~egyptian-streets | Bookmarks (427)

In the bustling cultural landscape of Egypt, a new wave of stand-up comedians is emerging, captivating audiences and challenging traditional norms. Once confined to the realms of movies and theater, the art of comedy in Egypt has evolved, empowering both men and women to share their stories and perspectives on the stage. This transformative shift is being driven by a new generation of performers...

Photo Source: Al Ahram Online President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has appointed Nazir Ayyad as Egypt’s new Grand Mufti, effective 12 August. Ayyad, who succeeds Shawki Allam, will serve as the 20th Grand Mufti of Egypt and is expected to hold the position for a four-year term. Ayyad, a prominent scholar within the Islamic Research Academy, has held various influential positions, including secretary-general of the academy....

Stepping off the plane and into the busy streets of Cairo, Lana Rabie felt a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. An architect who had spent most of her life in Paris, Lana had always considered the city her home—a place of study and cultural experiences. Yet, as she faced the familiar yet foreign landscape of Egypt, Lana was met with a profound question: Where...

To encourage banking services for foreigners in Egypt, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has issued directives that allow local banks to facilitate opening accounts for non-resident foreign customers. According to the CBE’s laws, banks are currently required to open accounts for foreign customers who are not residents of Egypt if they requested, allowing them to benefit from the various banking services provided. This...

At its 46th session in New Delhi, India, United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) has added three new Arab sites to its World Heritage List. These include the ancient Saint Hilarion Monastery at Tell Umm Amer in Palestine, the historical ruins of Umm Al-Jimmāl in Jordan, and the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion of these three...

Since the trailer’s release in July, the film Al-Molhed (The Atheist, 2024) has sparked media criticism and stirred controversy on social media before its release, with many calling for a boycott over alleged islamophobia. The film is produced by Ahmed El-Sobky, directed by Mando El-Adl, written by Ibrahim Eissa, starring Ahmed Hatem, Shereen Reda, Mahmoud Hemida, Hussein Fahmy, Sabreen, Tara Emad, Naglaa Badr, and...

Egypt is preparing to bid for the 2036 and 2040 Summer Olympics, according to the head of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mustapha Berraf. “Egypt will bid for 2036 and 2040,” Berraf revealed during a press conference on 11 August. In 2022, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi granted approval for the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports to prepare a...

Egypt’s Cabinet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates relating to logistics projects in the petroleum sector, with investments potentially reaching USD 3 billion (EGP 147.5 billion), a Cabinet press release announced on 8 August. The signing ceremony, witnessed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, featured key figures from Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Emirati-owned Fujairah Oil...

Egypt’s Olympic Committee and Ministry of Youth and Sports significantly increased financial rewards for medalists in the Paris 2024 Olympics, a joint social media statement announced on 11 August. “The rewards are now EGP 5 million (USD 101,636) for gold, EGP 4 million (USD 81,308) for silver, EGP 3 million (USD 60,981) for bronze,” the statement reads. “Additionally, each medal winner will be granted...

In a historic moment for Egypt and Africa, Ahmed Elgendy has secured the first-ever gold medal for his country in the Modern Pentathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The 24-year-old athlete delivered an extraordinary performance, setting a new world record with a remarkable 1,555 points in the final. Elgendy, who previously won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, demonstrated his exceptional...

Egyptian weightlifter Sara Ahmed Samir has once again made Egypt proud, securing a silver medal in the 81kg Women’s Final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Samir lifted a total of 268kg, marking an incredible achievement in her illustrious career and reinforcing her position as one of the sport’s leading athletes. The 26-year-old’s performance included a snatch of 117kg and a clean and jerk of...

Egyptian Olympic wrestler Mohamed ‘Kisho’ Ibrahim El-Sayed, who was arrested in Paris on allegations of sexual assault, has been released from police custody, with all charges against him dropped, French prosecutors confirmed on Saturday. The 26-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler, a bronze medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was taken into custody early Friday after an alleged incident where he was accused of groping a woman...

Egypt has strongly denounced an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza that has left scores of Palestinian civilians dead. Early Saturday morning, 10 August, an Israeli airstrike hit Al-Tabin School, which was repurposed into a shelter in Gaza City, killing at least 100 civilians. The attack, one of the most devastating incidents in the ongoing 10-month Israeli war on Gaza, occurred without warning...

On 8 August, the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States jointly signed a statement that urged Hamas and Israel to renew ceasefire negotiations and resume prisoner exchanges in the Gaza Strip. The proposed talks are slated for 14 or 15 August, with the potential to be held in either Doha or Cairo, to address any remaining gaps in negotiations and begin implementing...

The Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) has initiated an investigation into prominent Egyptian wrestler Mohamed ‘Kisho’ Ibrahim El Sayed after he was arrested in Paris following allegations of sexual assault and public intoxication. The EOC has subsequently suspended the athlete pending the outcome of the inquiry. The allegations surfaced after French authorities arrested the 26-year-old wrestler, nicknamed ‘Kisho’ or ‘Kesho’, in the early hours of...

On every street corner in Egypt, you will find a cart selling fava bean and falafel sandwiches for all Egyptians. These sandwiches have always been daily source of nutrition for many Egyptians and have come to symbolize not only Egypt’s breakfast culture, but also the national identity. Many Egyptians associate their sense of being Egyptian with their daily fava bean sandwich. One Egyptian once...

In a stunning display of dominance, Morocco’s football team crushed Egypt 6-0 in the bronze medal match of the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaving Egyptian fans heartbroken and searching for answers. Prior to this match, Egypt had an impressive run in the tournament, defeating Spain, Paraguay, and Uzbekistan, only to lose a close game against France in the semi-finals. The bronze medal clash started with...

  Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the leading Sunni Islamic institution globally and which is based in Egypt, denounced the recent surge of far-right attacks targeting Muslims and mosques in the United Kingdom, which were fueled by false social media claims that a Muslim immigrant was responsible for the “Southport” crime. In a statement released on Wednesday, Al-Azhar also emphasized the urgent need to confront the campaign...

  Egypt has directed all its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace on Thursday, 8 August . The airspace is to be avoided for a three-hour window starting Thursday early morning, from 0100 GMT to 0400 GMT. This is due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran, according to a government source cited by local media. The news follows the Iranian foreign minister stating that...

Photo source: Reuters   US President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi engaged in a pivotal phone call to discuss efforts to de-escalate regional tensions on Tuesday, 6 August according to a press release by the White House. The conversation focused on the implementation of an immediate ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages. President Biden expressed gratitude to President Al-Sisi...

The new diesel production complex in Assiut is 78 percent complete and is expected to be finished by December 2025.  With an investment of around USD 3 billion (EGP 147.6 billion), the project is progressing according to the planned timeline, reported the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. As of 18 July, Egypt is set to launch an international tender in August to procure...

Egypt’s dreams for an Olympic handball tournament medal have disappeared after losing to Spain in the quarterfinals 29-28. The match, held at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions, as Egypt was dominant throughout the entire match, but lost composure in the final moments of regulation time. The match started with a fierce defensive battle, with no goals in the first...

EgyptAir issued an urgent advisory on Sunday evening, urging customers to review and modify their flight bookings to and from Beirut.  This notice comes amid escalating regional tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, prompting travelers to reassess their plans due to potential military escalation.  EgyptAir has advised local customers to contact the hotline 1717 or landline 090070000, and international customers to call +97142306666 or...

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday August 6 amid escalating violence and mass protests.  Her departure follows weeks of deadly demonstrations, including a storming of her official residence by protesters defying a military curfew.  In a national address, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government to take over Bangladesh. Her resignation followed weeks of...