Also, how it underwent transformation from a brutal dictatorship to a thriving Democracy in which it values achievements in Education, Manufacture and the classical arts. However, as is always the case there is another side to this compression. Students are obsessed by competition for the National exams at the end of high school, and those deemed non-achievers, by age 18 years, do not secure the desired jobs; late-Bloomers are out of luck. Therefore preparations for the high School exams are fierce. Furthermore, the big Korean conglomerates such as Hyundai and Samsung are family owned (the Chaebol) Companies. The Economist recommends more service enterprises, opening to foreign industries and more fun.
By comparison, Egypt (which was like South Korea less than forty years ago) has more fun-loving individuals, more natural resources and many can speak several languages. Its anemic growth combined with the explosive increase in the number of population (especially the job seekers) is a toxic mix. Egypt’s ills are many and varied. Tackling them and finding our way out of this deep hole will take time. But: can we do it? The answer is yes. Whether we have the patience to talk about our multiple problems openly and repair them poses a challenge that we must face.
Soon, we are scheduled to face a parliamentary election. I remain Leary of the result and want to postpone them. Three of my trusted friends indicated to me that what I advocate is not practical and that we must have elections to show the world that we are not going back to a military rule; of course what they say is not groundless I will be candid. The violent extremists among Egyptians have done immense harm to Egypt inside the country and throughout the developed world. Inside Egypt, they undermined security and stability; both are necessary to bolster tourism and foreign investing. Our image abroad has become tarnished, particularly during last year. We are perceived as being violent, unreliable, as well as incompetent and discriminate in our deeds. Many countries decided to avoid the Muslims among us.
Lately, whenever I get in the elevator in our high-rise I am asked “how are the Copts coping with the persecution of Christians in Egypt”? Lela Gilbert’s new book “Saturday People, Sunday People” predicts that Christians in Egypt will face the same fate in the future that the Jews had to face in the fifties and sixties. We must reverse this image. That is why I call for postponing the elections for one or maximally two terms to avoid a possible relapse. Egypt must then appoint a special Ambassador to explain why this action must be taken at present in order to enable the government to embark on repairing the multiple ills facing Egypt.
The chosen fifty individuals to represent various groups in Egypt, who are writing the new Constitution, can continue to provide the necessary checks and balances to the present rulers. This being said, it is imperative to replace religious representatives on that assembly by lay people, and to include more women..
Egypt is the country where I was born and raised. I wish her the best as she proceeds to this new day and new dawning. I would very much like to be a proud Egyptian than a hapless persecuted Copt.
_____________________________
Lotfy Basta MD, FRCP, FRCPE, FACP, FACC, FCCP, FAHA…