I dare you to stand in front of the screen without venturing a move: Egypt’s latest music hit, “Bushret Kheir” (Good Omen), has got the whole nation dancing, from Cairo and Aswan to Alexandria and Damietta.
An anthem to its people’s jovial spirit amid a grim sociopolitical environment, the song is performed by Emirati singer Hussein El-Jasmi and produced by CBC, in an attempt to encourage people to vote in the upcoming presidential elections.
In less than a week, the video gathered over 4 million views and is flourishing with home-made parodies, as some Twitter users compare it to Pharell’s “Happy” hit and TV channels invite viewers to share their own versions.
“This song is telling Egyptians that their voices count regardless of their status. It’s a hopeful uplifting song to generate positivism. Egyptian people are exactly that: during the tough times they still manage to pull through and make the most of any situation in their lives. It’s not the song, it’s Egyptian nature”, says Facebook user Jewlz Jemz.
With contagious moves and unbreakable spirit, these spontaneous dancers are a vivid reminder that no matter the result, there’s something larger at stake: the realization of the principle that each citizen matters.