Tuesday, February 11, 2025

11 February 2025: When King Abdullah II met Donald Trump "Updated"

It is 11 February 2025, the 14th anniversary of Hosni Mubarak's ousting. It came at a very critical time, and it is not about the challenging economic conditions.

It came at a time when the U.S. President himself tried to force Egypt to accept the unacceptable and he is insisting on it.

It came on the same day when US President Donald Trump said in an informal press meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan that the US won't buy Gaza, it will simply "have it". For the record, journalists were told there would not be a press but then Abdullah II found himself inside a mini-Trumpian presser.

In the same meeting, Egyptians saw Trump saying that he believed Palestinians would have a parcel of land in Egypt and Jordan while Abdullah II did not challenge him, sitting there silent with an extremely red face.

Abdullah of Jordan
The king of Jordan was not thrilled or happy in his meeting with Trump 
"Reuters"

From his side, the Jordanian King said that his country would host 2,000 Palestinian children suffering from cancer or other serious diseases. “Nothing new under the sun because for a whole year, Jordan used to do this”

"We have to look at the best interests of the United States, of the people in the region, especially to my people of Jordan," Abdullah said adding that the Egyptians were working on a plan that to be discussed with the Saudis and other Arab countries.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

#Jan25 : A rant about a revolution that lives on in one way or another

"Today, I Saw"
Today, I saw the picture from afar,
And I said, Hussein will die again.

Today, I saw—through a revolutionary’s eyes—
Hussein, surrounded by soldiers atop his lifeless form.
They beat him with batons…
Every time he tries to rise.

And the people just stood there,
Weeping, instead of stepping in.

The flag, a sieve,
Pierced by bayonets and bullets.

The path stretched before us,
Paved with blood to the very end.

Today, I saw blood on bread.
And I realized, Hussein is us…
No matter how many times he’s killed,
He lives on.

Mostafa Ibrahim in his book “Manifesto”

   It is the anniversary of the January 25 Revolution—our “Karbala moment.” This anniversary arrives amid yet another period of economic and political hardship.

Egypt's economic woes are no secret. The threat of instability and uprisings due to economic crises and soaring inflation is ever-present. However, 2025 is not 2011. Circumstances, both domestic and regional, are markedly different.

Egyptian girls with the Egyptian flag on their faces at Tahrir square
From the faces I saw in Tahrir square in January 2012 
when there were very high hopes 

For regional political reasons, I do not believe Egyptians will rise up now, especially with the Israeli army in Gaza or its attention fixed on Gaza. “Not to mention,” some sectors of Israeli society still cast their eyes on Sinai—whether as an alternative homeland for Palestinians or as part of a grand vision of Greater Israel.

However, the one scenario that could compel Egyptians to take to the streets is the loss of Sinai again—heavens forbid. This remains the true red line for the Egyptian president and military. It is a generational lesson and fear rooted in the memory of the devastating moment of June 5, 1967.

Another hard-learned lesson from history is: “Do not send our army to wars or conflicts beyond our borders—remember Yemen.”

Fortunately, the current Egyptian administration and American and Qatari mediation have managed to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. We pray that it holds and that Israel does not break it as it did in November 2023.

The anniversary of the January 25 Revolution comes as Syria's sudden regime change has brought memories of the Arab Spring rushing back. This has struck a chord in Egypt, evoking both hope and despair.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Babies of Gaza: Mostafa, son of Halima has a family and is recovering

Do you remember that baby from Al-Shifa Hospital’s premature babies in Gaza who lost his eye and his mom and arrived in Egypt alone to receive treatment?

Yes, it is him, and he is a cute little boy who was lucky to find his family after all.

Mostafa Qadoura in Gaza before evacuation and in Cairo after evacuation

His name is Mostafa Qadoura , the son of Halima Abd Rabou.

Babies of Gaza: Mostafa, son of Halima has a family and is recovering amazingly and happily.

When Mostafa Qadoura was just a week old, an Israeli airstrike on his home in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya in October 2013 launched him and his crib into the air.

Shrapnel pierced his right eye, damaging it beyond repair. Baby Mostafa was later found in his crib, meters away from the ruins of his home.

The strike killed his 4-year-old brother, Ayes, and severely injured his 22-year-old mother, Halima.

Mostafa was rushed to Al-Shifa Hospital’s neonatal unit but faced further medical challenges when the hospital itself came under shelling. Meanwhile, Halima was at another hospital in northern Gaza, where doctors were forced to amputate her leg. She also suffered life-altering injuries to her neck, chest, and eyes.

After being discharged, Halima moved into a large family home in Jabaliya. But tragedy struck again. As her son was being evacuated across borders to safety, an Israeli airstrike killed Halima, her 6-year-old son, Bassam, and 50 other family members on November 22, 2023.

The fate of Mostafa’s father remains unknown. Officially listed as missing, it is unclear whether his body has been recovered.

For a time, the remaining members of Mostafa’s family believed he had also perished—until his uncle stumbled upon a local news report mentioning an orphaned baby he suspected was Mostafa.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Watch This : Seasons & Streets “Christmas in Korba”

This video explains the connection between Korba of Heliopolis and Christmas decorations or how Korba became a Christmas celebration hot zone in Cairo and yes, I post it on the eve of the Epiphany as observed in the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar.

Thanks to a comment in Kodak Agfa's "Christmas 2024 in Korba," we know the history behind Korba's annual Christmas decoration tradition.

The Epiphany celebrated on January 19 in most Eastern Orthodox Churches (January 6 in the Julian calendar, equivalent to January 19 in the Gregorian calendar), commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. 

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The Israel-Gaza ceasefire agreement: Let’s pray it works

A few hours ago, it was announced officially in Qatar’s Doha that after Egyptian Qatari American mediation efforts, Palestinian factions led by Hamas group and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement for a prisoner exchange and the establishment of sustainable calm, paving the way for a permanent ceasefire.

The agreement will take effect on Sunday 19 January 2025 at 12.15 PM.

The agreement consists of three phases to de-escalate the situation and restore stability.

Phase One (Duration: 42 Days):

  1. Ceasefire: Both parties commit to a complete cessation of hostilities.
  2. Israeli Forces' Withdrawal and Redeployment: Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas and reposition outside these zones.
  3. Prisoner and Detainee Exchange: The parties will exchange prisoners and detainees, as well as the remains of deceased individuals.
  4. Return of Internally Displaced Persons: Internally displaced residents of Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes.
  5. Medical Evacuations: Facilitate the exit of patients and injured individuals for treatment.

Rafah crossing will start working starting on Thursday and by working here, we mean to fix on the Palestinian side as the Israeli army completely destroyed the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing.

Additionally, the first phase includes the intensification of humanitarian aid delivery across the Gaza Strip, ensuring safe and effective distribution on a large scale. 

Monday, January 6, 2025

Days at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo: Coptic-Byzantine Style- Madonna and Child or Merry Christmas to Eastern Orthodox Christians

Merry Christmas to all the Christians celebrating it tonight following the Eastern Orthodox Church above them the dear followers of the Eastern Church, especially the Coptic Orthodox Christian Egyptians.

On this occasion, I would like share with you this beautiful old Coptic-Byzantine style Madonna and Child’s triptych Christian icon.

Coptic Egyptian-byzantine style triptych Christan icon
Coptic-Byzantine style Madonna and Child’s triptych Christian icon.

It was displayed at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo in June 2023 on the occasion of the arrival of the Holy Family to Egypt.

The wooden icon's central panel depicts the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, flanked by an archangel (likely Michael or Gabriel) and a Saint, most probably Saint Paul, on the side panels.

Here is a close-up after the break.

Friday, January 3, 2025

Egyptian Chronicles’ Movers and Shakers of 2024 "Updated"

Welcome to the 2024 edition of Egyptian Chronicles' Movers and Shakers!

It’s that time of year again for our annual post.

Here is my list of those I believe to be the movers and shakers of 2024 in Egypt, the Arab world, and beyond.



This is not a list of the "top" individuals but rather those who left an impact for better or worse. The good, the bad, and the ugly all make an appearance. The naughty and the goody-goody are here too.

I didn’t publish the 2023 edition due to the war in Gaza—a decision I now regret.

But now, let’s dive into my top picks for the Movers and Shakers of 2024.

Regional shakers and movers

  • The Palestinian people in Gaza:

Does this need any explanation? The most resilient people in the world are facing genocide while steadfastly refusing to leave their land. Many are unaware that Palestinians could storm the Egyptian border and seek refuge in Sinai under international law, which obligates Egypt to receive them. Yet, the Palestinians of Gaza choose to remain because they know Gaza is their last frontier.

Palestinian man Ismail Al-Khlout reads the Quran as he waits to break his fast in
Ramadan "March" while sitting on the rubble of his house. Mahmoud Isssa for Reuters

The people of Gaza understand that crossing the border means never returning. Israeli plans to recolonize Gaza are not a secret; Israeli officials openly discuss them. Their relentless efforts to make Gaza uninhabitable are underway, but the Palestinian people of Gaza remain their greatest obstacle. They are the true resistance, keeping the hope of Palestine alive. Yet, one cannot help but wonder how much longer they can endure this ongoing genocide.

Some countless faces and names embody the resilience and spirit of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Among them is Hajj Khaled Nabhan, who became an icon of perseverance after losing his beloved granddaughter Reem in October 2023. Despite his grief, he continued to care for his elderly mother and support the injured and displaced in Gaza. Tragically, Hajj Nabhan was killed in November.

Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem are now together

Others, like food blogger-turned-chef Hamada Shaqoura and Mrs. Shahinaz, inspire hope through their efforts amidst the destruction. They remind us of the enduring humanity and strength of Gaza’s people.

As of October 7, 2023, the ongoing Israeli war has claimed the lives of 45,658 individuals and left 108,583 injured. Additionally, 80% of the Gaza Strip is now under Israeli evacuation orders, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.