Feature: The Libyan Community in Cairo

“Never, in a million years, would I have imagined fleeing away from my country… the only home I’ve ever known,” Sufian Kamel, 58, said.

            Since the February 17^th Libyan Revolution, Libyan refugees have been gradually increasing, not only in neighboring countries but around the world. Egypt has recently become the safe haven and shelter for many Libyans who ran away from the warzone that slowly stole away their lives from them.

            “Besides it being the closest country, especially to the eastern side of Libya, it has always felt like home to us even on vacations,” said Kamel. “Egypt is also very affordable for us unlike many countries that will rip us off the money we were left with,” she added.

            Many Libyans in Cairo who are familiar with each other or met in Cairo in similar circumstances have formed a unity where they meet up at least once a week and vow to help one another when one of them is in need of any sort of help. Siham Faraj said, “We choose to meet at someone’s house every Friday to revive our Libyan traditions and culture. We drink ‘shahee w haleeb’ (tea with milk) along with ka’ak (Libyan cookies) and we enjoy our Libyan music while watching our girls dance just like the old times in Benghazi.”

            Faraj’s family fled Libya midst the fighting between the Libyan army and IS. “We left early Ramadan of 2014. I couldn’t risk my 4 children’s lives anymore. The easiest and most possible option was Cairo,” said Faraj with a sorrow look on her face.

            There are numerous Libyan families that migrated to Egypt for various reasons, pre and post the Libyan Revolution. “We feel at home because many of our family, friends and neighbors are also here with us. Bumping into them at shopping malls or reuniting for lunch or evening gatherings allows us to share our sorrows and problems and not feel alone,” said Kamel. “Our migration taught us that during such hard times we’re all one big family. When one of us is in need, we’re all lending a hand for help with what we could help,” he added with a slight smile on his face and teary eyes.

            The number of the Libyan community in Cairo has been raised and multiplied by two since the Libyan crisis has emerged. The majority of the Libyan community chooses to reside in the eastern side of Cairo – mostly near Nasr City and Rehab city/compound. This allows them to communicate easily and casually bump into each other in the streets or in the malls, restaurants, etc.

Faraj said that “in Benghazi, we all knew each other and we ran into people we know on the daily, either on the streets, at work, in gatherings or while running errands. In Cairo, it feels less lonely than any other city because we still bump into some of these people the same way.”

Part of the Libyan culture is the Libyan green or red tea, referred to as “tassa hamra” or “tassa khadhra” meaning red cup or green cup, as well as their famous pastries that are devoured daily and loved by the population. Both Kamel and Faraj agreed that they both enjoy their family or friends’ gatherings with the mentioned food. “Without the ‘tassa hamra’ the sitting would be incomplete,” said Kamel, “It is a must when Libyans gather.”

Many of the Libyans residing in Cairo are not employed because they have left their businesses or job positions back in their hometowns in Libya. Just like those people, Faraj mentioned the financial crisis she went through six months after settling in Cairo. “The girls always want to go out, and they all want pocket money, shopping money and food money almost every day,” said Faraj, “I don’t want them to feel like their lives changed to the worse so I can never refuse their requests,” she added.

As a hardworking, caring mother, Faraj had to make money because she was running out of the budget she made for her trip to Cairo, thinking she will be back in her home in Benghazi by the beginning of her children’s academic year in September 2014. By November 2014, Faraj had to find a job. “I never thought I will be put in this situation, but when I was, I faced it,” said Faraj with a smile of courage and strength shown in her eyes. “The only possible income I could get in Cairo was from cooking Libyan food for those having events or weddings or even gatherings,” stated Faraj.

Faraj started cooking meals and pastries for those who made orders for big events for a good amount of people. She worked hard for days to get the food ready and exact on time. Even though her daughters were not happy or used to her new job, they highly appreciated her efforts to keep them on the same level of life they were used to. Faraj’s husband was absent so she was the father and the mother of her family. “It wasn’t easy moving here all by myself. I never expected to build a life elsewhere; everything happened unexpectedly but went smooth, thank god,” said Faraj with a frown on her face.

“I am just trying to survive until things get better and I go back to my city, my house and my life,” cried Faraj, “but I’m grateful, I really am. People here are helpful and make us feel at home, at all times.”

On the other hand, Kamel, the well-off Libyan businessman has been residing in Cairo since October 2011, post the February 17^th Revolution. “I moved here to keep my children safe and have them continue their studies,” Kamel said, “I bought a house here in 2008 that I never thought I would use, but thank god I bought it because it was the place we ran to for safety and survival.”

Kamel, as many other Libyan men remain unemployed but for different reasons; Kamel doesn’t need a job yet isn’t used to being free at all times. “If you ask me how I spent the past four years I will tell you I don’t know. I was always a busy man,” said Kamel, “I have farms, employees and responsibilities that kept me busy from day to night, daily. Now, I wake up dreading the days only hoping to go back to my old life.”

Unlike many of the recent Libyans who joined the community in Cairo, Kamel is lucky to be able to afford a relaxed living in Cairo for him and his family. Others come to Cairo with a certain amount of money that ends quickly with no ongoing income and no guaranteed help. Refugees are usually helped by their embassies in countries around the world, but due to the current Libyan crisis, this help isn't available.

Heba Naami, a 30 year old working girl who moved to Cairo summer 2014 with her family for safety, has luckily found a job in a Libyan television station that pays her well and keeps her busy. "I always kept myself busy in Tripoli and I knew I was going to stay a while in Cairo so I applied for the job and got it easily," said Naami. She stated that after the second month of living in Cairo she started missing home in Tripoli although she always met many of her friends and relatives who resided around her in Cairo.

"When I set my mind to a goal, I reach it," said Naami "and I set my mind to building and adapting to a new life here and keeping myself positive."

Naami lives her parents and young brother who missed a year of school due to the warzone that went on for while in Libya's capital city, Tripoli. "We managed to get my brother to enroll in the Libyan school here in Cairo as soon as we arrived. It was our priority after finding a place to stay," said Naami.

"I miss home a lot. When I think of all the deaths, destruction, displaced people, refugees and the loss of hope, I lose my mind," cried Naami, "I can't believe what my country came to."

Naami talked about the Libyan gatherings that they have where she lives in Rehab city and how they "always make me feel like I'm home, even for a few hours. I even met people who were my neighbors in Tripoli that I never got the chance to get to know before. We are a big family now," laughed Naami.

The Libyan community in Cairo has various, heart-wrenching stories of war, struggle and displacement that no summary can do justice. The majority of the current community is made of refugees who fled away from warzones looking for a normal life and the rest of the old Libyan community is made up of those who ran away from the dictatorship of Muaamar Gaddafi and have been living in Cairo for over decades.

Jayda Tumi, a 35 year old woman who was born in Cairo said that "even though I've lived here my whole life, Libya has always taken a huge part of my life and heart. We visited often especially in the past 10 to 15 years because my parents wanted us to remember where we came from."

Tumi has a life in Cairo just like any other Egyptian does. "Sometimes I feel like I'm half Libyan, half Egyptian because part of me will always remain here. Cairo is home and Libya is also home," said Tumi.

Tumi stated that most of her Libyan acquaintances are also Libyans who were born and raised in Egypt, "we are actually a lot, with very similar stories and lifestyles. I think this is what made me feel good about always being the different one between my Egyptian – I knew I wasn't the only one."

During the fighting in the Revolution, many of the causalities were sent to Cairo for treatment and are either still under treatment, or decided to reside there after their treatments were over.

Siraj Bennur, a 32 year old who was injured in the battle of western Libyan city, Sirte in October 2011 has been getting treated through many surgeries, physical therapy, etc throughout the past 4 years. Unfortunately, Bennur cannot afford to pay to for his own treatment that the temporary Libyan government was paying for through the Libyan embassy in Cairo.

"The government stopped paying the amounts due to the hospital and we (the injured Libyan fighters) received very poor treatment, not only medically but also behaviorally," said Bennur. "I risked my life and left my work to fight for a better future for my country but what was my reward?"

Bennur, as the majority of the fighters who were in the frontlines during the battles over Libya in 2011 only fought to have justice and a fair regime to develop their country and offer them jobs and bright future.

"I only hope for one thing now, and it is not money, power or even a job. My wish is for Libya to get back like it was or better, for the army to win the battle against IS and continue what the youth started in 2011," said Bennur with a very deep tone and tears in his eyes.

 Libyans have been escaping their country’s turmoil by moving to countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, and Turkey, which are believed to be the countries with the most Libyan refugees that have increased throughout the past four years after the start of the Libyan revolution then the current crisis.

Egypt has always had its borders and arms open for refugees and especially for its Libyan neighbors, although it has closed the Libyan-Egyptian borders a few times due to fear of the terror in Libya reaching Egypt, which has caused Libyans to get stuck for days, even weeks, in the borders. The borders are currently open to Libyans but the visa and entrance policies have been changed since mid 2014. Libyan men of all ages need a visa to enter Egypt either through flying or the border, whereas women do not need a visa.

All families and visitors, not only Libyans but also any foreigners, who enter Egypt and stay longer than three months, need a residency in order to remain longer. If a residency is not issued, the person(s) are to pay a fine at the airport or border when leaving the Egyptian lands.

Tumi said “I’ve lived here for almost 25 years and never needed a visa up till last year during the Libyan crisis and the increase of the refugees from different place in Egypt. But it wasn’t hard for me to get one because I own an apartment here and my children go to schools.”

Other refugees who do not own any property in Egypt or have any children enrolled in schools and universities have very hard times issuing residencies. Some of them are desperate enough to pay up till $1000 to lawyers who end up issuing them fake residencies that put them in even bigger problems.

All Libyans that escaped to Cairo are in need of some sort of help from their government and embassy that is not offered and usually refused. Most of these needs require money - hospital fees, school and university fees, accommodations, etc.

 Many school-aged children have been deprived of their education since the war has started and their schools have shut down, eventually causing them to move. Many of these children’s families cannot afford to put their children in schools in Cairo or any other city they’ve moved to due to the responsibilities they have and the shortage of money.

“We can’t complain. Cairo feels the most like home, not just to me but to all Libyans here I believe,” said Naami “life is easier for us Libyans here than anywhere else,” she added.

“I think all we pray for day and night is to go back our homes, our jobs and our life. We want our old life back, our country back. Nothing more, nothing less.. We want peace,” said Faraj.