by Mahmoud Fouly
CAIRO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) — As Egyptians gear up to welcome the New Year, they are expressing their hopes for a brighter future in the face of the country’s economic challenges and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Zahran Ahmed, an Arabic teacher at a school in Cairo, voiced his wish for a year of security and stability in Egypt, along with a resolution to the Palestinian issue to bring peace to the region.
He also expressed concern over rising prices and called for stricter government supervision of the market to combat commodity monopoly.
Egypt is currently grappling with economic difficulties, including a shortage of hard currency, growing external debt, and high inflation, which have taken a toll on the living standards of its citizens.
The ongoing Israeli siege and bombardment in Gaza have further added to the pain of many Egyptians, who are hoping for an end to the war to relieve the suffering of the people in Gaza.
Abdullah Al-Nozahy, a manager at a medical center, also expressed his wish for measures to promote local products, reduce the trade deficit, and curb inflation.
At a local neighborhood in Giza province, vendors showcased New Year items, but Ibrahim Tamer, a vendor with three children, expressed his hope for lower prices in the new year, given the financial pressures faced by many Egyptians.
Meanwhile, retired carpenter Salah Fadel expressed his wish for the well-being of his family and peace in the region and the world.
Seeking to address concerns about rising prices, Egyptian Prime Minister Madbouly unveiled a plan to stabilize prices of everyday staples such as sugar, pasta, and cheese by placing them under government supervision and labeling them “strategic” commodities.
Many Egyptians are concerned about the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and are bracing for potential monetary measures by the government to contain inflation.
Despite the financial pressures, the people of Egypt remain hopeful and optimistic for a better future.
Ahmed Magdy Hegazy, professor of political sociology at Cairo University, emphasized the importance of hope in the face of hardships and crises, noting that people tend to adapt to new conditions and need to have a vision for the future to survive.
“Without hope, there’s no life,” Hegazy said.
