Those who wish to leave.

This will not be as poetic.

I honestly don’t understand people who wish to leave Egypt and migrate to another country. To them I say, “what’s stopping you?”

Being a very whole-hearted Egyptian who loves Egypt, it is very hard for me to comprehend people who think differently.

Why do you people dislike the country? No, really. Didn’t you like Egypt during its golden days? And when you like something, don’t you stick with it through thick and thin? When a dear one needs help, do you leave them? Do you?

For once, don’t be selfish. This is a place that needs us. This is a country which has given us so much and the least we can do is return the favour. Maybe Egypt hasn’t done for YOU in specific, but it has done for your ancestors. And don’t get me wrong, this has nothing to do with politics or regimes. I’m a strong revolutionist. This has to do with me, and you, and us.

This is our future we’re messing with here. If WE don’t change, if WE don’t become better and BE the best versions of ourselves then who will? WHO will?

I speak to you, person who wishes to leave, will you be a different person in another country? Will you be more contributing to a land that isn’t yours***? For how long can you escape?

I’ve been away from Egypt all my life, it’s not nice. The constant worry, about how my family is, the fear that I’m not doing enough to make it a better place, my persistent urge to fly to the country at every happy and tragic event that happens. It really is a detaching experience.
If you wish to detach, ask yourself why.
Is it because you can’t find a job? But going to a new country guarantees the job?
Ask yourself. Will this benefit Egypt if I go? Are you going to make change? YES, YOU.

There are many reasons, you would want to leave, but just don’t make them selfish. This isn’t about you only. Think about the Egyptians who can’t find food or shelter. Do you want to see them suffer for the rest of their lives? No, the government won’t help them. They need the help of people, like you and me, and us.

Think about education. If YOUR child were to be educated in Egypt, would you feel completely satisfied? If you wouldn’t take it on your children then don’t think that others would take it on theirs. DO something about it. Don’t just leave the problem hanging there.

If your parents were ill where would you take them? Why not Egypt? Well, make Egypt a priority then! Don’t just rant about how hospitals suck here and leave. What have YOU done?

There are a gazillion ways to be a hero in Egypt. There are a million ways to establish yourself, just don’t make it about you. There’s nothing like living for someone or something.

If you don’t like something, do everything humanely possible to make it better. Just don’t leave it.

If, after reading this, you’re thinking,
“This is a naïve girl” or
“It’s not worth it” or
“What’s the use of this” or
“Hahaha what?”

Then it’s probably better that you leave.

*** If your argument is that you have no ownership/control over the land, or you no longer feel a sense of belonging, then DO something about it. When you produce and help and work and contribute, you gain belonging and control.