Dr. Bahaa Helmy Writes: The Al-Asmarat Project, an Egyptian Step Towards Global Standing

The opening of the Al-Asmarat 3 project is a new national declaration to the world of standards for building integrated housing complexes as an alternative to dangerous informal settlements. The scenes broadcast by the national and international media from the celebration of the opening of the Al-Asmarat 3 project. And what it includes in terms of urban and civilized planning of the buildings and the integrated housing units, ready to be handed over to the marginalized groups who suffered from poverty, deprivation, low levels of education and poor health conditions, living in tin-shack informal neighbourhoods lacking basic public services. Which made them dangerous areas both for their inhabitants and for society as a whole, are the best evidence of the renaissance that modern Egypt is witnessing; equipping the housing units with wooden and metal furniture and electrical fittings so that they become apartments fully equipped for living is unprecedented in the world in terms of thought, form, content, decoration and harmony of colours, which makes it a model to be followed. It is also a global example of how to move a state from the third world to the first world, along the lines of the Egyptian achievement in treating the C virus. We, and the world, have seen how radical the change in thinking is and the high standard of the services provided to citizens, in a qualitative and civilizational leap, through the urban community of Al-Asmarat, which includes, alongside the fully equipped housing units, green public spaces and service, commercial and health facilities. In addition to multiple sports grounds, children’s gardens, schools, nurseries, bakeries, multi-purpose halls, libraries, productive women’s projects and other services and recreational and cultural activities, in a refined scene of a dignified and safe human life instead of the shacks and informal settlements that were threatened with collapse at any moment, especially in winter and the rainy season, “and we do not forget the scene of the informal settlements and the falling rocks of Mokattam in Cairo before that”. Carrying out the Al-Asmarat project according to the highest quality standards expresses the thinking and policy of the state in carrying out its national projects. It also fulfils its strategy of raising the standard of living and integrating marginalized groups into society, in a manner consistent with protecting individuals and safeguarding their rights instead of leaving them in dangerous pockets. Add to this the presidential promise made by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to provide an apartment for every Egyptian who asks for one, fulfilling a dream and a hope that had been out of reach for the past seventy years. The making of this promise, which came as a surprise to the government, the citizen and the whole world, shows the breadth of the thinking, horizons and ambition of the political leadership, and its awareness and planning of what it wishes to achieve for the citizen and the nation, together with its determination to carry out all its promises. We do not exaggerate if we say that the achievements being realized on the ground with high quality and professionalism exceed the rates of implementation recognized worldwide. This promise struck the enemies of the nation and their media mouthpieces like a thunderbolt; they were shocked, which intensified the wailing and lamentation on the hostile satellite channels… out of their grief at the disappointment that befalls them day after day as a result of the progress of Egypt, with its great army, its valiant police, its white army and its honourable citizens in all jobs and occupations. What Egypt is achieving in the face of challenges, and the accomplishments and miracles being realized even in times of crisis, are bright, prominent landmarks in contemporary history that come close to the Seven Wonders of the World. The presidential promise to provide an apartment for every citizen is the most eloquent and powerful response to the conspirators, the spiteful, the terrorists and their financiers, and to the rumour-mongers. Work and production are our weapon for progress and for achieving the modern Egyptian renaissance that the world is witnessing, realized by national thought, will and hands that own their food and their decision.