Dr. Magdy Kamel ElHawary Writes:
At a time when Egyptian air and military forces move
to protect the security of the Gulf region and defend regional stability against threats and dangers, millions of Egyptians are asking with bitterness: how can such historic, humanitarian, political, and military support be met with harsh treatment toward some members of the Egyptian community living in certain Gulf countries and the UAE?
Egypt has never hesitated to support its Arab brothers or defend Arab national security whenever the region faced danger. The Egyptian soldier has always been a shield for the Arab nation, and Egyptian leadership has repeatedly declared that Gulf security is an inseparable part of Egypt’s own national security.
For decades, Egypt has paid heavily through the sacrifices of its people, the efforts of its army, and even economic burdens to preserve regional balance, driven by belief in a shared Arab destiny rather than narrow interests.
Yet many Egyptians living in the Gulf and the UAE today express concern and suffering due to practices they view as unfair, including rising residency fees, difficult procedures, administrative obstacles, and poor treatment experienced by some workers and residents.
This raises an important question:
How can Egypt remain a major partner in protecting Gulf security while some Egyptians there feel pressured and mistreated despite everything Egypt and its people have offered?
No one denies the deep historical ties between Arab peoples or the importance of shared interests. Nor should individual actions be generalized to entire nations. Millions of Egyptians also live in the Gulf with respect and appreciation and continue contributing sincerely to the development of those countries in education, engineering, medicine, media, and construction.
However, ignoring the suffering of others will not solve the issue. A genuine dialogue is needed to guarantee respect for Egyptian workers, preserve their dignity, and recognize their contributions.
The relationship between Egypt and the Gulf is greater than temporary interests and deeper than individual disputes, but it must always be built on justice, fairness, and mutual respect.
The key question remains:
Has the time come to reconsider how Arab communities — especially Egyptians abroad — are treated, in a manner worthy of a long history of brotherhood, support, and shared sacrifice?
