A mission in Iran, which we do not know

Apart from some restrictions imposed by the government on the media and communications, life goes naturally without any manifestations of stress or harassment against citizens in the streets of Iran. Women dress casual clothes with a variety of colors and shapes with a great use of cosmetics and “make-up”, but with their commitment to wear a headdress (veil) to hide either all or part of the hair.

The first thing that surprised me during my visit to Iran was represented in the extent of passion to Egypt shown by the normal Iranian citizens in the streets, and the extent of respecting its citizens and its revolution. I was afraid a little bit before this visit, and I imagined that it would be difficult to walk freely in the streets of Tehran and to deal with the citizens and sellers naturally, since I was keen to do so to know the facts away from the formalities and the meetings with the Iranian officials. Thus, I was struck how many ordinary Iranians were craving to visit Egypt, and how they welcomed me and offered their help to me because I am an Egyptian man.

In fact, this surprise was confirmed by Ambassador Khaled Amara, Head of the Mission of Caring for the Egyptian interests in Iran, during a meeting with the Egyptian journalist delegation. He said that the Egyptian revolution impressed the Iranian people; away from the fact that the regime believes that it was an Islamic awakening. He stressed that Iran has successful experiences in the areas of economic development, fighting against poverty, community development, and empowering women and localities, and that Egypt should take advantage of them all.

Ambassador Khaled Amara, after working for eight months in Tehran became proficient in the Iranian issue, through his good study of the conditions of that country, his interaction and intensive attending along with the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Tehran, despite the limited number of the members of the mission, and his excellent knowledge of the history of the file of relations with Egypt. Also, he has vision for the future of this file that is very important for both parties from his point of view. He considers that the former regime has utilized this file on issues relating to inheriting the rule in Egypt and has used it to send specific messages to the West, and that the Egyptian state devices need some time to develop the method of dealing and the formula of the relations with Iran.

Away from politics and relationships, what also surprised me was the number and area of public parks that are open for free to citizens 24 hours a day in the cities of Tehran and Isfahan, and the degree of cleanliness of streets and the great attention to make them look nicer, to increase the green areas, and to take care of trees, to the extent that made a large number of streets become like a canopy tent, with the regularity of traffic, in spite of being overcrowded at some times.

Who sees the streets of the Iranian cities that are filled with cars, buses and homemade products, as well as the attempts of the State that is besieged globally to achieve self-sufficiency in everything, make us convinced that the Iranian experience is worth studying and is worth copying and pasting from it the thing that really suits with the circumstances and needs of Egypt. Lets we leave the unfounded fears aside, and let us deal with the logic of interests that governs the relations between the States, for interests could settle and Egypt deserves the best.