No one in Ahfir is unfamiliar with Amar Meryato, a man whose name is widely known.
He is someone who, through his own unique way of being, has left a mark on the city and its surroundings. His strangeness, his unconventional behavior, his lifestyle free from rules, pressure or restraint, and his complete spontaneity in dealing with people and events, have made him a remarkable figure.

He is a simple, naïve man, mentally unstable, yet — despite this, or perhaps because of it — he enjoys great popularity. He attracts sympathy, affection, and understanding from everyone.

He is truly a kind man, dignified, gentle, and harmless. He wanders through the city endlessly, without fatigue, yet he refuses to beg or ask anyone for help.

Despite his misery and extreme poverty, he never complains about his condition and never reveals anything of his difficult reality. He faces life with whatever he has, hiding his hardship behind a laughter that almost never stops, and a cheerful spirit that accompanies him always.
His way of laughing, his natural speech, all of this draws people to him. They invite him to sit with them for coffee or tea, and sometimes engage in endless conversations.

Amar usually accepts these invitations gladly. He sits with them, talks with them, and offers comments filled with spontaneous joy, humor, and irony about everything — whether trivial or important.

Today, Si Amar Meryato continues his calm, bohemian life among his people.
I heard he has become the head of a household.
May God help him live with dignity and continue his journey among the people.

Amr Belhassan – 23/04/2010