Life goes on for Singaporeans in Egypt despite proximity to conflict-hit Gaza

CAIRO: For Singaporeans living in Egypt, daily life has gone on despite the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the nearby Gaza Strip. 

While many of them are concerned about the crisis across the border, they remain invested in the opportunities that Egypt, a nation with more than 100 million people, has to offer.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Singaporeans living in Egypt are reminded to monitor the local news closely, observe instructions from local authorities, and avoid areas where there are plans for large crowds to gather.

CONCERNS OVER ONGOING CONFLICT

Singaporean Richard Tan, who lives in the Egyptian capital Cairo, is the newly appointed chief executive of Nile Air, the largest private carrier in Egypt.

While there are concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has led to a drop in tourist traffic, it is not so significant at this point in time, said the aviation industry veteran.

“We believe that going forward, it should not affect us too much,” he said.

Mr Tan, who was set to retire until he received an offer from his current employer, believes the Singaporean brand goes far in the Middle East. 

“There are ample opportunities, a lot of areas from agriculture, biotech to logistics, that they can certainly tap on,” he said, encouraging Singapore companies to explore the opportunities available. 

“Certainly, there will be challenges in terms of moving over here, getting licences, but the Egyptian people are very hardworking, very industrious, and very friendly.”

While the war in Gaza threatens to worsen Egypt’s sluggish economy, its tourism sector remains resilient.

“Egypt is very big on tourism,” said Mr Tan. “It's got great seaside resorts over the Red Sea - not just over the Red Sea close to Saudi Arabia but also along the north coast in Alexandria.

“So these are besides the ancient archaeological sites such as the pyramids, Luxor and so on. It's a very big attraction and it's very affordable as well as it has a long history.”

Cairo currently hosts some 15 Singapore companies and more are set to take root in the sprawling Egyptian capital as ties with Singapore grow. 

PURSUING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

But opportunities are not only on the economic front. Almost all, or 186, of the 206 Singaporeans staying in the city are pursuing studies in Islamic education.

Even as authorities ramp up their presence amid protests about the situation in Gaza, it is life as usual for Singaporean undergraduates at the Al-Azhar University, one of the most prestigious universities for Islamic learning.

Ms Anisah Mochamad Sandisi, a fourth-year student at Al-Azhar University, said she and her fellow Singaporean students feel safe.

“There's not much conflict going on around in Egypt,” she added. “We are here to learn and to be united, and at the same time to be of service to everyone here.”

Ms Anisah, who has plans to pursue a master’s degree in Egypt next year, said students like herself keep themselves updated on the conflict, and often assure their loved ones back home that they are safe. 

“Of course we are saddened by the news but we move on with our lives here,” she said. 

“We are very safe here. We just continue normally with our lives. We can go to school, we can be with our friends and hang out at places as per normal.”

MFA said that while Egypt is generally stable, Singaporeans should avoid travelling to its land border areas with Libya, Sudan and Gaza, due to military operations.

The Singapore Embassy and PERKEMAS, the Singaporean students' welfare assembly In Egypt, have been keeping track of the local situation and providing updates.

“They have been asking about our whereabouts very frequently, so that they know each and every one of the students' whereabouts,” Mr Muhammad Amirul Osman, a fourth-year student at Al-Azhar University. 

“We really think that PERKEMAS has been a good student body. They have discouraged students to perform any protests or follow any protest that's been held.”

He believes the situation in Egypt is stable, and that its military is strong enough to ensure the country’s safety amid the conflict across the border. 

“I think that it doesn’t change much, and I still feel safe,” he added.