CAIRO: On a main street in Mohandiseen, Beni Suef-native Gaber Mahdy is peddling Palestinian kufeyas to motorists and pedestrians. Before that he used to sell reflective triangles mandated by the new traffic law and before that it was little toys.
Like other street vendors, Mahdy goes with the flow, selling whatever is popular or on demand at the time. It’s these vendors that often reflect the mood and demands of the capital.
During the African Cup of Nations early 2008, the streets were filled with big hats patterned in white, black and red, Egyptian flags, red wigs and other commodities that would help Egypt’s crowd cheer for their country.
When the new traffic laws came out in August 2008, the red reflective triangles were sold everywhere on Cairo’s streets. Most recently the Palestinian ‘Kufeya’ has been the trend, due to the war in Gaza.
“We get the scarves from Alexandria, said Mahdy. “One scarf costs LE 12-15, depending on the negotiation skills of the buyer.
“I wish all Muslims would unite and fight Israel, he added, “They kill children so that Palestine wouldn’t have a younger generation that would fight in the future.
Although the money he earns isn’t donated to Palestine, Mahdy maintains that he’s loyal to the Palestinian cause, doing his best to help it. “I donated blood, Mahdy said. “There was a blood drive in Bulaq where I live.
At an intersection near the Orman garden, Abdel Nabi is one of many vendors selling the kufeya.
Throughout the day, Abdel Nabi meets all sort of people, those who support Palestinians and those who don’t. “Some people curse us on the street and say ‘to hell with Palestine’. but those who buy them are sympathetic with the Palestinian cause.
Abel Nabi, who used to sell tissues, decorative CDs for cars and reflective triangles, sells 30 scarves a day, for LE 5 each. “We get them from El Mosky, he said.
“We want to make some noise on the Egyptian street so people would sympathize with Palestine and take some action, said enthusiastic AbdeL Nabi.
Yet, Palestinian kufeyas aren’t the only item sold on Cairo’s street at the moment; other major events battle for the attention of street vendors and their respective customers.
In the build up to the Jan. 11 Cairo derby, vendors were selling the Ahly and Zamalek flags.
Sixteen-year-old Mohamed Shawky was selling red flags. “I only sell them when there s a match, Shawky said. “I get the flags from a supplier in Meet Okba. I sell them for LE 6. I give him 5 and keep the extra pound.
Ahmed Adel, an Ahly fan, sells both the Ahly and Zamalek flags.
“I get them from Shobra, El Khalifa or El Giza, Adel said. “They cost LE 5, 10 or 15 depending on the size.
According to Adel, Ahly flags are sold more.
