At and around Tahrir Square, we speak to dozens of young people. What is striking: no one is counting on a job offer. They are aware that they are responsible for their own careers, with or without a revolution. Maher Hamoud (33) symbolises an educated young Egyptian who carved out his own path. He studied economics and now leads a team of seven economic journalists at Al-Borsa newspaper. After his advanced studies in economics, Maher started as an economic adviser at a media company. «Then I became a scriptwriter at the television network Ramattan. That’s how I ended up in journalism. When Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death, I was the only one who went out with a crew to gather reactions.»
As a researcher, he wrote scripts for documentaries, including one about illegal migrants crossing the sea to Italy. From 2004 to 2008, he worked and studied at the American University in Cairo. «It’s considered the best education in the Arab world. An AUC diploma opens all doors for you.» During those studies, I changed. I became more social. I used to dream of a job in an international organisation. Today I want to be something more, something that implies a political role. Al-Borsa, the economic newspaper, offered him a job as a journalist. Today he leads a team of seven journalists and writes a popular column. «I write in Arabic, often highly ironic and full of sarcasm about the economy. It’s something new and attracts our readers. Since the revolution, I don’t use English anymore, only Arabic.» His self-confidence soared when readers responded en masse the day his column didn’t appear by coincidence.
Al-Borsa is a very young newspaper. Launched as a weekly in 2008, it is now published daily. «After the revolution of 25 January, we held discussions within the newspaper about what we should do. We decided to take the side of the people, because poverty and human rights are the basis of the changes in our country. We positioned ourselves as the economic newspaper of the revolution.» Maher earns only 370 euros per month. «Colleagues from the American University easily make 1,400 euros a month. But that doesn’t bother me. I’m sure I won’t get rich as a journalist in the coming years.» He has also largely broken with his family. «In recent years I had little contact with my father, who was afraid of politics. They don’t know what risks you take.» Maher was present in Tahrir Square in January and February. «In December I received messages that my name was being circulated. So I moved for a while to stay with political opposition figures in the desert. I lived in London for a few months because I didn’t want to put my parents in danger.»
Since March, he has been back in Cairo. «We must free the country from corruption and a network of the old regime. Since Nasser took power in 1952, all democratic institutions have disappeared. Today the average Egyptian thinks that protesting in the streets is the solution, whereas it is only a small part of a complex system. Most people are still not ready to engage in real politics. A new systematic reform that builds trust does not come easily, and it will take at least ten years.» Does he want to enter politics himself? «No, I want to remain a journalist and be a thorn in the side of the politicians.»
This article is originally published by Vacature in Dutch and later AI-translated by South Push.