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On the last day of 2005, I really feel that it was one of the heaviest year ever in my life. It was full of drastic changes and events. On the personal side, I lost my parents in law in Jan and August consequently. It was really a terrible loss for us, I really can’t describe how my wife is feeling about it but I think you can understand what I mean. I also took one of the most difficult decisions in my professional carrier by quitting working for Pfizer Inc., the leading drug manufacturer globally, where I spent almost half of my professional life. The positive side of 2005 was that I started my MBA at the Instituto De Empresa in an attempt to fulfill one of my lifetime dreams. Although the study in such a prestigious institute is not easy at all, I was surrounded with all the support and encouragement that I have never thought I would have. More importantly, I came to know great people that I am proud to know: my colleagues, professors and every single person I met at IE. To all these wonderful people: THANK YOU for being the light in those long and dark hours, for being the exit when all doors are closed and for being the bridge that I am crossing from 2005 to 2006 full of hope just knowing that you all are around me.
On the other side, 2005 was unmatched in respect for natural disasters; tsunami, earthquakes, plane crashes and finally a one ton rock left its place that it was holding for hundreds of thousands of years and fall over a village in Yemen converting it to a tomb for its inhabitants.
Still political turbulence is everywhere, especially in this part of the world where I life; the Middle East. In Lebanon, 15 assassinations captured the finest political leaders. In Palestine, the endless story of unmatched power between children carrying stones against organized Israeli army with the latest weapons including tanks and Apache. In Iraq, it seems that freedom price is so high; president Bush admitted that around 33,000 Iraqi were killed by American troops, adding to those the innocent people falling every day because of bombing accidents during the past two years. I think it’s that this great country payed its dues fro decades to come and it’s time for Iraq to come back to life and reach the place it deserves among the international community.
What is happening in those countries made me believe more and more of the theocracy theory I cam across in one of the articles. It says that Israel was constitutedon a religious bases (Jewish country) ie. Theocracy. Therefore, it encourages the transferring the surrounding systems to a more or less the same direction to reinforce its presence. That was started in 1979, when US and Europe supported Khomaini to return and role Iran. The same senario was seen earlier in Lebanon and now is repeated in Iraq and going on an on. I wish I am wrong about that but I am afraid I am not.
As for Egypt, my home country, it was a tough year especially during both presidential and parliament elections; a first step in a long long way to freedom, hopefully not a red one. My personal feeling is that Egypt did not change since pharoes time, the same mentalities for the governors and the vast majority of the people; the only thing that changed is that instead of King or God at that time, now we have president and as the joke tells that all over the World, leaders are changed by people wish except in Egypt, they are changed by god’s wish !!
What I wish for 2006 is that more people will be safer, healthier and happier. A good start is that almost all the religious occasions for most of the religions are happening at the same period, these couple of weeks; from Hajj to Christmas lets hope for a more peaceful and prosperous year.
A final word goes to my family; my father, mother and brother. I am sorry for being so busy that I can’t spend enough time with you, but you are always with me, on my mind and soul. My long lasting friends that I tend to bother whenever I am in bad mood; I hope that I am as good to you as you are to me.
At the end, a special word for my wonderful wife: I know that this was a hard year on you and I hope that I was more of a support than of a burden. I pray that the new year will bring you all what you dream of and what you deserve.
Happy new year
Tarek
The wind of change blows straight, into the face of time
Like a storm wind that will ring the freedom bell For peace of mind
