Hajiya Umma El-Rufai died in Cairo, Egypt after a long illness. She was the mother of Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently under detention for alleged financial misconduct. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai expressed his condolences, stating, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we shall all return,” and added, “We are grateful for the life she lived and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul.”
As Egypt mourns this loss, the country has also imposed a business curfew starting from March 27, 2026. This curfew mandates that shops, restaurants, and shopping malls close by 9:00 pm on weekdays. The decision comes in response to a significant increase in the nation’s monthly energy bill, which surged from $560 million to $1.650 billion due to the ongoing war in Iran.
The curfew is initially set to last for one month, with officials indicating that it is a necessary measure to manage the economic impact of rising energy costs. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, remarked, “Cairo must work on the ‘worst-case scenario’ in the face of a war whose outcome is unpredictable.”
Despite the new restrictions, Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy assured that the measures will not affect tourists visiting the country. The government is keen to balance public safety and economic activity amid these challenging times.
Additionally, fuel prices in Egypt saw a 30% increase at the beginning of March 2026, further complicating the economic landscape. As the situation develops, observers will be watching closely to see how these changes impact daily life and the broader economy in Egypt.