Call to serve: Message not only to Egyptian society (1/2)

This message, while dedicated to Egyptian society, applies universally, especially to Western societies where public stewards often seem to have completely forgotten who they serve—much like in Egypt.

I believe that, regardless of the job we perform, our goal should be to serve others. However, this principle applies even more to public servants such as soldiers, government clerks, and politicians. These roles require a sense of honor and commitment to the greater good, not only because their salaries come from the citizens but also because society relies on them to act responsibly with the power they hold and not abuse it. Let’s examine whether Egyptians meet this standard.

Where better to start than with the head of the Egyptian state—a dictator who refers to himself as President Sisi. Setting aside the fact that he seized power through a staged coup with the backing of the U.S. and Israel, let’s evaluate his policies to determine if he truly serves the people as promised. When attaining office, he asked Egyptians for patience, and I believe that patience was given to him.

Since taking power, Sisi has engaged in extensive borrowing, more than quadrupling Egypt’s state debt in just over 11 years. This figure is likely even higher when factoring in creative bookkeeping, such as outsourcing debt to state-owned companies. While certain initiatives—like extending the Suez Canal or building a nuclear power plant—may hold some merit, the bulk of the funds have been squandered on extravagant projects with more than questionable value. These include the construction of New Administrative Capital with a golden palace, the tallest building in Africa, and its largest mosque; a 136% increase in weapon imports, making Egypt the world’s third-largest arms importer; a “car city” with no clear purpose; and other ventures such as smart luxury cities along the coast or a costly, and likely very unefficient, desert reclamation project that uses enormous amounts of water with little to no benefit for Egyptian society. Meanwhile, subsidies for essentials like bread have been cut and constitutional obligations for education, healthcare, and other constitutional rights—like freedom of speech —are blatantly ignored.

Additionally, Sisi’s government has placed a heavy burden on the poor, raising taxes through increased public school fees and value-added taxes. The military’s takeover of private enterprises and a staggering 720% inflation rate throughout his rule, driven by reckless spending, all the while silencing opposition and more of the society driven into poverty, reveals a regime that prioritizes self-interest and self-enrichment. In reality, it seems to me that Sisi serves only himself, a select elite often composed of high-ranking military officers, and his puppet masters in the United States and Israel.

Turning to the Egyptian army and police, my experiences speaking with many of you during my travels have been largely positive. Even when I talked to you about opposing your government to join the continuation of the 2011 revolution—a revolution that was never fully realized due to the 2013 coup. It’s clear to me that most of you love your country and its people. Ordinary Egyptians, too, often praise you for protecting them from street crime and external threats.

In this respect, you are serving your people. But true service also means shielding them from other internal threats, and here, you have failed miserably. Ask yourself: Who poses a greater threat to Egyptians than your president and the military leadership that sustains his rule?

It is definitely not the civilians who speak out against the regime or peacefully protest in solidarity with Palestine, only to be jailed. So my question is, who are you, and where do your loyalties lie? Are you with the people or with a corrupt regime that serves only itself and its foreign benefactors? Soon, you may have to answer this question through your actions. Choose wisely.

To other public servants—government clerks and other state employees— understand the immense power you hold. Corruption in your ranks may stem from survival needs, but that is no excuse. It reflects a weakness of character that must be addressed and worked on. You are the backbone of the entire system, and without you, it cannot function. If you refuse to work for the government, the regime will collapse. Be courageous, as you were in 2011, and await my second message, where I will provide further guidance.

And don’t forget that Allah is all-seeing, all-hearing and the most merciful one!