Let’s Start Respecting Our Community

Have you ever walked or driven in Cairo at 3am and enjoyed the amazing scenery, especially in Korba or Downtown Cairo, but then came face to face with a huge mound of garbage?

As much as what I’m about to write may seem to be a minor problem compared to what Egypt is currently facing, it is still a very important issue that should be tackled.

I have no idea why Egyptians think it is normal to litter in the streets or dispose of refuse in the Nile. Cairo is one of the oldest cities in the world and we, as Egyptians, should be the ones who take care of its cleanliness.

How would you feel if someone showed up to your house and just littered in every corner? Disgusting. They’d likely never get another invite.

This may sound cheesy, but you should think of Egypt as your extended house and you should respect it by at least not littering. It is the simplest of your duties as a citizen.

I cringe whenever I hear foreigners talk about how dirty Cairo has become and how some places actually stink.

Let’s look at this from the tourism perspective. If we are to encourage repeat tourism, then we should do what we can to clean up after ourselves and pretty our exotic city.

Tourism is one of our major sources of income, so why are we being very careless about it.

I usually never differentiate between social classes when I talk about issues of such importance. But I feel compelled to this time, because the situation has become unbearable.

AUCians are surely aware that there are a number of rubbish cans, some earmarked for recycling. Use them. It is neither shameful nor embarrassing to pick up after ourselves.

Even if we are to take baby steps in cleaning our campus and ensuring cleanliness and sanitation, we will one day have a campus we are proud of.

Our generation faces various criticism and prejudgments that bother us all. However, aren’t we the ones who are giving the older generation all the reasons to be critical? Think about it!

As the educated and privileged in Egypt, we should be raising awareness about this issue even beyond our campus.

Let us lead by example, here and throughout the country.Oh, and the toilets? That’s for next issue.