Author: Aly El-Samman

4/4/2012 In spite of Egypt’s complicated political, economic and security situations, Dr. Mohamed Fathi El Baradei, the minister of housing, has put forth a strategic plan for urban development. This is his gift to future generations who are certain to experience rapid population growth. Dr. El Baradei’s urban development plan challenges the short term thinking...

Criticism directed to our security authorities18/4/2012 During the last few days, I watched with dismay as large numbers of unruly supporters of Salafist presidential candidate Hazem Salah Abu-Ismail gathered outside the state court in Cairo’s Dokki district. According to Egyptian election regulations, anyone who has a dual citizenship, or has a parent or spouse with...

25/4/2012 One of the sources of Egypt’s greatness throughout history has been its legislative codes, one of the first in the world. Our modern civil code has been a source of law and inspiration for numerous Middle Eastern countries and our legal scholars have educated generations of Arab minds. Let us not forget such legal...

25/4/2012 Egypt’s Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission (SPEC) made the decision on April 14 to ban the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Khairat El-Shater, along with nine other candidates, from running for the nation’s top post. El-Shater, a man I used to respect for his intelligence and moderate views, proceeded to slam the SPEC and its head, Farouk...

25/4/2012 I dedicate this new twist to the old slogan to the wiser members of the Muslim Brotherhood, such as Mahdi Akef, former general guide, and Mohammed Habib, the deputy general guide, to remind them that they live in a country with millions of Christians, liberals and supporters of a civil state. As we redefine...

9/5/2012 National project for housing The Giza Governorate is implementing a three phase housing project in the city of 6th of October to build 11,940 housing units on 199 acres of land. Phase one is complete and of phase two, 85% of it will be delivered in 2 months. This project brings renewed hope for...

9/5/2012 On Friday, May 4, the chaos in Abbasiya reached its peak after five days of demonstrations by Hazem Abu Ismail supporters protesting his disqualification from the presidential election. The protestors blocked the streets leading to the Ministry of Defense and advanced on it, throwing stones. Earlier, ONTV broadcast a video showing men hiding inside...

16/5/2012 For whom to vote? To achieve the objectives that matter most to supporters of a civil state, such as the non-radicalization of religion and the protection of Copts and women rights, Amr Moussa and Ahmed Shafiq should reflect on the consequences of their both running for president. With both of these leading secular candidates...

16/5/2012 The top priorities for the next president should be to restore security throughout the entire country, then to stimulate production and investment. People are suffering from the absence of security not only in the capital, but also in Sinai, in Upper Egypt, and along the west coast until Salloum. When I say ‘restore security’,...

16/5/2012 Just a few days before the presidential election, Ahmed Shafiq finds himself facing accusations of graft from the opportunist Wasat Party MP Essam Sultan. He claims that Shafiq sold thousands of acres of state land to Hosni Mubarak’s sons at reduced prices. This is clearly another attempt by Sultan to destroy Shafiq’s chances to...