International Baccalaureate Language and Literature 2013

Raven 14

Written Task 1: A News Article Passage for Modern Egypt

Ravenna Raven

Sequoia High School

December 16, 2013

Word count: 992 words

Rationale: 293 words

Rationale

I was inspired by the unique structure of Sonallah Ibrahim’s novel Zaat to write my written task. I found that the prose interspersed with chapters of news articles, headlines, advertisements, and blank pictures from the time period gave the reader an interesting context for the events of the novel. I chose to emulate Ibrahim’s structure in my task by writing my own news article passage, but to center it instead on recent events in Egypt. I used real events from January, 2011 to July, 2013 to write the article snippets and other content, specifically focusing on the ousting of President Mubarak, the transition to democracy, and the ousting of President Morsi. The quotes are fabricated, but the opinions expressed represent those held by individuals at the time. Although Ibrahim does not include images in his texts and leaves empty boxes in their place, I chose to include photos in my task to demonstrate the similarity of scenes with different contexts. I bolded certain words and phrases to emulate Ibrahim and highlight the contradictions present in the news reports.

This task is intended for those who have read Zaat and have interest in modern media in Egypt given the recent political turmoil. Its purpose is similar to Ibrahim’s chapters in that I intend to give a window into Egypt’s media and the events and points of view that influence the coverage there. However, instead of serving the plot of a novel by demonstrating the corruption in Egypt, it aims to give an understanding of the confusion and fractured dialogue between the people and the government in modern Egypt. I use language in the way that Ibrahim does to show how easily it can be manipulated and contradictory when it is employed by different sources.

Written Task

President Mubarak in January 2011: “I have served this blessed nation for thirty years. In recent days I have decided to end my term in September.”[1]

An American newspaper: Protests have continued in Tahrir Square this week following President Mubarak’s announcement. They started last month following a similar uprising in Tunisia. Protesters have put continuous pressure on Mubarak’s government for more democratic policies. So far he has made changes to his cabinet and promised to resign in September, but the thousands gathered in Cairo show no signs of leaving[2].

Protestors gathered in Tahrir Square Jan. 30[3]

President Mubarak in February 2011: “I have served this blessed nation for thirty years. Due to recent events, I am stepping down from the presidency. May Allah guide Egypt.”[4]

A British newspaper: Tunisia and Egypt played in the African Football Champions league April 3. Thousands rushed the field, resulting in widespread riots and military intervention. Both countries are currently transitioning to democracy after popular revolutions toppled their dictators[5].

Presidential candidate in May 2011: The lack of police response to recent jail breaks and rioting is appalling.

Official government press release: Egypt is at peace and Parliamentary elections will begin in November and presidential elections are scheduled for next year.

Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri takes office in December after continued protests force Prime Minister EssamSharaf to resign[6].

An American newspaper: Egypt has reached out to the International Monetary Fund for economic assistance. It is possible that their foreign currency reserves will run out by March[7].

A soccer riot breaks out at a game between the Port Said El Masry team and the Cairo Al Ahly team at their game in Port Said Feb. 1. Seventy-four were killed in fights that broke out when El Masry won 3-1. The police are blamed for failing to impose security checks on fans. The Egyptian League was suspended and no matches are to be held with fans in attendance[8].

25 percent of youth are unemployed in Egypt. Inflation increased significantly more this month than in January 2011[9].

First free presidential elections begin, Mohammed Morsi and Ahmed Shafiq top polls[10]

Government official in May 2012: The transition to democracy continued successfully this week with Presidential primaries. This is a historic moment in Egypt’s history. The country is poised on the brink of freedom.

A British newspaper: Only 43 percent of eligible voters turned out at polls for the first round of presidential elections[11].

The Egyptian National Football Team won its first game against Mozambique 2-0 in the first round of World Cup qualifying matches June 3. The game was held in the Borg el Arab Stadium in Alexandria. No fans attended because of the ban following the Port Said riots in February[12].

State of emergency expires for first time in 30 years[13]

Air conditioning unit sale

Prepare for the heat with a brand new, European-style, air conditioning unit

Reliable service from Air Conditioning Pros

Stores in Heliopolis, Dar al-Ahmar, and Al-Whali

Mohammed Morsi wins Egypt’s first democratic elections

Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi was named winner of Egyptian elections June 24. There was deep concern that the military would complete a coup by declaring Morsi’s opponent, Ahmed Shafiq, winner. In recent weeks they disbanded Parliament and severely limited the incoming president’s power. There were celebrations throughout Cairo and the country at the announcement of Morsi’s victory. He is the first Muslim head of an Arab state and the first democratically elected Egyptian president[14].

Egyptian official: The elections were totally smooth. There was never any danger of disruption, and Egypt has fully transitioned to democracy.

People celebrate in Cairo at the news of Morsi’s victory[15]

Masked gunman kills 16 Egyptian soldiers on Sinai Peninsula, strains Egyptian-Israeli relations[16]

General Assembly approves constitution draft that limits freedom of speech and boosts roll of Islam in the government. Protests by Christians, secular groups, and others ensue[17].

As a result of Sinai attack, Egyptian forces kill 32 in Gaza[18]

Protests calling for Morsi to step down escalate

Protests by members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo on June 28 in support of President Morsi[19].

Unemployment rates have risen steadily since ex-president Mubarak was ousted and throughout Morsi’s tenure as president. They stand at about 13 percent in the second quarter[20].

Morsi taken into military custody, interim government in charge

In response to days of protesting, the military ousted President Mohammed Morsi July 2. Many rejoiced at the news that Egypt’s first democratically elected president had been removed, but Morsi’s Islamist supporters continued their counter-protests. Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, is expected to become acting president[21].

Works Cited

Abd, Mohamed. 2013. Photograph. Cairo.NBCNews.com. NBC News, 28 June 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <

"Egypt's Economic Crisis."The New York Times20 Jan. 2012: n. pag. Print.

"Egypt Profile."BBC News. BBC, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. <

Kirkpatrick, David. "Army Ousts Egypt's President; Morsi Is Taken Into Military Custody."The New York Times3 July 2013: n. pag. Print.

Kirkpatrick, David. "Egyptian Soccer Riot Kills More Than 70."The New York Times1 Feb. 2012: n. pag. Print.

Kirkpatrick, David. "Named Egypt's Winner, Islamist Makes History."The New York Times24 June 2012: n. pag. Print.

Montague, James. "Out of Dark, Onto Field."The New York Times3 June 2012: n. pag. Print.

Munita, Tomas. 2012. Photograph. Cairo.NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 24 June 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <

Pitarakis, Lefteris. 2011. Photograph. Cairo.Sulekha.com. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <

Rudoren, Jodi. "Sinai Attack Test New Egyptian President's Relationship with Israel."The New York Times6 Aug. 2012: n. pag. Print.

Salah, Mohamed. "Egypt Hit with Price Hikes and Rising Inflation."Daily News Egypt10 Feb. 2013: n. pag. Print.

Shenker, Jack. "Egypt Apologises to Tunisia over Champions League Violence."The Guardian[London] 3 Apr. 2011: n. pag. Print.

Bibliography

Abd, Mohamed. 2013. Photograph. Cairo.NBCNews.com. NBC News, 28 June 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <

"Egypt's Economic Crisis."The New York Times20 Jan. 2012: n. pag. Print.

"Egypt Profile."BBC News. BBC, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. <

Ibrahim, Ṣonallah.Zaat. Cairo: American University in Cairo, 2001. Print.