Outlawed and Outspoken

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that trembled the congested capital of Egypt and its neighboring cities in October of 1992, the Private Voluntary Organizations – dominated by Islamists – managed to considerably lead the relief efforts within hours, leaving the incumbent regime afflicted with its bureaucratic inefficiencies.

The government’s own limitations in providing the type of crucial operative services at time of mayhem is a mere example of its declining credibility among the masses. Moreover, its response to this public embarrassment was even more austere – passing a decree to ban any direct relief efforts by the PVOs therefore forcing all aid to materialize through the government only.

But with governmental impediments still looming, the regime struggled to meet the needs of the victims in time which led to riots and posed as a mere reminder of the incessant exasperation that Egyptians have faced in their recent history.

Hence, it became apparent that Mubarak’s attempts to salvage his image in order to corroborate his grip on power had by and large alienated vital forces within Egypt’s civil society.