There may be no other leader in Egypt’s modern history who has built so much in so little time as President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, a 66-year-old retired general who took the reins in the most populous Arab nation seven years ago.
Described as a hands-on leader with a punishing work schedule and a knack for detail, he has overseen a dizzying array of mega projects that, on completion, could transform the country of 100 million.
The list includes an ultra-modern new capital in the desert, a dozen or more new cities, thousands of kilometres of roads, power stations, water desalination plants and giant solar energy farms.
But Mr El Sisi has said Egypt’s 'renaissance' – the word his supporters use to refer to the country’s overhaul – never received the attention or the appreciation it deserves.
What was required then, some speculated, was a new slogan to capture the attention of the Egyptian people while encapsulating what has been achieved in such a short space of time.
The New Republic
Mr El Sisi appears to have found it, although it is too soon to tell whether it will endure the test of time or resonate with Egyptians, many of whom are too preoccupied with the struggle to make ends meet in the face of soaring prices.
After several casual mentions over the past month, the official birth of the phrase "The New Republic" came in July when Mr El Sisi addressed around 50,000 supporters at an open-air stadium in Cairo.
The event was held to celebrate the launch of a programme worth 700 billion Egyptian pounds ($44 billion) to improve the quality of life for nearly 60 million people.
“I consider it [the project] as the enshrinement of the New Republic … one that commands military, economic, political and social capabilities,” he announced to the cheering crowd.
“I renew my pledge to honour my promise to launch the New Republic that’s born out of your glorious June 30 revolution,” he said.
He was alluding to the 2013 removal by the military of Mohammed Morsi, a divisive Islamist president, amid a wave of street protests against his one-year rule.
The New Republic is not the first catchphrase that the Egyptian leader has coined since Mr El Sisi rose to power, but it has the potential to be the one that will for years be associated with his rule.
Soon after his rise to power in 2013, Mr El Sisi sought to reassure Egyptians then living through the turmoil that embroiled the country after a popular uprising in 2011.
“Egypt is the mother of the world and will be as grand as the world,” he told Egyptians, playing on an old Arabic saying.
That feel-good catchphrase had a good, albeit short, run before it was shelved, but “Long Live Egypt!” which he began to use to wrap up speeches survives as a nationalist rallying cry for unity and hard work.
“A slogan had to be found for this era. There’s also the question of the legitimacy that slogans give to a regime,” said Jehad Auda, a political-science professor at Cairo’s Helwan University.
“’The New Republic’ is a good one. It’s cognitive. It’s what you make it out to be.”
Finding the right slogan for post-monarchy regimes in Egypt is a task whose importance cannot be overstated or dismissed. It fits in with the populist trait found in every government in the last six decades. Its propaganda value is vital, Mr Auda and other analysts say.
But, perhaps more importantly, the latest one signals the departure from the “old” republic, or the political system prevailing since the toppling of the monarchy following a July 1952 military coup.
The new slogan suggests that Mr El Sisi’s government will be expected to provide higher levels of performance in fields other than construction and effectively fight perennial societal ills like apathy, corruption and negligence.
It also gels with a key segment of the Egyptian leader’s political discourse; the supremacy of the state and its institutions and the necessity of protecting them at all costs.
Shady Lewis Botros, a London-based author and political analyst, said he saw in Egypt’s latest slogan echoes of the French republics established since its 1789 revolution, but new constitutional foundations and retooled relations between the state and business had to be laid down with the birth of every one.
“We have had our own republics here in Egypt, but the changes from one to another never touched the essence of governance,” said Mr Botros. “We will see in time whether the new slogan will translate into meaningful political changes.”
The announcement of the new slogan has meanwhile sparked a debate in Egypt’s media, which has focused on the thinking behind it and what it means for the country going forward.
“Announcing a new republic leads one to understand that there is dissatisfaction over the shape, policies and performance of the current republic, meaning the July regime whose principals were never realised,” wrote columnist Mahmoud El Alily in the popular Cairo daily Al Masry Al Yum.
In an article published at the weekend, Mr El Alily said the “thinking methods” of the new republic should have been laid out before its launch.
“And the most important thing is the clarity of vision in the decision-making circles.”
Using political slogans is not unique to Egypt or Arab nations. They are common in the West, although their use is mostly associated with election campaigns, like Barack Obama's “Yes, we can!” or Donald Trump's “America first!”.
In Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser, who ruled unopposed between 1954 and 1970, adopted “what has been taken by force can only be retaken by force” following the loss of the Sinai Peninsula to Israel in the 1967 war. The phrase injected hope and defiance in a defeated nation and lives on to this day.
Nasser’s successor Anwar Sadat coined the slogan “Nation of Science and Piety” to distinguish his rule. It is widely believed to have encouraged the rise of extremist Muslim groups in Egypt but is frequently cited today as a defining feature of his 11-year rule.
Sadat’s decision to send troops across the Suez Canal to wrest back control of Sinai in the 1973 war and his historic visit to Israel in 1977 earned him the lofty title of “Hero of War and Peace.”
The title survived his 1981 assassination by extremists and remains linked to his name to this day.
“It’s a smart idea to rally people around a slogan,” Negad Borai, a veteran lawyer and rights campaigner, said of 'The New Republic'.
“It rightly refers to all the mega projects undertaken by the president, but it will remain just a slogan until the benefits of everything that is being done translate into money in people’s pockets.”
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPECS
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyveGeo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abdulaziz%20bin%20Redha%2C%20Dr%20Samsurin%20Welch%2C%20Eva%20Morales%20and%20Dr%20Harjit%20Singh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECambridge%20and%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESustainability%20%26amp%3B%20Environment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%20plus%20undisclosed%20grant%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVenture%20capital%20and%20government%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
WITHIN%20SAND
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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