Here’s the latest from Ahmed Roushdy, our Middle East/Africa Coordinator in Cairo:
PTPI Community Chapters in Cairo have been busy with the current events in Egypt. The CairOdyssey Chapter worked in Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) where events of the recent Egyptian peaceful revolution took place. Out of a desire to bring life back to the square, the members gathered funds, bought paint, and grouped with other volunteers to clean and paint.
In recent days, traffic is once again flowing in the square, which was definitely not the case during the 18 day protest. The garden inside the square is now used to put up signs for demands from the current ministries, such as the resignation of Ahmed Shafik, who was appointed Prime Minister by President Mubarak in late January to bring reform to the country. Citizens voiced their opinion that because he worked for the previous regime, he should leave. Shafik resigned on March 3, 2011 and another Prime Minister (Essam Sharaf) was selected from the military to form a new government and handle the country during the transitional period.
The Pharaohs of Peace Chapter teamed up with Egyptair and welcomed 50 honored Italian guests (including the Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti) for a three day event organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism. Wearing t-shirts that read “Egypt in the Heart,” the group took part in a march that began at the Egyptian Museum and ended in Tahrir Square – a site that will be on the top of the list of places to visit during future visits to Cairo. The Intercontinental Semiramis (host to all PTPI programs in Cairo – and a favorite of Mary Jean Eisenhower) also sponsored the event, and hosted the 50 guests during their stay.
During the 18 days of protests, all international airports in Egypt were full of thousands of tourists trying to leave the country, thinking that the situation could turn violent, or fall apart if the regime collapsed. Egypt then proved to the world that it is very peaceful. However, there has still been an unbelievable impact on the tourism industry – which previously welcomed around 13 million visitors annually. It is slowly reviving, but not as quickly as we hope. It will no doubt take time before people resume their travel plans to Egypt. Many countries began removing travel bans on tourist cities such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada right away, and have now lifted the ban entirely. The US, however, is still advising their citizens not to travel to Egypt if it is not an urgent matter. All US public services in the Egyptian community are still suspended until further notice, including the consular section (which issues visas).
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
