My psychological, moral and financial wellbeing have all been affected by the currents events. I had to close down my shop because I could no longer afford the installments I’ve been paying for the last five years to Akhbar el-Yom (a package offered by the newspaper to graduates and higher degrees holders).

When violence erupted following the recent political turmoil, I was robbed. Thieves stole all the mobile-phone recharge cards in the shop in addition to some magazines and books.

My psychological, moral and financial wellbeing have all been affected by the currents events. I had to close down my shop because I could no longer afford the installments I’ve been paying for the last five years to Akhbar el-Yom (a package offered by the newspaper to graduates and higher degrees holders).

When violence erupted following the recent political turmoil, I was robbed. Thieves stole all the mobile-phone recharge cards in the shop in addition to some magazines and books.

With the latest developments and the dispersion of the sit-ins in the neighbourhoods of Rabia and Nahda, Minya was set ablaze. Security forces continued to besiege the Shahin Neighbourhood, western Minya, every day, forcing us to close down our shops and kiosks because of the pro-Morsi demonstrations.

Eventually, I defaulted on the instalments. I asked Akhbar El-Yom for another shop in another area but they refused. I had to return to a half-a-square-metre street stall in Zukhrufiya Street, western Minya.

When I became fed up with it all, I stopped reading any newspaper – not even the headlines. I destroyed my digital satellite receiver at home and decided to listen only to the radio because it is more honest than the deceptive media and fake imams.

The current political situation is not new to Egypt, but rather part of an old pattern targeting the country. The late Dr. Mustafa Mahmud wrote about this in two books of his: ‘The Countdown‘ and ‘The Burning Tomorrow.’ One saying goes: “Arabs do not read; and if they do, they do not understand; and if they do, they soon forget.”

It is an international plot to destroy the Egyptian army, which can only be challenged by trained militias willing to burn down Egypt in defence of a wrong doctrine. The members of these militias have been indoctrinated to sacrifice themselves for the sake of an illusion, leading to a civil war between the people and the army, just like what is happening in Syria.

I refuse the dispersion of the pro-Morsi sit-ins, or any other sit-in, by force. Many young Egyptians have died for these rights and freedoms and we do not want to go back to suppressing freedoms on any pretexts.  Even the Brotherhood must be guaranteed rights. The rule of law is freedom’s guardian in Egypt.

Our future is guaranteed, God willing. We should learn from the Quran when it says: “… they plotted, but Allah (also) plotted; and Allah is the best of plotters.” So, whatever was plotted against Egypt, Egypt will not, God willing, collapse. Any surgery involves some bleeding and Egypt is now going through a critical surgery. It will soon stabilize because its people will not fulfill the desire of the West and the warmongers and there will not be a civil war as US Senator John McCain speculated. I expect the current government will soon announce a lifting of the emergency law and the curfews which have had the worst effects on the lives of those who, like me, work in the streets and in commerce. I also expect the government will guarantee a sound legislative infrastructure.