 Scenes like this often come to mind when many Americans picture Egypt. A recent Egyptian visitor said that his country continues to carry on its ancient tradition as an advanced culture. |
When many of us think of Egypt, we think only of ancient Egypt and its legendary civilization that produced pharaohs, pyramids and great artistic and scientific advances. But the Egypt of today, as the Egypt of history, remains a leader in progressive living and education throughout the Middle East, according to an Egyptian pastor on a recent visit to Los Altos.
“Life is good in Cairo,” the third-largest city in the world, behind Tokyo and Mexico City, and Egypt’s capital, said Maher, who asked that his full name not be used because he is a prominent Egyptian businessman and Christian pastor.
During a Jan. 31 visit to Los Altos under the aegis of Partners International, Maher and wife, Violet, told the Town Crier that his country has by far the most universities, 25, out of the 22 countries in the Arab world. He said there is a strong Christian presence in Egypt. There are approximately 15 million to 16 million Christians among the 22 Arab countries.
“Egypt is the largest country and the most educated (in the Middle East),” said Maher. He and Violet are both educated professionals. He operates successful construction and tourism companies, and his wife has a background in dentistry.
Egyptians share their wealth and know-how with their less-developed neighboring nations, according to Maher.
An optimistic, energetic and talkative man, Maher said democracy is spreading throughout the Middle East, and people generally have more freedom, particularly in war-torn Iraq, where he has traveled on business.
“The Kurds can speak now, the Shiites can speak now. They feel like they own their country,” he said. On the other hand, he noted, “People are suffering.” The problems in Iraq stem from religious, not political differences. “Saddam (Hussein) divided them by hatred,” he said.
Recalling a Kurdish taxi driver who feared for his life while he drove Maher into Baghdad, he acknowledged that some are afraid. Still, he predicted Iraq “will develop into one of the rich countries.”
Maher offered a much rosier picture of Egypt, where he heads the International Travel Center.
In addition to its strengthening economy, he praised Egypt as “a beautiful country and very safe. Don’t believe anyone telling you about anyone hating Americans. They like Americans - maybe for the movies, I don’t know.”
Violet added that Egypt has a strong film industry and is known as “the Hollywood of the East.”
With the majestic Nile River providing the country’s lifeblood, virtually all of Egypt’s population is near water. Only 5 percent of the country’s total area is populated. The rest is desert. Maher said development of some desert areas is increasing wells have been drilled to tap the underground water.
The population is concentrated in a few areas, they noted, and about “99.9 percent” live in high-rise apartment buildings. That is why Maher’s construction business specializes in building apartments.
As a tour director, Maher suggested that first-time tourists allow a week to 10 days to visit the old churches and museums of Cairo before trekking to the pyramids. He also recommended Upper Egypt and the Sinai for interested travelers.
Partners International is a ministry that works to reach the least Christian areas of the world. For more information, visit www.partnersintl.org.
