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Who inspires you? Is the question I like to ask Egyptian friends. Who is the figure you most admire? Who is the person that makes you most proud to be Egyptian? Or who represents the best of Egypt? 
The question usually remains unanswered. Very few people come up with a name which would be recognized by the majority. Often it comes from a personal experience – of a parent or teacher for example – that is deeply felt but has no wider resonance.
When I put the question to women the result is even greater puzzlement. Maybe because it is so puzzling for women to define what their own role in society is, let alone find a role model. The role traditionally ascribed, as the most basic definition, is that of wife and mother. But that comes nowhere near describing the full complexity of a modern, educated woman in Egypt and the many identities she combines in the course of her life.
When I ask my question: who inspires you?
I am secretly hoping that someone will name an artist of some kind. Not a political leader or a war hero. Not a football star or a business tycoon. Only artists can truly inspire a nation – through poetry, art, music, dance, film. And of all the artists who have helped inspire and uplift Egypt, there is no doubt in my mind that the greatest has been Umm Kalthoum.
Could it be that the best of Egypt is represented by a woman? A woman who was nationally adored and revered for her expression of the depths of the human soul?
This idea of mine is deeply unfashionable with modern young Egyptians, who are mildly irritated to be reminded of a figure belonging to a long lost past. No modern young Egyptian woman wants to take Umm Kalthoum as a role model. But the point I am making is: measure the distance between her time and ours.
Who now expresses the depths of the human soul?
Who now gives a woman the chance to sing of such things in public and to cause the entire country, on the first Thursday of every month, to gather spellbound around the radio set in a national ritual of homage to her voice? Where did Egypt, in its national life, cease to treasure and value women, and the precious gifts they bring?
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Map showing UK government action to empower women across the globe.
Dear James,
in the 1st chapter of your report who ask your Egyptian friends: “…Who inspires you ?”.In the next chapter you ‘ve asked us all – the readers -the same question.
Well the answer to is very easy : 1.st :Mrs. Jihan Al-Sadat, the wife of former Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat. She was NO politician , neither a war-hero or football star.
But she gave us all , esp. in the 70′ies an extraordinary example, of what women can do successfully in the so-called “Social – Level” or “Area”. E.g. : A better education for Egyptian girls or better working conditions for Egyptian women.
The 2nd. woman is an artist : Kate Bush. Not only because of her outsatnding successfull long-term career , but also ’cause of her love for Egypt . Take her masterpiece – album “Never for Ever”,
1980. There ‘s – as another example – a song called “Egypt” on the track list. `Till today I ‘ve never heard any artist singing and describing Egypt by such sensitive words. BW, Ingo-Steven Wais, Stuittgart
Dear James,
sorry- but I had a pc-crash.
So just to conclude: I do agree to you that only artists are able to inspire other people. But in re. of Mrs. Jihan Sadat you shoud not forget : What is the definition of an artist ? For, esp. in the 1970 ‘s
she surely needs to handle “THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE”.
In other words: HOW and WHEN is it the best to invent this school-reform (for girls) ? Or on which way can I convience this company to employ women too ? Last but not least : She published also 2 remarkable books.
Finally I don ‘t think that I do have sthg. more to write /explain why I ‘ve mentioned Kate Bush. Esp. after her outstanding performance at the CLOSING CEREMONY of the last year Olympics in London. 33 years after releasing her 1st. No. 1 Hit-Single (in the UK as well as in Germany) “Wuthering Heights”.
Best wishes, Ingo-Steven
Dear Mr Watt,
I have tried to email you but my email is rejected saying The recipient’s mailbox is full and can’t accept messages now
I wonder if you can help me. I am a British Citizen living at 3 Ekhnaton Street, Luxor with my Christian Egyptian husband Youhanna Said Hakim.
I also live at 21, Sharps Field, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9UF, UK.
We have been civilly married for 2 years and in July 2012 we were married in our church in Luxor.
I run my own internet based business (GoCruise) which i operate from both homes.
Youhanna applied for a tourist visa in 2010 but was refused on the grounds that the embassy believed his letter of employment was fraudulent. I did appeal in the UK but, was told there was no right of appeal, resulting in a 10 year ban! His letter of employment was and still is totally legitimate and we are still trying to fight our case.
The visa process is very complex therefore I’ve put it all in the hands of Sunrise Solicitors in London (00 44 20 8542 4428) which is costing me much money and taking too much time. My local MP Rt Hon Mr Hugh Robertson (00 44 1622 851616), in the UK is also involved. Mr Robertson said as we are now married Youhanna has every right to reapply for a visa with no 10 year ban. Which confuses us as he has this stamp in his old passport.
We were going to register our marriage in Cairo early February and at the same time with the Egyptian embassy, in order to try to obtain a family visit visa for Youhanna to the UK. But with all the troubles there we have been unable to go safely.
This is a huge predicament for me as I have to divide my time between the UK without my husband and in Egypt without my 17 year old son.
As a British Citizen and given the severe problems in Egypt please can you advise me on my rights and what can be done to help.
We will be travelling to Cairo towards the end of March.
First, we need to translate our marriage document please can you tell me the best translator to use, as there are many in Cairo?
Second, we need to register our marriage at the Cathedral and then with the Embassy. Please can you tell me where in the embassy we have to do this and do we need to make an appointment, if so with whom?
Lastly, we would like to speak with someone who can help us obtain a family visit visa to the UK. Is there a number we can call to make an appointment. Basically who do we need to see?
Please is there any way you can help my Husband to get a UK family visit visa or help us in any way?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest regards.
Mrs Tina Hammond
Dear James,
pls. allow me the following question: “What inspires you ?” is your first report at all, which is published twice amongst the same name ? Could you pls. tell me why ?
Bw, Ingo-Steven