What are the Egyptians doing?

In the time of COVID-19, when the world is busy trying to eradicate the pandemic and fight back its health and economic ramifications, Egypt steps forward to dazzle the globe with a golden procession that saw 22 mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens moved from the Egyptian Museum in the Tahrir area, to their new and last home at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat. The procession was described as “legendary and unique”.اضافة اعلان

Egypt imposed itself again on the world map in a stage that is sensitive at the domestic level, following the Suez Canal blockage, the fatal train crash and the crisis with Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam, let alone the spread of coronavirus. All this has been eclipsed by the show, and the country managed to be the talk of the globe.

The person who initiated the idea, its implementer, and sponsors all deserve a first-order presidential medal. Even if statutes are erected for them in a public square in Cairo, they deserve that recognition.

When a comparison in made with Jordan, it is made out of concern for our country, which is going through the same conditions as those of Egypt. We are still stuck with outdated and unfruitful ideas, as if we do not have minds that can think outside the box and find new ideas to help market Jordan to the world. Unfortunately, we insist on traditional plans and strategies, without taking advantage of all the capabilities available in this country.

Our approach is summed up in the dialogue lines: “How about we do this?” And the response comes: “Why not?”

We stand helpless against the coronavirus, and the state believes that the concerns of citizens are limited to the number of infections and deaths. Certainly, the first step towards economic and health recovery is to reduce the number of infections, but we must think beyond that, as it is not reasonable to be lagging behind the world when recovery is there, God willing.

I am not into harsh self-criticism and I do not seek to spread passivism and a mood of frustration.  I only want to stress that the world around us has become more aware of how things look today, and how they will look in the future. The world knows that creative ideas, no matter how simple they are, may be the key to salvation economically. Our touristic sites are suffering from visitor absence and lack of care and attention. This is the reality and we will pay for it later.

Jordan today is on its way to celebrate its first centenary. Our fathers and grandfathers have put their hearts into and employed all their capabilities to build the Jordan of today, despite its small size and scarce resources. It has evolved into a country of great political importance. The first centenary celebration is not an occasion to talk about achievements, but rather to announce plans to build on them. Why did we not work out ideas to present the Kingdom to the world. What have we prepared to dazzle the universe?

We are happy for sisterly Egypt for its excellence, and we would be happier if we saw it reap the fruits of this distinguished performance.  The country put on a show in which it proved it has the tools, minds, will, and finesse.

The Jordanian state’s constant interest in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs is driven by the fact that creative people are the ones who can come up with such useful ideas. But decision makers are turning a deaf ear to this message. Then why don’t we just import creative people if Jordanians are intellectually poor!