In an unprecedented move toward greater social inclusion, Osama Abou Zeid, Chairman of El Shams Sporting Club, one of Egypt’s most prestigious sporting institutions, announced that the club would now offer equal membership rights to fostered children, putting them on par with biological children of club members.
Under this new policy, fostered children will be granted the same membership privileges as biological children within their foster families. At the age of legal adulthood, they will also have the right to separate their membership, allowing them full autonomy within the club—all without additional fees or restrictions.
A Bold Step Toward Social Equality
This policy change marks a historic shift not just within the walls of El Shams, but also in Egypt’s broader conversation around foster care and social equity. In a nation where kafala—the Islamic legal practice of fostering children—has historically been met with cultural and institutional resistance, El Shams’ decision offers a strong message of acceptance and inclusion.
While fostered children have long faced challenges in terms of social acceptance and legal recognition, this groundbreaking policy positions the club as a trailblazer in the private sector. No longer will these children face institutional barriers to enjoying the same privileges as their peers, simply because of their status as fostered rather than biological children.
The move is also aligned with Egypt’s growing efforts to reform its child welfare systems, including legal protections for children in kafala care, and government-backed initiatives aimed at normalizing alternative family structures.
The Power of Private Institutions in Shaping Public Norms
In Egypt, social clubs like El Shams are far more than recreational spaces—they are cultural landmarks and gateways to the upper echelons of society. Membership in these clubs often carries weight, conferring a sense of prestige, access to elite networks, and a myriad of social privileges.
With this move, El Shams is not only redefining what it means to be a club member—it is also becoming a beacon of progressive social change in a nation that is slowly but surely evolving in its treatment of vulnerable children.
