Zayni Barakat

In general, this book was interesting to read but incredibly difficult to understand. The way the chapters were set up, going from narration to individual perspectives made it hard to differentiate fact from fiction/opinion.
Zayni Barakat was the appointed Market Inspectorship to the Egyptian empire in its last years of freedom from the Ottomans. During Barakat’s time in office he made very sure that things were taken care of precisely as he wanted. There were many reasons why he was chosen for this title, including his fairness to all, strength, and ability to do the right thing at all times. Barakat took his job seriously and wanted the best for his people. The citizens were safe under him and that was well known. His ability to keep any sort of public office while Egypt was in such hard times in any society, past or present, speaks volumes for his ability to perform his duties.
It was more likely that people would see Barakat on an average day than not see him. His ideology was essentially not to trust in what others say, that generally they will not sufficiently do a job, therefore he would do what needed to be done to check up on the people. He made it a point to literally go down to the market everyday and ensure that everything was perfect and maintained the regulations set up by the state. In many cases where leaders are too strict with their policies, people begin to become angry, and these policies don’t actually follow through and work. Barakat had a way of actually implementing policies well, and keeping them working smoothly.
People were had mixed feelings of Barakat, especially those who served around him. A large part of his actual success was due in part by his use of spies. The fact of the matter is, regardless of the unsure feelings about how he ran his position and if he was too overpowering and took on too much responsibility.