Under the gracious patronage of Prof. Dr. Sherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Azim, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, and with the generous hosting of Prof. Dr. Aly Abdel-Rabbu, Dean of the Faculty of Education, the General Administration of Environmental Projects at Mansoura University, led by Eng. Sherif Fawzi, General Director and Coordinator of National Initiatives and Programs, in cooperation with the Community Awareness Committee in the Community Service Sector chaired by Prof. Dr. Sahar Tawfiq, Dean of the Faculty of Early Childhood Education, organized today, Tuesday, 9/12/2025, an awareness seminar for the students of the Faculty of Education in coordination with the Misr El-Kheir Foundation, titled:

“The Phenomenon of Debt Burden and Supporting the Most Vulnerable Groups.”

The seminar was presented by Prof. Dr. Abdullah Ali Abou-Shabana, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education for Community Service and Environmental Development, and Prof. Dr. Dina Abu Al-Alaa, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts for Community Service and Environmental Development.

The seminar addressed the linguistic and legal foundations of the term ghurm (debt burden), explaining the meaning of gharim (an indebted person) and clarifying the causes, regulations, types, and consequences related to the phenomenon.

A comprehensive discussion took place on the term ghurm, during which the speakers offered both linguistic and jurisprudential explanations of the concept, highlighting the difference between ghurm and gharim, and identifying when an individual qualifies as a beneficiary of support according to legal and social criteria.

The seminar also explored the real reasons behind the spread of the debt burden phenomenon in Egyptian society, including:

• Sudden financial obligations faced by some individuals.

• Poorly planned loans or burdensome family commitments.

• Debts resulting from essential needs and rising living costs.

• Social pressures that lead some to incur expenses beyond their means.

The speakers explained the regulations that determine the groups eligible for support based on legal and social standards, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between indebted individuals in need and those capable of repayment.

They also highlighted different types of debt burden, from personal debts linked to individual circumstances to family-related debts arising from shared obligations, presenting real-life examples to illustrate various scenarios within society.

The seminar provided an analysis of the negative consequences of debt burden, such as:

• Psychological and social impacts on families.

• Decreased productivity and work capacity.

• The potential for indebted individuals to face legal risks.

In terms of statistical analysis, the speakers presented numerical data describing the debt burden issue in Egypt using accredited reports, illustrating its prevalence among different age groups and social segments.

The seminar also shed light on the efforts of the state and civil society in supporting indebted individuals, showcasing the role of national initiatives and debt-relief programs implemented by government bodies in partnership with charitable organizations such as Misr El-Kheir, which aim to alleviate burdens on the most vulnerable groups and reintegrate them positively into society.

The event concluded with an open discussion in which students expressed their appreciation for the relevance and depth of the information presented, given the social and humanitarian significance of a phenomenon that affects a wide segment of the community.