Allow me to take you to one of my deepest and most treasured dreams. A vision I see time and time again, despite all evidence of the possibility of it ever existing.

In light of recent events, I found myself saddened for my country. My heart breaks with every death, every reported accident, rape or murder. I silently observe people in the streets and listen to conversations, and my heart aches for what I believe can be a bright future for habibty Masr.

I’m not going to discuss politics, sociology, economics or statistics- I will leave those to their respective experts- but what I want to share here with you is the image I have in my head of Egypt’s future. An image that is bright and full of hope. Yes, hope.

I, like many of you, sometimes think there’s no hope. Today, I choose to believe otherwise and invite you all to do the same.

Please, clear your mind and allow me to take you on a quick hopeful stroll.

Imagine with me.

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Imagine clean streets, without waste, broken glass and animal carcasses smashed and pushed to the side of the roads.

Imagine flat roads, free of double-parked cars, broken and uneven asphalt.

Imagine trees. Lots of trees. Big, green trees.

Imagine getting to work or school on time because the traffic was good, as usual.

Imagine news of a car accident being a surprising and rare occurrence.

Imagine a girl, a lady, a woman, or a mother able to walk the streets without being looked at, without being touched, without fearing harassment.

Imagine illiteracy rate wasn’t sky high. Imagine our entire population could read. Imagine 90 million Egyptians with a good education.  Imagine the kind of society and community that would make us.

Imagine a clean Nile.

Imagine fairness. Justice. Imagine NO CORRUPTION.

Imagine the powerful using their power for good.

Imagine rich man, a much smaller gap between you and your employee.

Imagine not seeing little boys and girls begging on the street.

Imagine the sleepless nights you spent worrying about how you’d provide for your family are gone.

Imagine equality between men and women. Imagine women could be outspoken, strong and contributing to society, economy and politics.

Imagine peace. Peace between Egyptians, regardless of gender, social class, religion or political affiliation.

Imagine feeling accepted for being whatever you are, whoever you are.

Imagine safety. Safety for your mother, your son, your wife, your sister, your friends and yourself.

Imagine Egypt going forward.

Imagine tourism picking up again.

Imagine classes upon classes of young graduates joining the workforce and happily contribute to the social and economical well-being of el ma7roossa.

Imagine a helping hand extended from every Egyptian’s arm. Imagine the impact that will have.

Imagine no more broken streets, no more broken homes, no more broken hearts.

Imagine FREEDOM. FREEDOM. FREEDOM. FREEDOM. FREEDOM. FREEDOM. FREEDOM.

Imagine a bright, developed, educated, corruption-free, loving and peaceful Egypt.