Cairo: the importance of in-depth understanding

Thousands of Egyptians gathered Wednesday morning op Tahrir Square in Cairo to remember the revolution that took place exactly a year ago. The streets are calm. The thirty Dutch and Flemish students who arrived this week in the Egyptian capital can start their research undisturbed at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC).

Following events from close by

A lecture in the library of the NVIC.

The revolution put the Arabic world and Egypt on the map of international cultural and development organisations and the media. Even before the revolution, the NVIC had started a research project to map out the Islamic landscape. The Institute was therefore in a good position to follow the political developments and shifts in the role of the different Islamic groups from close by, and to report on these to Dutch diplomats and politicians.

'The ideal time to be in Cairo.'

For the students who started their programme a year ago at the NVIC, the revolution was a shocking experience. After just a few days they were sent back to the Netherlands as the situation in Cairo threatened to get compleely out of hand. The NVIC resumed the study programmes later in the year. Emilie Dekeizer, one of the students following the master's programme in Arabic Studies in the autumn semester, commented: 'This was the ideal time to be in Cairo. The year before, we followed events in the Arab world from our home countries, now we were actually here. You get to feel the atmosphere, you can buy the local newspapers; it's a completely different experience.'

'Valuable contribution'

The NVIC building after a thorough renovation.

The NVIC, founded in 1971, has built up a solid reputation in the course of the years with its research projects and conferences on archaeology, Egyptology, Arab Studies, Islam, Papyrology, Conservation and Heritage. In recent years the Institute has also been increasingly active in other fields, such as social sciences. This is of interest to a wider audience than only students. Director Dr Kim Duistermaat: 'The NVIC can make a valuable contribution to the public debate from an academic perspective. It is important for everyone, not just academics, to understand what is going on.'

More important than ever

A better and more in-depth understanding of current developments is highly important, and the NVIC can help with this. Duistermaat: 'Last Saturday, the results of the election were officially announced. Islamic groups have won around 70 per cent of the votes. Some people will see this as a threat for Europe, and a doom scenario for the future of Egypt. But is that really the case? Political scientists, historians, Arab specialists and Islam experts can help with understanding Egyptian political Islam, with formulating scientifically-grounded opinions and with putting developments in an international and European context. Institutes like the NVIC have a significant role to play, now more than ever.'

(25 January 2012/Marilyn Hedges)