News Opinion

Discrimination Against Egyptians

Omnia Wasfy, Egypt, Saturday 24 May 2008

Most of those interested in the history of the Ancient Egyptians and their legacy, found in all the discovered monuments and the further excavations carried on throughout Egypt, will be familiar with the Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawas.

Dr. Zahi Hawas, currently serves as Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and Director of Excavations at Giza, Saqqara and the Bahriya Oasis.
Besides his books, his several television appearances with his Indiana-Jones-style hat on different channels like the Discovery and History Channels, introduced him to Ancient Egypt lovers all over the globe.

This man, who was chosen by the Times Magazine among the 100 most influential people in 2005, received many awards and titles throughout his career, of which the last was "being tagged as a terrorist" according to his words.

On Saturday the 17th of May, Dr. Hawas was hosted by journalist Hamdy Rizq on one of the Arab world's most popular shows, Al Qaheria Al Youm (Cairo Today). He has just returned from the United States and on the show he narrated how he was treated at one of the U.S. airports. An airport officer red-marked his boarding pass upon seeing his Egyptian passport. He was later asked to leave the line and left alone for a few minutes in a glass chamber till he was escorted by an officer to a room for a thorough self search. Despite being recognized by most of the passengers in the airport, Dr. Hawas was treated as a person imposing potential threat, based on the mere fact that he's holding an Egyptian passport, ignoring his international status among renowned and reputable archaeologists.

A similar incident occurred before at Heathrow Airport with Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The fact that Pope Shenouda III carries an Egyptian DIPLOMAT passport caused an outrage among Egyptians on both civil and government levels.

After 9/11 and further to other several terrorists attacks that followed, the need to increase security measures all over the world airports is quite understandable, yet, in my opinion this is an unwise implementation of such measures. Feelings of discrimination evolve upon such incidents arising a call in Egypt for similar treatments in our airports.

Discrimination towards Egyptians or Arabs in general in Europe and the United States, though unacceptable, can be justified. Yet, what I think can't be justified is discrimination towards Egyptians on Egyptian soil.

As an Egyptian citizen interested in visiting the different historic sites, I'm not treated as foreigners are on those sites.

Visiting the Religions Complex area in Old Cairo, my bag was searched, which was fine, but furthermore the guard told me not use my camera in there. Upon questioning that, the guard added that police officers might stop me on the assumption that I'm taking pictures to prepare for a terrorist attack!!!

What's the basis on which we claim respect from others when a civilian is being perceived as a potential terrorist upon the mere fact of possessing a camera and showing the willingness to use it?!!

Egypt, being a target for terrorists definitely arises the need for a strong and efficient internal security system, and as an Egyptian I do appreciate the efforts exerted to protect me and others, but, wanting other nations to be more sensible and wiser when implementing their rules on us, entitles a similar attitude by our own government towards us.

If we want to be respected, we must first respect ourselves.