Morsi´s first PM

Today , 25 days after becoming President , Muhammed Morsi has selected his first prime minister, Hisham Qandil , minister of Irrigation under the Governments of Sharaf and Ganzouri since August 2011.

An interesting choice with some pros , but also with some clear cons.

The pros as i see it , it shows the importance that Morsi gives to the Nile Bassin issue , it's a top priority and having someone as the head of Government who has in-depth knowledge of the issue is a clear plus. If Qandil proves to be a good diplomat, then this issue can be solved in a way that will benefit Egypt , and the region for years to come. 

I like the fact that Qandil is young , that's also a big plus.

The cons is the fact that he's one more technocrat , what Morsi needs is a strong government with a political agenda that will work day and night for the wast majority of Egyptians. Dealing with the basics , starting with giving priority to the basic demands of the Jan25 demands , bread , freedom , and social justice. This might only be symbolic firsts , but at least the issues has to be adressed in a manner were people feel that the government cares about the Egyptian people. I doubt that Qandil has the political clout to take on this task head on.

I also have problems with the fact that Morsi seems to prefer a weak government , after having complained over the Ganzouri government for monthts. It's only a strong government that has the confidence not only of the president , but also of the people that can make a difference at this point, and the appointment of Qandil indicates that the government will be nothing of the sort , it looks to be one more goverment of mediocracy.

Bellow is an interview with the new prime minister , whom i wish all the best , God knows he will need it.

http://youtu.be/8DZYbuiW8qI

مطلوب زعيم

Let's start this historic day on a positive note. Today is the innaguration cermony for Egypt's first truly elected president. It should also have been the very last day of the transition period , by now we know that it is not. We are still a long way from what some people has called the second republic.

What we know is that we have a president with curtailed powers , how curtailed will show as we move along. This is supposed to be a day of joy , and maybe in the future we will be able to look upon it as such. Right now i'm just happy that the one whom will be sworn in is not former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.

If Muhammed Muhammed Morsi al Ayyat takes what he says for real , that the people is the authourity that he takes his orders from , if he proves that he is "One of us" then that will help him in the upcoming struggle with SCAF and the state institutions that will be a common feature in the months and years to come.

Khaled Ali election rap

It's only three days left until the first round of the Presidential elections kicks off, and today is the last day for the candidates to tour the country. It's also the day when i start my election blogging. I'll try to give all 13 candidates some space on this blog in the coming days. Let's start with something light. A rap in support of the youngest candidate, and also perhaps the one closest to the #Jan25 revolution. Of course Khaled Ali , being a workers rights lawyer , he was the one behind the case for a raise of the minimum wage. Watch out for Khaled Ali's campaign manager somewhere in the middle of the clip. Enjoy.

Live Stream of Pope Shenouda's funeral

You can follow a live stream of the funeral of Pope Shenouda III provided by ONTV below.

Watch live streaming video from ontveg at livestream.com

Yosri Fouda's comeback on Akher kalam

Yosri Fouda made his first show in 3 weeks on his regular show Akher kalam yesterday evening. The guests are the same that was supposed to be on the last show that was taken of screen hours before it was supposed to be aired live on ONTV, the show was going to be about the interview with two SCAF members on the Maspero massacare among other things, that interview was an in depth show co-aired by Dream 2 and al Tahrir hosted by Mona al Shazly and Ibrahim Eissa.

The original Akher Kalam show was to have two guests, Ibrahim Eissa and Alaa al Aswany, do to pressure the show was canceled , and Yosri Fouda took a stand on media freedom , promise not to return to the show before things got better. Anything but the same guests on this comeback show would have been unthinkable. and that's exactly what happened.

A very warm welcome back to Yosri Fouda! Enjoy the show!

Bokra

Bokra feels like an atempt of doing another al helm al 3arabi , with mainstream artists like Kazem al Saher, Saber al Rabeieh and Tamer Hosny , but also more artists with an activist perspective like Rim Banna and Souad Massi.

2011 has seen a new genre emerge , revolution songs , this is not one of them, but it still tries to capitalize on that trend , but in the end one could hope that tommorow will bring a much better future. The voice and the mindset of the people throughout the Arab World has , and will change even further. That is the great gain of 2011 , the year of the Arab Revolutions.

The Maspero Massacre - What Really Happend

Over a month has passed since that Sunday, and i still can't look at the pictures from the Coptic Hospital or see the scenes with the APG's running over people without getting the exact same feeling of anger, disbelief, and hate.

The aftermath has not helped in curbing that feeling, on the contrary. The way it's been handled is nothing but a disgrace and it will change the way ordinary Egyptians look upon the 20 men that leads the country at this point in time. History will judge them harshly and the events at Maspero will be just as vividly known and remembered as Dinshaway is 105 years after the incident.

In support of and solidarity with Alaa

I want to express my full support and solidarity with Alaa Abd al Fattah , whom recieved a 15-day detaiment by the Military Prosecution at C28. Civilians should not be tried in military courts, full stop. The Maspero incident as such should definitely not be under the jurisdiction of any military court, while the military was an active part http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn the incident. This case symbolizes everything that is wrong with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, they have done a lousy job of convincing the people that they are the custodians of the #Jan25 revolution. They are the single largest stumbling block on the road to a free society , a road that was paved with the blood of the 865 + martyrs whom payed the ultimate prize. I don't have an answer to the question of what should replace the SCAF , i only know that something is terribly wrong in the state of Egypt , and it's a four letter word #SCAF

My thoughts goes to Alaa, Manal and their family.

Please read Sarah Carr's brilliant piece.