarters in Tikrit, parliamentary vote in March 2010. tifying the delay in Anbar and Nineveh since August with 271 people killed their compatriots, some among the remembered the years before the 160 km (100 miles) north of Baghdad, “Because we are approaching province, but diplomats have voiced and 906 wounded in attacks. Golan’s 20,000 Druze are beginning 1967 Middle East war, when the killing nine people and wounding 28, ac- elections, which are a key event in concern over the move. The death toll was sharply higher to question their longstanding devo- whole Golan right down to the cording to Mohammed Hassan Attiya, the country, this is pushing terrorist “The fact is that while security than the toll for February, when 220 tion to the Syrian regime. shores of the Sea of Galilee was still the head of the security committee groups ... to carry out maximum dam- has been put forward as a rationale people were killed and 571 were In the territory’s main town Majdal under Syrian control. within the provincial council of Salahed- age against internal security,” a senior for that postponement, no country wounded. Shams, most residents, at least pub- “Our president is Bashar al-Assad din, of which Tikrit is the capital. security official told AFP, speaking on knows more about voting under dif- Iraq has largely eschewed any for- licly, profess the same staunch Syrian and our army is the Syrian Arab Among the victims were eight po- condition of anonymity. ficult circumstances than Iraq,” US mal ceremonies marking the date of nationalism that has seen nearly all of Army,” he said proudly. licemen who died and 25 who were “They are aiming to hinder the Secretary of State John Kerry said on the invasion, but events are likely to be them spurn Israel’s offer of passports The uprising against him launched wounded, Attiya said. elections.” a surprise visit to Baghdad last month. held on 9 April, which marks the day since it unilaterally annexed the stra- in March 2011 “is a conspiracy... in Also north of the capital, separate at- John Drake, a London-based secu- The vote is seen as a key barometer Baghdad fell and is typically reserved tegic plateau in 1981. which 130 countries are participat- tacks in Mosul, Tuz Khurmatu and near rity analyst for AKE Group, warned of support for Prime Minister Nuri al- as a public holiday. But the rebel sympathies of a mi- ing,” he added, alluding to the inter- nority, evidenced by a Syrian opposi- national diplomatic recognition ex- tion flag planted atop an Israeli army tended to the armed opposition. communications mast just outside But as the reality of the bloodshed s. Korea leader vows to strike back at north town, are stoking sometimes acri- draws ever closer with wounded Syr- monious splits, even within families. ians seeking treatment on the Israeli (AFP) - South Korea’s new president on and the military saw him suspended from “Imagine someone refusing to side of the armistice line, some Majdal Monday promised a strong military re- duty in June 2006 and sacked the follow- speak to his own brother because of Shams residents are ready to voice sponse to any North Korean provocation ing year. a difference of opinion over Syria,” public support for the rebels. after Pyongyang announced that the two The parliament also adopted an ordi- said 20-year-old Noor, an engineer- “We’re against Assad,” said Fawzi countries were now in a state of war. nance on “consolidating the position of ing student from Majdal Shams. Mahmud, 42. “Assad showed himself President Park Geun-Hye’s warning nuclear weapons state for self-defence”, “A standard question is who are to be worse than a dictator, kill- came as North Korea’s rubber-stamp KCNA said, fulfilling the party leadership’s you with? Many people are not friends ing everyone without regard. He parliament formalised the country’s status call a day before for the country’s posses- anymore because of this. doesn’t care.” as a nuclear weapons state and appointed sion of nuclear weapons to be “fixed by “A father slapped his son in front Mahmud said that the spread of a sacked economic reformer for a fresh law”. of everybody” in the town during an sympathy for the Syrian opposition term as prime minister. Sunday’s gathering of the central

argument about Syria, she said. had been helped by the gradual ero- It also coincided with a US announce- / Kim Jae-Hwan AFP Photo committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, The sensitivity of the rift within the sion of the distinct Golan Druze ment that it had deployed stealth fighters A South Korean K-1 tank moves over a temporary bridge during a river- which was chaired by leader Kim Jong- community over the devastating war identity and its attachment to Da- to South Korea as part of an ongoing joint crossing military drill in Hwacheon near the border with North Korea Un, had also insisted that the nuclear between President Bashar al-Assad’s mascus. military exercise. arsenal be beefed up “qualitatively and troops and the rebels fighting to over- “We don’t feel we have any par- At a meeting with senior military officials The Korean peninsula has been caught SouthKorea as part of the ongoing “Foal quantitatively”. throw him means that most Druze ticular identity, Druze or other. We’ve and Defence Minister Kim Kwan-Jin, Park in a cycle of escalating tensions since the Eagle” military exercise. On Saturday the North announced speak only on condition of anonymity. been under Israeli occupation for 40 said she took the near-daily stream of bel- North’s long-range rocket launch in De- North Korea has already threatened to it had entered a “state of war” with “I’m pro the Syrian people, and years,” he said. licose threats emanating from the North cember which its critics condemned as a strike the US mainland and US bases in the South Koreaand warned that any provo- therefore pro-Assad,” said shop- In the past, Syria’s Druze minor- over the past month “very seriously”. ballistic missile test. Pacific in response to the participation of cation would swiftly escalate into an all-out keeper Abu Zayd, not his real name. ity has played a leading role in some “I believe that we should make a United Nations sanctions were fol- nuclear-capable US B-52 and B-2 stealth nuclear conflict. “There’s no such thing as the of the major events of the coun- strong and immediate retaliation without lowed by a nuclear test in February, after bombers in the exercise. It also threatened to shut down the Free Syrian Army (the main rebel try’s history. any other political considerations if (the which came more sanctions and apocalyp- Monday’s gathering of the North’s Su- joint-Korean Kaesong industrial complex, force),” the 30-year-old said. “It’s a A monument that adorns a round- North) stages any provocation against our tic threats from Pyongyang as South Ko- preme People’s Assembly, or parliament, which is a crucial source of hard-curren- Pakistani, Afghan, American army... about in Majdal Shams recalls the part people,” she said. rea and the United States conducted joint was notable for the promotion of a former cy revenue for Pyongyang and has been which wants to wage jihad.” played by the community in the na- Her defence minister made it clear that military drills. premier who was sacked in a reported shielded from previous crises. Umm Zahir, again not her real tionwide revolt against French colo- the South would carry out pre-emptive Those threats have run the gamut backlash against his pursuit of economic The border crossing to Kaesong, which name, expressed fears shared by nial rule that erupted in Druze areas strikes against the North’s nuclear and from warnings of limited artillery bom- reforms. lies 10 km (six miles) inside the North, was many Druze about the many Sunni in 1925. missile facilities in the event of hostilities bardments to pre-emptive nuclear strikes, Pak Pong-Ju, 74, was unanimously re- functioning normally on Monday. Islamists in rebel ranks, including Nearly 90 years on, their country’s breaking out. and have been met with counter-warnings turned to the post of prime minister which The operating stability of the complex is fighters of the jihadist Al-Nusra Front future is being decided on the other “We will... establish a so-called ‘active from Seoul and Washington of severe re- he had previously held from 2003-2007, seen as a bellwether of inter-Korean rela- who are active just over the armistice side of the Israeli-patrolled barbed deterrence’ aimed at neutralising the percussions. when he spearheaded modest economic tions, and its closure would mark a clear line and for whom their breakaway wire and they can only watch on as North’s nuclear and missile threats quick- The US military said Monday it had reforms of state enterprises. escalation of tensions beyond all the mili- faith is heretical. divided spectators. ly,” Kim said. deployed F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to An apparent backlash from the party tary rhetoric. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 Disclaimer: Commentaries published Daily news egypt 5 by Daily News Egypt do not reflect the position of the paper, but the independent opinions of their authors. commentary www.thedailynewsegypt.com columnists explore Bassem youssef’s reactionary not progressive: investigations and sexual harassment egypt’s economic policy A scandal for Egypt Egyptian writers in major newspapers debated the recent incidents of Mohamed Salmawi sexual harassment occurring in Tahrir Square and how the phenomenon is In a desperate move to save power, It may be a short-term solution, re- Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reported in the western media. On another note, more than one commen- Egypt’s international airport in Cairo lieving the government of more energy tator has explored the recent investigation of the satirist Bassem Youssef. will close most of its runways for bills, but it is by no means sustainable. four hours each day from early June, Aside from actually making con- that they have brought this upon them- of “insulting the president”, Qandil as reported by Reuters. crete moves to solve the energy cri- selves by going to Tahrir Square and believes that such investigations The airport is the latest casualty sis, shouldn’t the government invest demonstrating with men. The New York are an insult to President Morsi of Egypt’s struggle to pay for fuel some time and money into improv- Times articles argue that there is a sinis- in a country that is supposedly imports. ing the airport, a tourist and inter- FARAh hAliME ter motive behind sexual harassment in heading towards democracy. If he As if to soften the blow, Reuters national investor’s first impression Egypt: to exclude female protesters from was in Morsi’s shoes, Qandil states quoted the Civil Aviation Minister of Cairo? At least, work on smaller curfew on shops to save money, only to the political sphere. Salmawi believes that that he would have immediately Wael al-Maadawi as saying: “The clo- aspects such as creating a managed backtrack a week later. And most re- the newspaper articles shedding light on ordered an end to the long series sure should not have any impact on air system that would help allocate ar- cently, the government raised customs sexual harassment is a logical reaction to of lawsuits filed against Youssef. traffic as the airport has seen a dramatic riving passengers to a designated on luxury imports in a basic manoeu- Mohamed Morsi’s failing administration The writer finds it illogical to reduction in flights, and runways had driver, saving passengers who have vre that misses the point (i.e. the need Salmawi cites the recent headlines of the in Egypt and the Islamist parties’ rejec- launch a crackdown on free media been kept open without being used.” just touched down the hassle of hag- to overhaul the tax collection system New York Times, including “Violence in tion of the recent UN declaration on whilst the president claims to sup- “The decision came after detailed gling over fees with taxi drivers. and widen the income tax base). Tahrir Square”. He criticises the frequent women’s rights. port freedom of expression and a study on the rate of work that had Instead, Egypt has decided to ig- No, let alone any attempts to re- incidents of sexual harassment reported democratic transition. According witnessed a huge reduction (in traf- nore the underlying problems that structure the economy, Egypt still has in the square and the recurrent nature The hassle of investigating the to Qandil, this observation applies fic) in the past two years,” he added. will plague most Egyptians this sum- no long-term economic plan and the of this phenomenon. He says it is sad Egyptian satirist to many more issues than Youssef’s So he’s essentially saying it is OK to mer in chronic blackouts and also government has fallen back on reac- that the square, which was at one time Wael Qandil investigation, describing the inher- shut down the airport sometimes be- manage to limit arrivals into Cairo tionary measures time and time again. filled with revolutionary Egyptians who Al-Shorouk newspaper ent irony in how the authority gen- cause tourism is down the drain anyway. at a time when the country is desper- Morsi, whose presidential cam- managed to topple Mubarak’s regime, is erally deals with opposition. The It’s simply a poor and lazy ex- ate for hard currency. paign was based on the Brotherhood’s now filled with brutal incidents of sexual writer concludes his article by re- cuse to ignore the real root of the Under Morsi, the government has 20 year Renaissance Project, has failed harassment and violence. The New York ferring to a recently Photoshopped problem, more frequent power cuts repeatedly made these ad hoc deci- to plan even a few days ahead. Times states that there have been 18 cas- image of President Morsi, allegedly caused by shortages, which are in sions, which seemingly are not con- Egypt should drop its shrill es of sexual harassment where women published in an American magazine turn ultimately caused by delayed nected to one another and stray far and reactionary approach to the were assaulted publically in the square. and produced by the president’s reform of energy subsidies. from a long-term economic plan. economy, abstaining from shutting The reports published in the Ameri- opponents. The writer condemns But it is also a reflection of the Egyp- The biggest ad hoc decision that has huge operations down when they can newspapers do not only focus on such unethical actions on the part tian government’s approach to the come back to haunt President Morsi is, cannot sustain them any longer, the brutality of the incidents, but high- of opposition groups, and believes economy: reactionary in every way. of course, the backflip on tax reforms and look immediately to gradual light the fact the Islamists in Egypt place After the recent investigation of that they are a sign of Egypt’s dete- If a problem crops up, a plaster is in November when the president an- reform using a progressive and the blame on women protesters, arguing satirist Bassem Youssef on charges riorating social ethics and morals. swiftly administered. If it leaks, the patch nounced a broad spectrum of tax hikes transparent plan. is replaced or stuck on harder, and so in the early hours of the morning, only on. In this case, closing the airport for to rescind this the next day. That is now Farah is a business journalist and a few hours each day is conceivable being used as ammunition against Morsi founder of Rebel Economy, a blog only because there is another problem, and has severely hurt any government focused on how regional economies ‘what do women have to do flights into Cairo have dramatically re- efforts at economising. are rebuilding after the Arab Spring. duced because of the political situation. At one point, Egypt also imposed a www.rebeleconomy.com with politics?’ “What is the deal with girls talking state. The exchange of ideas and ex- politics these days? What do they periences not only gave me hope, but have to do with political discussion also gave us room to share solutions in the first place? Each one of them and practical steps to escape the strange days… speaks as if Morsi gave her a bad mess some countries are mired in. divorce.” Some countries, like Egypt for exam- Your friend tells you a story about his modities stated today that the coun- That was the first tweet I returned ple, are going backwards on women’s cousin whose car got stolen, so he try has 10% more diesel than it actu- to after I spent a few days with some issues. I would so much rather we re- went to the police station, where the ally needs, and that the sprawling lines of the world’s greatest women. Fe- ally go backwards, till we reach the days police officer told him the name of the of cars in front of the gas stations are male activists, ministers, policy mak- when Hatshepsut was the Pharaoh of thief and said that he should be expect- proof that there is no diesel crisis. You ers and practitioners, military advis- Egypt and the country had a flourishing ing a call from him. True enough, the know that old joke of “If a really stupid ers, foreign offices officials, and UN economy, booming trade, and peace. RAnA AllAM next day the cousin receives a phone person went crazy, how would you figures gathered to discuss politics, But unfortunately we are only going call from the thief offering to give him tell?” No? Well, that joke is on us now. war, conflict, and peace. backwards enough to get to the days ment, I recalled the picture of the the car back if he pays him EGP 30,000. While the international news is run- The conference, entitled “Wom- when women were slaves for pleasure rose that replaced the actual image The cousin pays, gets his car back, then ning reports on how Egypt will under- MAhMOud SAlEM en in Peacebuilding”, was organised and child-bearing (that boy’s tweet keeps of a woman in parliamentary cam- receives a phone call from a thief asking go the economic apocalypse of its life by the UK-based Wilton Park, which coming to mind!). When raping your paign material produced by Islamist him if he found the car to be okay, if any- this summer, our government proudly would the alternative to believing lies be is an executive agency of the Foreign wife was part of your “values’ system” political parties, and the shameful thing is missing and whether he is satis- announces to the world that it is ready terrifying? And then the answer comes: and Commonwealth Office, and con- as our rulers seem to believe. Coupled 1.5% representation of women in fied with the quality of his service. This to censor the internet now, and will “Well, are you trying to tell us that venes around 50 higher-level inter- with the Muslim Brotherhood reaction the (thankfully dissolved) Egyptian happened in Cairo, two weeks ago. only need EGP 25m for internet filters. the Muslim Brotherhood, the rightful national policy conferences a year. to the UN’s Violence against Women parliament, and all were Muslim We are living through some Outrage against both the measure and rulers of democratic Egypt according to This time around, the discussion report and resolutions, we get the pic- Brotherhood “sisters”. strange days around here. the amount subsides when people do known DC-based un-biased academ- centered around women’s roles in ture of where Egyptian women stand And while they discussed increas- You wake up in the morning and you the math and realise that at this ac- ics like Shadi Hamid and Marc Lynch, relation to the UN Secretary Gen- in their eyes. ing women’s involvement in media- hear that Alaa and Bassem Youssef are celerated rate of currency devaluation, the force that emerged from the Arab eral’s seven-point action plan on Such a strong statement issued tion (given they proved more effi- being called in for questioning by the EGP 25m will probably equal $10,000 Spring, the organisational behemoth women’s participation in peace- by the Muslim Brotherhood denying cient at it than men), despair loomed prosecutor general’s office and you by the summer, which means that the with grass-roots operations, hugely building and the Security Council Egyptian women the right to be safe over me as I recalled the saying that are not worried. By now you have government will probably be send- supported, winning every election, can- Resolution on Women, Peace and from violence, the right to fight for a woman’s voice should not heard by figured out that the Muslim Brother- ing pirated copies of the cyber-nanny not control or govern Egypt, and that Security. The conference brought their right, indeed the right to be equal men; Islamists deem it “awra” and say hood cannot manipulate the law or software to the ISPs and hoping that Egypt is failing under their rule? AND together women to learn from, as humans. The Brotherhood deemed that it must be silenced. fabricate charges to save their lives. A would work. Other things $10,000 will THAT THERE IS NO ONE ELSE?” women to share with, and women the declaration to be “the final step in But then, I also remembered court verdict came out a few days ago get you in Egypt by the summer: 1) Two Hmm… to advise on lessons learned and the the intellectual and cultural invasion our Egyptian reality. I remem- stating that the instatement of the cur- apartments in Garden City, 2) a seat in On the bright side, Syria has appar- means to capitalise on successes. of Muslim countries” and said that it bered the role of our women in rent illegal prosecutor general is, well, parliament, 3) the entire governorate ently learned from our mistakes and is (But the Egyptian boy of the tweet would lead to “the complete disinte- the past two years and I was proud illegal. This means that, firstly, every of Wadi El-Gedid. Capitalists of Egypt, completely distrustful of the Brother- seems to be oblivious to trivial matters, gration of society”. It was a shame to and hopeful. I remembered the la- decision he made, every investigation this summer is your golden age. hood-dominated Free Syrian Army, be- such as half the world’s role in political life discuss this with women who advise dies taking the frontlines in the he called for, is now not legally bind- Think tankers and policy research- cause of what the Brotherhood have since the creation of humans.) their military institutions on conflict revolutionary squares of Egypt, ing, and secondly, that the president ers working on Egypt in the States do done to us. Instead, the anti-Bashar Speakers at the conference tack- resolution and are involved in peace followed by the men. Those brave officially broke the law. Faced with the not know what to make of all of this, Syrian secularists are now supporting led issues including women and gen- negotiations. It was also a great bur- women healing the wounded in notion of the official court-backed end nor what to make of the Muslim Broth- the Al-Qaeda dominated Gabha Al- der perspectives, engaging in political den to have to refute the notion that impromptu field hospitals, and to the rule of law in Egypt and having erhood’s rhetoric when they come for Nusra as the sane and fluffy alternative. dialogue, women’s role in economic Egyptian women agree to this atrocity covering the faces of the dead in a law-breaking president, our minister their monthly Washington visit, which It should be noted that one of the chief recovery, inclusive governance, and of a statement, after that mutant con- overcrowded chaotic morgues. of justice, the guy responsible for our is identical to the NDP’s rhetoric: Egypt supporters of Gabha Al-Nusra is Ha- promoting law and security. Steps and stitution came to pass. “You elected I remembered mothers leading rule of law, Ahmed Mekki went on TV is a democracy, human rights are being zem Abu Ismael, who sends his Haze- measures were discussed to increase him” and “I can only commiserate chants in marches, pushing their saying that the president did break respected, there are problems but we moon fighters to fight there, and has the role of women in mediation tables with you” were especially difficult men to join the struggle. Brave the law, but he trusts his good inten- have started a national dialogue, and announced that he personally would and peace processes, given the suc- to digest, but the amount of support young women helping fathers find tions. Through the power of his good only four or five non-influential par- like nothing more than to go and make cesses they have achieved in these ar- was overwhelming and these foreign their sons in secluded security de- intentions, the president will not face ties haven’t joined in, Egypt and the US jihad in Syria, but he can’t go with Egypt eas. Governments are on board with women seem to have a lot more un- tention facilities. I know what we charges, and the illegal prosecutor gen- have a strong and strategic partnership, this unstable, and the moment Egypt is this. I, then, get distracted by remem- derstanding of the crisis ahead than can do. eral will be staying in his post. And the the security of Israel is the security of stable again, he will. By then, hopefully, bering how our Islamist rulers view most Egyptian men and women. Maybe it is necessary for us to fun doesn’t stop there. Egypt, etc… Some of those think tank- the Abu Ismael militia in Syria will be a women’s roles as limited to submis- And while these amazing wom- have a culture revolution. Maybe Already facing daily blackouts that ers have confided in me that they feel real force and a major player, and when sive wifehood… and nothing more. en were discussing women’s par- the women of this country should will surely intensify by summer, our as if they are in Bizarro-world during Bashar falls I won’t be surprised to hear Stories poured in from all over ticipation in resolving conflicts in revolt. Maybe it is time we rise up Ministry of Electricity has announced those meetings, and the feeling inten- that they took over the city of Homs the world, the Liberian awe-inspiring war zones and planning disarma- to meet our oppressors. its plan to face this national crisis by sified when those same think tankers and made Abu Ismael its Emir. Maybe experience giving hope to the Egyp- ment strategies, I was contemplat- But for today, maybe that boy with announcing that they will send text meet with US State Department of- then all the Hazemoon people will tian and Columbian struggles, the ing how our rulers were blaming the tweet should get a good spanking messages to the residents before a ficials, who tell them that they believe move there. Let a man dream. Libyan women’s fight for inclusion women’s dress code for the epi- from his mommy! blackout in their area occurs. Faced the Muslim Brotherhood. Why? Well, and the depressing Afghani state. The demic sexual assault. with increasing lines in front of gas because they want to believe them. Mahmoud Salem is a political Norwegian giant leaps in promoting While they were angered by a low [email protected] stations due to the absence of diesel Why? Well, because the alternative to activist, writer, and social media women in all aspects of society and 19% rate of participation in parlia- Follow @Run_Rana in the country, our minister of com- believing them is terrifying. What? How consultant. www.sandmonkey.org

Published by Business News for Press, and Sales and Marketing Director Distribution under License from the Supreme Editor Chairman Chief Editor Deputy Editor Politics Editor Sara Abou Bakr Art Director Ramy Kamal Council of Journalism Maher Hamoud Daily news Mostafa Sakr Saad Zaghloul Laurence Underhill Arts & Culture Editor Adel Heine Abdel-Azim Saafan 12 Haroon St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt Rana Allam Circulation Manager egypt Business Editor Ahmed Arafa Tel: +202 37486853 | Fax: +202 37486936 Sally Kandil [email protected] 6 Daily news egypt TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 www.thedailynewsegypt.com Business

iMF delegation to ‘Daydreaming is never random’: arrive wednesday By Hend El-Behary

A delegation from the International tony Buzan Monetary Fund (IMF) will arrive in Egypt on Wednesday to negotiate the $4.8bn IMF loan with the Egyptian gov- Tony Buzan, also known as Mr Brain The invenTor ernment, said cabinet spokesperson Alaa El-Hadidy on Sunday, according to Reuters. of Mind Maps, is in Town To parTicipaTe in a Minister of Finance Al-Morsi Hegazy announced last week the IMF delega- Two-day workshop called “winning Through tion led by Masoud Ahmed, director of IMF operations in the Middle East, was set to visit Egypt some time this week. creaTiviTy and innovaTion: supporT a creaTive “Egypt is not going to get an emer- gency loan from the IMF, we are aiming spring in your organisaTion”. for the full loan, and we are not facing a ‘crisis’ in financing imports of essential goods,” said El-Hadidy. Ahmed visited Cairo on 17 March, By Mohamed Salah El-Din Can you explain to us the idea of confirming the IMF would continue mind maps? talks regarding the financial loan. Daily News Egypt spoke with Buzan in an The brain looks like a mind map that The government has said it is hoping exclusive interview to discuss creativity links ideas together; it’s like the map of a to raise foreign reserves to $19bn by and inventiveness in the workplace. city. Take the map of Cairo for example; in the end of this current fiscal year. “To the map you will find the centre of Cairo, increase reserves, we need tourism How did you become Mr Brain? the Nile, the restaurants, etc. It helps you to return to Egypt along with foreign Through having difficulties with to move easily from one place to another. investment,” said Hadidiy. “The gov- my studies. I’ve been taught how to Mind maps work in the same way. ernment has sought to accomplish by take notes in one colour. One colour reaching out to the international com- is one tone, which means monotone, Do brains differ from one country munity, such as through the prime min- and too much monotone equals bor- to another? ister’s trips to Iraq, South Sudan and ing. What the brain does in this case Brain cells are the same every- Davos, all of which can stimulate the is get bored, losing focus and shutting where: in Egypt, London, New York, economy.” down, and my marks started going Brazil, all the same. The government of President Mo- down, so I started wondering what The brain is the same as the body; hamed Morsi had reached an agree- is going wrong here, and thinking of if you train the brain it will become ment with the IMF in November 2012, ways that makes studying smarter, fit, it can be trained through educa- but talks broke down in December, makes memory works and boosts tion systems. amid unrest sparked by President Mo- creativity. I studied the Greek think- The Japanese have been number hamed Morsi’s economic reforms. ers, Egyptian thinkers, Chinese think- one for a long period; now Singapore Negotiations have now been sus- ers; all the great thinkers use their is rising quickly while the United pended for over four months. imagination, and direct their imagina- States is declining. “Actually, the government is not go- tion and daydreaming. Singapore is a small island with one ing to sign the deal unless it meets the million residents and almost no re- terms set forth by the IMF,” said eco- But isn’t daydreaming random? sources, but they learned how to use nomic expert Sherif El-Khreiby. Daydreaming is never random. The their brains, and now they are moving According to the Financial Times at brain will daydream about the future, up economically. the start of negotiations in 2012, IMF about the boyfriend or girlfriend, pro- chief Christine Lagarde said the organ- grammes, etc. You can use your imagi- How can Egypt follow the example isation wanted “clear plans from Egypt nation to make your life better by di- of Singapore? regarding reducing the budget deficit recting it and making things happen. They have to learn how to use their by increasing revenues, through reduc- Imagination is the source of every- brains, use their intelligence and look ing public sector subsidies including thing. Where do the pyramids come at their resources. The main capital subsidies on food and fuel”. from? Imagination. Where does the in Egypt is human capital, and human “Egypt must also secure funding

Sphinx come from? Imagination. capital is brains. Buzan Tony Courtesy of from other lending institutions as part So I started learning about all that. You have to train them how to use Tony Buzan: “The brain looks like a mind map that links ideas together; it’s like the mapMarkets of a city. Take theNo. map of Volumeof the Value(LE)loan terms,” said Lagarde.Trades I also started learning biology to mind maps, to read faster, to commu- Cairo for example; in the map you will find the centre of Cairo, the Nile, the restaurants, etc.Listed It helps you to159 move eas100,736,269- Prime467,478,106 Minister Hesham Qandil14,852 said study brain cells and how they work, nicate, to understand understanding ily from one place to another. Mind maps work in the same way.” in a recent interview on Egyptian tele- and the mind map looks exactly like and to understand misunderstanding. Stocks 156 100,507,361vision that221,222,100 “Egypt will be responsible14,848 brain cells. had their own kind of art, music, philos- thropists, poets, all focussed on the brains;PDBonds if they are used well,2 they can228,556 in assessing246,220,450 how to act and 2how to When you imagine something, it’s Do you think the Arab Spring can ophy, intelligence; the Arab civilisation development of human beings, all have achieve renaissance. Singapore had one spend the loan”. like a supernova, it’s an explosion of trigger an intellectual revolution? developed architecture, theatre, writ- a vision to create a better culture, a bet- millionBonds residents and became1 number352 “The loan35,556 including its own terms2 is ideas, the memory works through im- Is the revolution good or bad? It ing, education, educational systems; ter society, a renaissance or a rebirth. one withNilex no history, no resources,7 174,766no really a very510,092 good deal for Egypt,”97 he ages, connections and links. A picture depends; the revolution can be re- Rome did the same; and the Chinese Certain societies are dying. They kings and no beautiful art. said. “It will be repaid after five years is worth a thousand words and lines ally fantastic if it creates a renaissance. did it 10,000 years ago, and so on. need rebirth; they need renaissance EgyptOTC can definitely follow7 the same1,084,266 with a 1.1%6,401,374 interest rate.” 131 connect pictures and ideas; that’s how All countries in history have passed A kind of revolution that brings in mind, body and spirit. model as Singapore and the Greek so- “Current talks are just a way of the idea of mind maps began. through the phases of the evolution together academics, business people, The outcome depends on how hard ciety. TheyDeals must protect “the3 memory511,550 procrastinating5,898,664 until the parliamentary17 of human beings: in ancient Egypt they religious leaders, philosophers, philan- everybody works. Egypt has 90 million of the country”. elections end,” El-Khreiby said. Orders 4 572,716 502,710 114 Total 173 101,995,301 474,389,572 15,080 Daily EGX30 index performance Total Market Cap 351,969,060,509

Company Reuters Last Close Returns Daily Performance Turn Over Volume Market Cap. Market indices performance Sector Name Code Price Price Daily YTD 12-Mths. Max. Price Min. Price (EGP Mill.) Trade (EGP Mill.) Index Value Daily Ch. YTD Ch. Commercial Bank COMI Banks 30 29.85 -0.40% -13.65% 17.80% 30.18 29.56 17.11 573,136 17,898.91 EGX 30 5,057.04 -0.82% -7.42% NSGB NSGB Banks 28.05 27.47 -8.49% -21.98% -5.21% 29.90 27.02 9.529 346,868 13,314.95 EGX 70 438.45 -0.68% -8.10% Ezz Steel ESRS Basic Resources 9.21 9.10 -0.11% -8.36% 34.42% 9.23 8.70 7.47 821,183 4,949.14 EGX 100 731.95 -0.73% -8.55% ELSWEDY ELECTRIC SWDY Industrial Goods and Services and Automobiles 18.75 18.88 -0.42% -17.59% -17.45% 18.92 18.57 0.107 5,665 4,236.01 Markets No. Volume Value(LE) Trades MRRIDIVE MOIL Industrial Goods and Services and Automobiles 1.12 1.11 0.91% -4.31% -13.95% 1.20 1.09 2.26 299,875 394.24 EGX 20 Capped 5,785.85 -1.21% -8.77% Listed 159 100,736,269 467,478,106 14,852 AIC Contracting AIND Financial Services excluding Banks 0.48 0.47 -2.08% 0.00% -17.54% 0.48 0.46 1.067 2,268,777 256.62 Stocks 156 Market100,507,361 Brief 221,222,100 14,848 Amer Group Holding AMER Financial Services excluding Banks 0.55 0.55 -1.79% -14.06% -21.43% 0.56 0.55 1.21 2,181,884 1,702.23 PDBonds 2 Volume228,556 246,220,450Value No.2 of EK Holding EKHO Financial Services excluding Banks 1.19 1.18 -0.84% -7.81% 5.36% 1.19 1.17 1.682 209,292 998.76 MarketsDirectionBonds No.No.1 Volume352 Value(LE)35,556 Trades2 EFG-Hermes HRHO Financial Services excluding Banks 9.61 9.66 -0.82% -12.26% -27.42% 10.00 9.57 11.77 1,218,842 4,658.59 Nilex 7 (000's)174,766 (LE510,092 000's) Trades97 Listed 159 100,736,269 467,478,106 14,852 Pioneers Holding PIOH Financial Services excluding Banks 3.87 3.87 -0.77% -20.37% 4.31% 3.92 3.80 2.048 529,381 1,950.00 OTC 7 1,084,266 6,401,374 131 Listed stocks 157 100,508 221,258 14,850 Citadel Capital CCAP Financial Services excluding Banks 3.13 3.14 -1.26% -16.93% 5.37% 3.18 3.08 4.60 1,468,436 2,078.83 StocksDeals 1563 100,507,361511,550 221,222,1005,898,664 14,84817 Raya Holding RAYA Technology 5.30 5.21 -1.33% -7.95% -10.63% 5.30 5.14 0.333 63,789 339.10 GainersPDBondsOrders 2124 228,556572,7161,498 246,220,450502,71015,404 1,1031142 Telecom Egypt ETEL Telecommunications 13.15 13.17 0.38% -6.93% -6.33% 13.24 13.01 4.01 304,775 22,396.78 Total 173 101,995,301 474,389,572 15,080 Orascom Telecom Media And Technology OTMT Telecommunications 0.72 0.71 -1.39% 29.09% 82.53% 0.73 0.70 41.231 57,918,299 3,776.90 Bonds 1 352 35,556 2 TotalDecliners Market Cap 103 94,177 351,969,060,509195,387 12,870 Orascom Telecom ORTE Telecommunications 4.38 4.34 -0.69% 9.32% 10.71% 4.40 4.28 17.87 4,114,933 22,923.67 Nilex 7 174,766 510,092 97 Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals SKPC Chemicals 13.50 13.55 0.15% 2.26% -4.91% 14.00 13.48 4.164 307,260 7,103.25 UnchangedOTC 337 1,084,2664,832 6,401,37410,467 877131 Egyptian Financial and Industrial EFIC Chemicals 8.18 8.22 0.00% -17.14% -17.80% 8.38 8.10 0.91 110,858 569.66 Index Value Daily Ch. YTD Ch. AMOC AMOC Oil and Gas 68.51 68.79 1.12% -6.01% -23.29% 68.93 68.25 0.391 5,679 5,857.38 DealsEGX 30 3 511,5505,057.04 5,898,664-0.82% -7.42%17 Juhayna Food Industries JUFO Food and Beverage 7.87 7.88 1.42% 2.47% 79.50% 8.00 7.63 1.45 183,822 5,486.04 EGX 70 438.45 -0.68% -8.10% OrdersEGX 100 4 572,716731.95 502,710-0.73% -8.55%114 Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) OCIC Construction and Materials 237.97 235.19 -0.89% -6.80% -7.88% 240.00 234.51 12.375 52,616 49,581.09 EGX 20 Capped 5,785.85 -1.21% -8.77% Delta Construction & Rebuilding DCRC Construction and Materials 5.47 5.51 -0.54% -11.70% -5.49% 5.55 5.45 0.17 29,959 128.01 Total 173 101,995,301 474,389,572 15,080 Modern Co. For Water Proofing WATP Construction and Materials 1.76 1.77 -2.21% -1.12% -43.81% 1.79 1.75 1.018 575,813 184.62 Total Market Cap Volume 351,969,060,509Value No. of Palm Hills PHDC Real Estate 1.94 1.93 -2.03% -20.90% 16.27% 2.05 1.78 21.21 11,011,971 2,065.19 Direction No. (000's) (LE 000's) Trades TMG Holding TMGH Real Estate 3.70 3.68 0.00% -16.93% -8.23% 3.74 3.65 7.085 1,925,041 7,593.91 National Real Estate Bank NRPD Real Estate 16.81 16.96 -0.76% -14.94% -15.20% 17.25 16.80 0.44 25,674 66.70 Listed stocks 157 100,508 221,258 14,850 Six of October OCDI Real Estate 18.90 18.74 -1.26% -7.82% 18.38% 18.98 18.51 1.009 53,862 1,721.04 Gainers Index 21 Value1,498 Daily15,404 Ch. YTD1,103 Ch. El Kahera Housing & Development ELKA Real Estate 5.92 5.97 -1.32% -9.13% 35.07% 6.13 5.90 2.00 335,190 567.19 EGX 30 5,057.04 -0.82% -7.42% Decliners 103 94,177 195,387 12,870 Arab Cotton Ginning ACGC Personal and Household Products 3.45 3.44 -1.99% -21.82% 23.74% 3.50 3.39 3.634 1,057,779 929.50 EGX 70 438.45 -0.68% -8.10% Oriental Weavers ORWE Personal and Household Products 21.1 22.04 0.00% -5.41% 15.84% 22.06 21.10 0.01 250 1,983.60 Unchanged 33 4,832 10,467 877 Egyptian Tourism Resorts EGTS Travel & Leisure 0.91 0.90 0.00% -14.29% -16.67% 0.91 0.89 0.628 698,119 945.00 EGX 100 731.95 -0.73% -8.55% EGX 20 Capped 5,785.85 -1.21% -8.77%

Volume Value No. of Direction No. (000's) (LE 000's) Trades Listed stocks 157 100,508 221,258 14,850

Gainers 21 1,498 15,404 1,103

Decliners 103 94,177 195,387 12,870

Unchanged 33 4,832 10,467 877 TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 Daily news egypt 7 Business www.thedailynewsegypt.com

Free egyptians party launches Budget details released Subsidies, grants and social welfare benefits set to be cut campaign to reject new sukuk law im coming fiscal year By Islam Zayid increase, totaling EGP 34bn. While Party accuses government of being ready to sell egyPt’s assets to state military and defense spending Government spending allocated in for Egypt’s armed forces is also set Egypt’s budget for financial year (FY) to increase to EGP 38bn, compared stay in Power at the exPense of future generations 2013-2014 is set to increase by 5% to to EGP 34.3bn during the 2012-2013 EGP 616bn compared to EGP 585bn fiscal year. By Lamia Nabil projects on these assets, which they of national conscience or wisdom” on The new law allows only the prime for the current fiscal year. Revenues from interest rates on said will allow for ownership of the behalf of its leaders. “The real crisis,” minister and the minister of finance An official from the Ministry of government bonds are also set to The Free Egyptians Party launched a original asset via the “back door”. he said, “lies with the current ruling to identify the assets for which sukuk Finance said that decisions to alter increase to an expected EGP 151bn campaign to reject the new sukuk law government which is “ready to sell must be issued, something the party the budget were part of a broader for FY 2013-2013, compared to EGP during a press conference on Sunday. “Egyptians will not anything in order to stay in power at objects to. financial reform package, which 138bn allocated during the 2012- They aim to collect signatures from abandon their sover- any cost, even if it will be at the expense Saeed also added that the party would seek to decrease govern- 2013 fiscal year. both within and outside the party. eign assets, as they of people’s property and the future of “will not stand [passive] with folded ment spending on subsidies, which An unnamed official said that the The party is also hoping to gain the will not allow any the coming generations”. arms while passing this law” and that has been estimated to consume new budget would seek to decrease signatures of economic experts. group or government The statement also said that despite “the party will pursue this corrupt- roughly one-third of the country’s the country’s budget deficit to between However they are yet to decide sukuk representing common shares in ed law by all legal, constitutional or current budget. 10% to 10.5% of GDP, with expected on the procedures for submitting the to possess the Suez asset ownership, the issued law does popular means, in order to resist any According to the new budget, government revenues during this pe- signatures to the presidency or the Canal or any other not specify how to handle late pay- attempt by the government to put subsidies, grants and social welfare riod expected to reach EGP 451bn. courts, according to the head of the sovereign asset” ments of sukuk. up for sale sovereign assets of the benefits are set to be cut during the It was added that any postpone- party’s Economic Committee, Dina The statement said the new law Egyptian state”. coming fiscal year to EGP 177bn. ment of vital economic reforms El-Khayat. “The law allows sukuk to be issued also allows waqf, or religious endow- El-Khayat said that other countries The amount allocated for such ser- would have a negative effect on the A statement issued after the confer- to fund, say, the Suez Canal expansion ment, institutions the right to issue constantly used as examples by the vices in FY 2012-2013 was originally country’s budget, particularly on ence said that the sukuk law ratified by project, but this will allow for owner- sukuk, something which will allow for government in order to legitimise su- set at EGP 145bn, a number which Egypt’s subsidies programme. the Shura Council “contains a number ship of the original asset, the Suez Ca- the provision of financing for religious kuk, mainly rely on “revenue bonds” was later increased to EGP 183bn Officials said that the estimated of loopholes” in its current form. nal itself and in this way Article No.3 movements and their social and chari- which deal only with the revenue of after an additional EGP 38bn was al- EGP 300bn in savings predicted as a Furthermore, says the release, the can be bypassed,” said Head of the Free table activities “under a legal cover”. assets, leaving ownership of the as- located for subsidies, EGP 30bn of result of these reforms will be put to- law suffers from a lack of clarity regard- Egyptians Party Ahmed Saeed during The law also allows “issuing waqf su- sets themselves in the hands of the which was specifically targeted for wards increasing the number of fami- ing issuing sukuk for sovereign assets his keynote speech at the conference. kuk for an indefinite period” which government. energy subsidies. lies included in and benefitting from of the state, such as the Suez Canal “or “Egyptians will not abandon their according to the statement will allow She also added that Egyptian Of all government spending pro- the country’s various social welfare historic sites such as the pyramids”. sovereign assets, as they will not allow for “practically unlimited ownership saving rates are between 13% to grammes designated for the FY programmes, with tax exemption Article No.3 of the law prevents the any group or government to possess on behalf of waqf insititutions”. 14%, which renders it impossible to 2013-2014 budget, state pensions ceilings raised to include those mak- use of sukuk for “government-owned the Suez Canal or any other sovereign Furthermore the law does not re- achieve the proposed EGP 200bn and salaries are set to see the largest ing up to EGP 12,000 per year. assets used for public benefit”. asset,” continued Saeed. quire those chosen for membership of through sukuk revenues promised The party said that the law allows He added that the Egyptian econo- the Central Council for Sukuk to be by the government, “unless they are for the use of sukuk to own govern- my does not suffer from funding prob- Egyptian, opening the door for foreign intended for specific foreign coun- ment assets through funding related lems, but suffers instead from a “lack interference into Egyptian affairs tries or specific assets”. Drop in mobile phone users alex Bank Orascom telecom may Vodafone loses 300,000 customers in January, Mobinil oversees youth falls by 200,000 follow Orascom Construction entrepreneur industries festival Possibility that telecoms operator will be acquired by Altimo subsidiary Event provides young By Mohamed SalahEldin the EGX to publish details of the divided in two, both traded on the deal on its screens. EGX and and the Alexandria Stock people with networking Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) OTH issued a press release Mon- Exchange (CASE). opportunities and received an acquisition offer from day confirming the Sawiris Family The statement added that Naguib Cyprus-based firm Pascandal to buy does not have any influential shares Sawiris does not have any intention workshops to cultivate 100% of its shares. in the company, after the acquisition to sell his shares or exit the com- The Egyptian Financial Supervi- of its assets by Russian telecom firm pany in the mean time. entrepreneurial skills sory Authority (EFSA) sent a letter Vimpelcom in 2010. In February, EFSA approved an to the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) an- The statement confirmed that the offer by Qatar National Bank to Alex Bank-Intesa San Paolo recently nouncing a notification from OTH family does not own “considerable acquire the Egyptian component of oversaw the March Entrepreneurs AFP Photo that it received an offer by Pascandal shares in either Vimpelcom or Alti- National Société Générale Bank. Festival, hosted by the Egyptian Ju- Recent statistics released by the Ministry of Communications and Informa- limited, a subsidiary of Russia-based mo” after exiting both in August 2012: Orascom Construction Indus- nior Business Association (EJB) at the tion Technology showed that Vodafone, the largest of Egypt’s three service Altimo, to buy up to 5,246,000 shares, “They are therefore not in any way tries (OCI) is currently also in the KEY Career Development Centre of- providers, saw their number of users decrease by 300,000, from 39.7 million representing the totality of the com- connected to the acquisition deal”. process of executing an acquisition fice, in cooperation with community to 39.4 million in January 2013 pany’s assets, for $0.7 per share. The statement explained that operation by Dutch-based OCI NV, service and environmental develop- EFSA is currently reviewing the with the acquisition of OTH by Vim- which will eventually lead OCI to ment organisations from colleges and Recent statistics released by the Mobinil lost a total of 200,000 acquisition offer and has ordered plecom, the company’s shares were leave the Egyptian market. universities. Ministry of Communications and users, with the number of clients The festival provided participants Information Technology showed on their network decreasing from with the opportunity to network with that the amount of users registered 33.7m to 33.5m. thales group wins Cairo-alexandria railway upgrade successful businessmen, learn the de- on Egypt’s local service provider Etisalat did not record losses tails of business administration, in ad- networks decreased by 600,000 in during this period, as it did during French company granted rights to install electric signals at an estimated cost of $270m dition to taking part in a number of January, from 96.7 million to 96.1 January 2012 when it lost 100,000 workshops and open forums hosted million. Vodafone, the largest of users. Statistics released for Etisalat By Islam Atris for the purpose of cultivating and re- Egypt’s three service providers, saw showed that it currently had 23.1 fining entrepreneurial skills. their number of users decrease by million users on its network, as op- A high-ranking source within the The event also sought to educate 300,000, from 39.7 million to 39.4 posed to 23.2m during the same Egyptian Railways Authority recent- young people in how best to launch million during this period. time last year. ly revealed that the French Thales a small business through a series of Group company had won a bid to economic and social workshops. install electric signals along Egypt’s The conference hosted a number of Cairo-Alexandria railway at an esti- prominent businessmen and young mated cost of $270m. The Authority entrepreneurs, such as Rania Azb, Daily news is set to fund the project through a founder of the PR4 Public Relations recently obtained World Bank loan. firm, Hisham Heiba, president of the egypt The source, who preferred to re- Board of Directors of Orbis Invest- As a valued DNE newspaper reader, please main anonymous, said that construc- ment & Capital, and Mahmud Khateb, tion of the project was set to begin Managing Director of B Tech, who e-mail our circulation manager to activate next month. He added that a second gave speeches on the challenges facing your subscription bid would be held within the first half businessmen in today’s market. of the coming fiscal year to construct Basil Rahmi, president of the Re- electric signals along the Beni Suef to tail Banking Sector and Small and [email protected]

Assiut railway line, at an estimated Wikimedia Kawasaki Commons / Yusuke Mid-Level Projects office of the Alex cost of $330m. The contract for the A high-ranking source within the Egyptian Railways Authority recently re- Bank-Intesa San Paolo, said that the next project is set to be signed dur- vealed that the French Thales Group company had won a bid to install electric bank was “keen on overseeing all Subscription Period: Discount: Final Price: = per copy: ing the second half of the 2013/2014 signals along Egypt’s Cairo-Alexandria railway at an estimated cost of $270m aspects of the festival in order to fiscal year. provide our nation’s youth with the 1 to 25 daily copies: He added that 200 railway tracks a recent loan granted by the World estimated cost to the state of EGP required knowledge and skills nec- Six Months: 12% LE 458 LE 3.52 along the Beni Suef to Assiut line had Bank. This amount will cover only the 132.64m ($19.5m). essary to prepare them for Egypt’s Twelve Months: 14% LE 898 LE 3.44 been selected for renovation by the cost of administrative expenses, with Hatim Abd al-Latif, Egypt’s Minister marketplace, specifically in the small 26 to 100 daily copies: Authority and that electric signals payment procedures on the part of of Transportation, said plans had also business sector, whose development would be installed. Some of the se- the bank stalling the transfer of the been made to develop an additional will help solidify and strengthen the Six Months: 20% LE 422 LE 3.20 lected tracks are along the maritime remaining funds. 321 railway crossings at an estimated country’s economy as a whole”. Twelve Months: 25% LE 792 LE 3.00 railway, while others are located on Magdi Musa, Director of the Of- cost of EGP 400m ($58.8m) by the The festival ended with the Alex 101 and more daily copies: lines heading to Upper Egypt. fice of the President for the Egyptian end of the year, as part of a plan to es- Bank-Intesa San Paolo choosing two Six Months: 30% LE 369 LE 2.80 The source added that Egypt has Railways Authority, said that so far tablish 550 crossings throughout the projects proposed by students from so far only received $11m of the to- 46 railways had been developed and country by the end of the 2014/2015 each participating university to re- Twelve Months: 40% LE 633 LE 2.40 tal $600m allotted to the country in equipped with electric signals, at an fiscal year. ceive cash prizes. 8 Daily news egypt TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 art & CUltUre Art should reflect the date and Culture is fair game. events Contemporary art set to take over Downtown Music By Adel Heine When asked to name a few high- Bluenotes & Offbeat lights in the programme El Attar Cairo Jazz Club is preparing a The second edition of the Down- said that all was worth seeing, but town Contemporary Arts Festival did offer a few recommendations night of ultimate blues with Blue- (D-CAF) starts on Thursday 4 April. from amongst the performing arts notes, followed by Offbeat for For 24 days Downtown Cairo will pieces: some rock ‘n’ roll. Reservations be filled with performances, screen- Anatomia Publica, a contempo- ings, workshops, exhibitions and rary dance performance by La Cie are recommended. more. We spoke to Ahmed El Attar, Man Drake from Spain/France, “be- Cairo Jazz Club the artistic director of D-CAF. cause of the amazing technique and 197 26 of July Street El Attar is a busy man; he is a director, creativity”. Agouza, Cairo producer, playwright and art manager. Alice, a site-specific theatre show In 2005 he founded Studio Emad Eddin by Sawsan Bou Khaled and Hussein Tel: (02) 3345 9939

(SEE), a large centre hosting rehearsal page D-CAF Facebook Baydoun from Lebanon, “which will 2 April 9pm spaces in the heart of Downtown D-CAF is taking over Downtown Cairo with performances, screenings, workshops, exhibitions and more have its world premiere during the Cairo. “I realised there was a need festival”. Shaima at Saigon Lounge for proper rehearsal spaces when I When asked if he felt the Egyp- is the natural place for a festival be- Providing inspiration is also an im- The Great War, a live animation was preparing to stage a production tian audiences are ready for how cause it has the largest concentra- portant idea for El Attar: “An artist theatre show by Hotel Modern from Enjoy a romantic night with in 2004. I had everything in place but contemporary art has developed tion of venues in Cairo.” When asked evolves during his career; he or she the Netherlands, “because they are Shaima’s sultry tunes at Fairmont there was nowhere to rehearse; we abroad El Attar said: “Yes, but they if he is worried about potential dis- starts in small venues and grows into icons of contemporary theatre and Nile City. Reservations required. ended up doing that in my living room,” do not know it.” turbances to the programme in the bigger ones. Here everyone is on the even if the piece is 10 years old it Fairmont Nile City El Attar said. “It was a case of need be- “Audiences have lost the habit area of town that has often been the same level. An art scene has to pro- is still valid”. ing the basis of invention and so Studio of paying for an artistic concept. centre of political turmoil El Attar vide inspiration and therefore you WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT, a Nile City Towers Emad Eddin was born.” SEE opened its Free art is directly linked to access said: “Protests are one way to ex- cannot all be at the same stage.” He play by Iranian Nassim Soleimanpour, 2005 B, Corniche El Nil doors in 2005 and has several well- to culture,” he said, explaining that press yourself as an individual or a added that artists learn, grow and “which will destroy all your notions Ramlet Boulaq, Cairo equipped rehearsal rooms. Last year those who arrange this free culture group and if there are clashes people are inspired by those who are fur- about theatre and will change your Tel:( 02) 2461 9494 2,700 members used the rooms for a dictate what culture will be on of- may change their minds, but overall ther along than they are. perceptions. It is creative, simple, total of 18,000 hours. fer. “Paying to see a performance is people are willing to move around The foreign artists participating in effective; the true magic of theatre. 2 April 9pm El Attar is also the artistic di- a contract between an artist and an and come and see performances.” D-CAF are excited: “The artists are This will be the first time it has been rector of D-CAF. He explained to audience, even if it is a symbolic fee,” The subject made El Attar a little looking forward to performing their performed in Arabic”. FilM us why he felt the need to start a El Attar said. “By buying a ticket, an philosophical: “We have forgotten pieces for audiences that are new to El Attar will consider D-CAF a contemporary arts festival in Cairo. audience member expresses the how to express ourselves; society them. It is also good for their careers; success if audiences come and see “Seeing art is part of my develop- will to see the performance.” needs to learn how to say things dif- festival producers take note of who the performances, screenings, and Fallega ment as a theatre practitioner, and D-CAF is curated based on clear ferently, there are many other ways. has performed where and this could exhibitions, and participate in the Mosireen are screening the the same goes for audiences,” he artistic choices and El Attar said the Part of staging the festival here is get them more work.” workshops. “The core team has been documentary Fallega, which deals said. “Theatre here has been more organisers learned a lot from the showing people that that is also pos- At the time of the interview the working since September and since or less the same in the last 10 years first festival, held last year. “We have sible in Downtown. A public space government had not yet given any mid-February we have been up to with the Tunisian revolution, and is in the hands of a small group a larger administrative team, the fes- is also a space of celebration and support to D-CAF. “Last year we full strength. It is all about planning directed by Rafik Omrani. of people. There is so much happen- tival runs over more days, and the exchange.” did receive a little help from the and preparation; a festival’s reputa- Mosireen ing abroad that I wanted Egyptian programming is more spacious. We El Attar used some simple ground Foreign Ministry, but this year we tion depends on the artistic prod- 19 A Adly Street artists and audiences to see a well- also think the audience has learned rules while curating the festival. “The have not heard anything yet. I be- uct, what it represents and its artistic curated and technically supported along with us.” international acts need to fit with lieve the government should en- content. But it also depends on being Downtown, Cairo festival that would bring those per- The choice of location was never the main context, be contemporary, courage local initiatives instead of able to present that product in the Tel: (02) 23951386 formances here.” a question for El Attar. “Downtown and have what we see as quality.” only mainstream productions.” best possible way.” 2 April 8pm

Exhibition the delights of Khamaseen

Black, White and Gray The American University in Cai- ro showcases some mesmerising black and white shots by famous photographers. AUC New Cairo Road 90 Fifth Settlement, Cairo Tel: (02) 2615 1000 2 April 10am

The Sixth Sense 6 Contemporary Arts is show- casing the works of two artists Ayman Salah Taher and Ahmad Keshta. The collections focus on the theme of intuition. 6 Contemporary Arts Thoraia Abou Bakr Abou Thoraia 6 Salah El Din Street A typical Khamaseen day Zamalek, Cairo By Thoraia Abou Bakr cluding mosquitoes and moths, as an Tel: 02 27365772 added bonus. In addition, while the dust 2 April 10:30am You go to sleep one lovely spring day; blocks out the sun so it does not beat the weather is clear and not too hot. mercilessly on our heads this certainly Passing Faces You feel great and ready for the day to does not mean the weather is fine. It is come. You wake up and the world has usually hot and sweaty, with winds that Al Masar Gallery is hosting artist turned into a yellow canvas of doom. push you off the sidewalk. So, by the Kareem Al Qurity’s latest collec- Congratulations: you have witnessed end of the day, your hair is all puffed up tion, which is inspired by faces in the Khamaseen winds. and dirty, your nose is filled with hor- the crowds. Khamaseen in Egypt, or Khamsin in rendous dirt and you still cannot really the rest of North Africa, means fifty in see the other end of the pavement. Al Masar Gallery Arabic. The dry, stuffy and dust-filled Speaking of sight, it is extremely 157 B 26th of July Street winds usually persist for 49 days, and difficult to see anything on the high- Zamalek, Cairo that is the reason behind the name. ways with the abundance of sand and You can thank the Sahara for this de- dust in the air. The sandy winds make Tel: (02) 2736 8537 lightful present. Atmospheric depres- for very foggy roads that encourage 2 April 11am sions move the sands of the great accidents, so caution while driving is desert and blows it eastward, in the advised. To be honest, if you can avoid direction of Egypt, the rest of North driving on highways during a Khamas- Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. een storm, it is best to do so. The Khamaseen winds do not usu- However, while all this may seem Weather ally blow consecutively, so you have the depressing and suffocating not every- added delight of a dusty day surprise thing is lost. If you are a Sci-Fi fan, you Tuesday, 2 April since weather forecasts usually fail to can pretend you are on the desert Alexandria 23°C / 14°C predict the winds. The Khamaseen winds planet of Tatooine. Yes, the homeland have played havoc on the plans of former of Anakin or Darth Vader. So, prepare Aswan 41°C / 22°C colonisers in Egypt. It is said Napoleon’s the light sabers and have fun battling Cairo 31°C / 15°C troops were blinded by the Khamaseen the traffic, which becomes even worse Hurghada 33°C / 19°C sandstorms, and there are many stories than normal during these sandy days. Luxor 38°C / 21°C of how the various forces from Allied In conclusion, while Shakespeare and German armies struggled through warns you of the Ides of March, here Sharm El-Sheikh 33°C / 21°C the sand-filled winds in World War II. in Egypt you should beware the end Suez 28°C / 11°C The Khamaseen winds come bear- of March and the beginning of April. ing gifts: a hefty number of insects, in- Happy spring!