An apology for the newsletter glitch

Dear Egyptian Chronicles subscribers,

First of all, thank you so much for your trust and support in subscribing to my newsletter. It is truly an honour that you have shared your email address with me so you don't miss my latest posts.

Second, I sincerely apologize for the empty newsletter emails you have been receiving since June. It turned out there was a technical glitch during my setup process when migrating from Mailchimp to Brevo.

Thankfully, I have now fixed the issue! I hope you will enjoy receiving Egyptian Chronicles updates in your inbox once again, inshallah.

Warm regards,

Yours truly,

Zeinobia

Happy Hijri Year 1448: Al-Aqsa is in a huge danger and Many Muslims are still refugees

Happy and blessed New Hijri Year 1448 to all Muslims in the world, especially to the Muslim refugees.

Today marks Muharram 1, 1448 AH.

Today is the start of the new Islamic Hijri Year 1448.

Once again, I have to remind people that our Islamic calendar began more than fourteen centuries ago when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions, the first Muslims, sought refuge and safety in Yathrib, which later became Medina, the first capital of the Islamic state.

The early Muslims were refugees. In fact, almost all the prophets of the Abrahamic faiths and their earliest followers experienced displacement, exile, or persecution. It seems to be a recurring chapter in the story of faith.

As of 2026, the Muslim world is once again home to some of the largest displaced populations on Earth. Approximately 6 million Palestinian refugees remain registered with UNRWA, while about 4.9 million Syrian refugees continue to live outside their homeland, primarily in neighboring countries and across Europe.

Happy Easter 2026 from Egypt and Palestine too

Happy Easter to all those celebrating today—especially Egyptian and Sudanese Coptic Orthodox Christians, as well as Palestinian and Lebanese Orthodox communities.

On this occasion, I’m sharing a photo of the Church of the Martyr St. Philopater Mercurius in Mohandessin, Giza—commonly known as “Abu Sefein,” or “the man of two swords.”

Happy Eid and Happy Nowruz

Happy Eid and Happy Nowruz to everyone celebrating this Friday and Saturday around the globe.

I know it is not the best time in the Middle East to celebrate anything, or even to be optimistic from a logical and realistic standpoint. But even in the darkest of moments, Eid and Nowruz bring happiness and solace to the believers.

On the occasion of Eid and Nowruz, I am sharing with you this sincere illustration by the famous Egyptian illustrator and painter Hussein Biccar.

Originally of Turkish Cypriot descent, Biccar was a Bahá'í and thus celebrated Nowruz as well.

Now, a word about greetings — "Eid Saeed," or Happy Eid, is what we say in Egypt. "Eid Mubarak" is a newer term imported from the Gulf. And yes, here in Egypt, "Mubarak" will always be Hosni Mubarak first!

Recently, I have noticed many non-Egyptians using "Eid Saeed," and it genuinely makes me happy.

Happy New Year 2026 From Egyptian Chronicles

Happy New Year 2026 from Egyptian Chronicles to all friends around the globe.

May it be a nice, cheerful year for all of us inshallah. 

Days at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo : The Canopus Decree Stela “Happy Egyptian New Year 6267, Happy Coptic New Year 1741”

Happy Egyptian New Year 6267, Happy Coptic New Year 1742

Today, 11 September, marks “1 Tut,” the first day of the Ancient Egyptian Year 6267, according to the ancient Egyptian calendar.

It is also the first day of the Coptic Year 1742 AM.

Tut refers to Thoth, in case you do not know "Thoth by Midjourney"

As I do every year, I’ll repeat the reminder that the Ancient Egyptian/Coptic New Year begins on 1 Tut, which usually falls on 11 or 12 September in the Gregorian calendar. This calendar continues to be used in Egypt today to determine the dates of religious feasts—particularly in the Coptic Church—and to mark the agricultural seasons.

On this occasion, I’d like to share a unique and monumental piece at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo: the great limestone stela of the Canopus Decree in honor of Ptolemy III.

The Canopus Decree in honor of Ptolemy III at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo

The Canopus Decree is a trilingual inscription—carved in hieroglyphs, Demotic, and Greek—and stands as the second-earliest example of such trilingual decrees.

The most famous of these, of course, is the Rosetta Stone (which, needless to say, should return to Rosetta, Egypt).

The decree commemorates a grand assembly of priests held at the city of Canopus, on the outskirts of modern Alexandria, to honor Ptolemy III Euergetes of the Ptolemaic dynasty, along with his wife Queen Berenice and Princess Berenice.

Happy Hijri Year 1447: Many Muslims are still refugees

Happy and blessed New Hijri Year 1446 to all Muslims in the world, especially to the Muslim refugees.

Today marks Muharram 1, 1447 AH.

Today is the start of the new Islamic Hijri Year 1447.

Our Islamic calendar started from 14 centuries when Prophet Mohamed “PBUH” and his companions, the early Muslims seek refuge and safety in Yathrib that became Islam’s first capital and state.

Midjourney imagining how the Muslims in Yatharb receving Prophet Muhammed "PBUH" 
and his companions in the style of American concept artist Mary Blair 

It was not the first time that early and first Muslims had to seek refuge in other city. Yes , early Muslims seek refuge in the Kingdom of Aksum in modern day Ethiopia under the rule of Nagashi/Nagasi/King Ashama in what known in the Islamic history the first Hijra.

Ahl al-Bayt, the Prophet’s own family, had to be refugees as they were persecuted, hunted, displaced, and martyred

Most of the major Abrahamic prophets — in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — experienced exile, forced migration, or were refugees at some point in their lives.

So I do not know how some people who call themselves as people of faith following Judaism , Christianity and Islam and yet are anti-refugees.

It kills me actually.

In some sad reality , today the largest refugee groups globally are still Muslim-majority populations.We are speaking about Palestinians, Syrians, Afghans, Sudanese , Yemenis, Rohingya and Uighurs.

Happy Eid al-Adha 2025

Happy Eid al-Adha from Egyptian Chronicles to all Muslims around the world who are celebrating, despite many of our fellow Muslims, especially in Gaza and Sudan, being unable to do so this year.

A son of sheep vendors in Egypt hugging a lamb 
Amr Abdullah for Reuters

Many share a deep frustration during this Eid due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Countless voices echo the poignant verses of the renowned poet Abu Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi.

عيدٌ بأيِّ حالٍ عدتَ يا عيدُ
O Eid, with what condition have you returned?

بمثلِ هذا الحالِ، هل تعودُ عيدُ؟
With such a state, can you really be Eid?

Al-Mutanabbi composed this 30-verse poem just one day before leaving Egypt, on the Day of Arafah in the year 350 AH (around Eid al-Adha). The poem expresses his profound sadness and longing as he awaited Eid to bring good news and reunion with loved ones after a year of separation during his stay in Egypt. At the same time, the poem carries a sharp tone of satire and criticism towards the ruler of Egypt, then-Kafur al-Ikhshidi, as Al-Mutanabbi’s ambitions for power and prestige there remained unfulfilled.

The poem has become famous for its first line, “O Eid, with what condition have you returned?”

 Here are the Takbeerat of Eid with the sounds of artillery shelling east of Gaza City earlier today.

تكبيرات العيد مع أصوات القصف المدفعي شرق مدينة غزة pic.twitter.com/ggfFSIWPWR

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) June 5, 2025

Happy Eid from Gaza

Nevertheless, it is Eid al-Adha, a time when we, as Muslims, remember how the pilgrimage in the Holy Land is a living reenactment of the moment when Lady Hagar and baby Prophet Ismail were stranded in the desert—what would later become Mecca. Although the situation seemed desperate, Lady Hagar’s faith and patience led to the miraculous emergence of the Zamzam well, which saved them and eventually brought life to Mecca, according to Islamic tradition.

Lady Hagar never abandoned her faith in God, despite the hopelessness of her circumstances.

Personally, this is my first Eid without someone very close to my heart—my aunt, who was like a second mother and an older sister to me—after what can only be described as a short yet bitter battle with illness. May Allah bless her soul and grant patience to me and all those facing similar losses.

I’m not yet ready to fully speak about this, but the past weeks have been difficult, and I am still trying to come to terms with this new reality. This is why I haven’t blogged regularly since mid-Ramadan. Nevertheless, I am beginning to catch up.

Nevertheless, it is Happy Eid.

Happy Eid al-Adha to all, and hopefully, insha’Allah, an Eid miracle will happen for both Palestinians and Sudanese.

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-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.

Happy New Year 2025 from Egyptian Chronicles

Happy New Year 2025 from Egyptian Chronicles to all our dear friends!

A postcard generated by Midjourney

May this new year bring peace to Gaza and its remarkable people—the best, the most humble, honourable, and courageous among us.

Merry Christmas “25th December edition” From Egyptian Chronicles

Merry Christmas to all the world who celebrate it according to the Gregorian calendar/Western churches.

Generated via Midjourney AI

For the second year in a row, Christmas does not feel like Christmas because of what is happening in the land of Palestine but still, there is always hope. 

I got many photos and videos from Egypt for the Christmas decorations and celebrations like every year wait for it inshallah. 

Happy Egyptian New Year 6266, Happy Coptic New Year 1741

Happy Egyptian New Year 6266!

Today, 11 September, marks "1 Tut", the first day of the Ancient Egyptian Year 6266, according to the ancient Egyptian calendar. 

On this occasion, I am sharing this small golden amulet — the Djed pillar amulet, found in King Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) in the Valley of the Kings in 1922, among the wrappings around his mummy. 

King Tut's Djed pillar amulet 

Associated with the ancient Egyptian deities Ptah, the god of creation, and Osiris, the god of agriculture and resurrection, the Djed pillar represents stability and eternity in Egyptian mythology.

May all your days in the year 6266 be stable forever. May this year bring peace and justice to the people of Gaza, or Gazzatu, as it was called in ancient Egypt inshallah.

Happy New Hijri Year 1446: Let’s remember how early Muslims became refugees

Happy and blessed New Hijri Year 1446 to all Muslims in the world, especially to the Muslim refugees

I am seizing this opportunity to remind some people “especially in Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and Ethiopia” that we are celebrating how Prophet Mohamed “PBUH” and his companions, the early Muslims had become refugees seeking safety in Yathrib as well as Ethiopia from 14 centuries ago technically speaking.

Two little Sudanese refugees making it to Chad across the desert
"AFP

The Muslim World has the biggest and oldest refugee crisis in the world with refugees from Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Yemen Afghanistan and Myanmar. Already some Muslim countries and governments caused this refugee crisis.

The Muslim World also has countries with political and financial capabilities to solve this crisis but unfortunately despite being about nearly 2 billion-people nation, we are as Prophet Mohamed “PBUH” said “numerous but weak”.

Blessed and Happy Eid Adha 2024

Blessed and Happy Eid Adha 2024 regardless of all the sadness worldwide, especially in the Middle East and Africa.

Here is a special “Last Meal” of Eid’s sheep by Egypt’s legendary painter and illustrator, the underrated Hussein Bicar.

The Last Meal by Bicar 

Published in 1954, it is watercolours on paper. After seeing it on Bicar's official Facebook page, I admit that I enhanced the painting a bit.

Happy Eid despite all the hardships and war in Gaza and Sudan

Happy Eid El-Fitr to the dear readers of the Egyptian Chronicles around the globe especially those who are observing.

A very special Happy Eid El-Fitr to the people of Gaza, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Despite the death and destruction, Palestinians are endeavouring to celebrate Eid El-Fitr as best they can.

A Palestinian woman with her Eid Kahk aka cookies by 
Majdi Fathi in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip April 8, 2024

Women and children have gathered to make Eid cookies or Kahk, which differs from ours, despite being at the Internal Displacement Camps (IDC), using mud ovens like their ancestors did in 1948.

I read that in Palestinian Rafah, where a million and a half Palestinians have taken refuge, there are two hairdressers with queues of women and children since early Tuesday.

I see videos on Instagram of men having their hair cut in makeshift barbershops inside the tents.

Ramadan Arabian Nights 2024 : Scheherazade tells you Ramadan Kareem from Egypt and “#CeasefireNow in #Gaza” {Updated}

First, Ramadan Kareem

Second, I cannot post the usual Ramadan 1001 Arabian Audio Nights as I have done in the past years and there are two genocides taken on Egypt’s borders whether in Gaza or in Sudan.

1001 Arabian Audio Nights are another Egyptian entertainment tradition to celebrate the Holy Month, but it is not time to celebrate and entertain when millions of people including Arabs and Muslims are displaced and starving by the worst kind of armies and militias in both nations as the world especially our shameful Arab world is just a spectator.

Ramadan decorations in an Egyptian alley in a Giza working-class area
The Palestinian flag "Muhammed Hamdy"

There is another Egyptian tradition that we have been taught since childhood, do not raise the sound of music or hold any festivities if your neighbour has lost someone and is in mourning. I was taught that lesson personally by my own grandma may Allah bless her soul. 

Two of our closest neighbours are not only mourning but they are also displaced, starved and killed.

We can’t enter the aid and we can’t stop the genocides yet the least thing we can do to them is to lower the TVs and radios. 

This is what I believe and honestly, I have no appetite whatsoever to watch any TV series or gossip show in that TV Ramadan marathon.

FYI: I had hopes for the truce and even prepared something if the truce was made but then Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu does not want a truce or any ceasefire because he knows it is his end for real.

Third, despite there will be no 1001 Arabian Audio Nights this year, there are other important things to share that it is timely. 

For instance: This post shows you how working-class and rural Egypt celebrated Palestine and Gaza during Ramadan.

Merry Christmas: Orthodox Edition from Gaza’s Saint Porphyrios Orthodox Church

Merry Christmas to all those Celebrating Christmas on 7 January eve around the world above them in Egypt and a very Merry Christmas to the Christians celebrating it in Gaza and the Armenian quarter in East Jerusalem.

You might not be aware, but the Saint Porphyrios Orthodox Church in Gaza recently held a Christmas mass. The service was attended by the remaining Palestinian Christians who could participate, sending a powerful message of resilience.

The third oldest Church in the world still stands high in the old Gaza district mostly destroyed by the Israeli shelling.

Happy New Year Dear f****** world from Gaza and Sudan as well as Syria

Happy New Year 2024

I am angry and frustrated.

I find myself feeling angry and frustrated because I’ve come to realize that this world once again does not really care for us truly as Arabs and Mideasterners as well as Muslims.

A baby survived an Israeli shelling in Gaza by Belal Khaled 

What has been happening for over 85 days did not only change me, it changed all of us. Generations of Arabs and Muslims especially young ones who still had hope in this world, were let down.

Happy New Ancient Egyptian Year 6265 from Thoth

Today, on 9/11, we're kicking off the New Ancient Egyptian Year 6265 as per the Gregorian calendar. It's also the start of the Thout month.

The Ancient Egyptian calendar had a close connection to agriculture and the changing seasons.

That's why Thout marked the beginning of the Season of Akhet or flood season a crucial time for farming.

But, there's something else happening as Thout begins. Ethiopia just announced that the government finished filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) reservoir on Sunday. This news has left many Egyptians feeling uncertain about what the future holds. The Egyptian government has been vocal in expressing concerns about this, but they haven't shared a clear plan with the public.

In an effort to keep things light and informative, I'll do my best to strike that balance in this post.

Anyhow, on this special occasion, I'd like to share a photo of a statue surrounded by small statuettes

This is the statue of the ancient Egyptian deity Thoth as a sitting ibis.

Thoth statue at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo

I found the statue in 2016 at Gallery No.19 on the Upper Floor of the Egyptian Museum of Cairo. Gallery No.19 is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian deities 

Happy Hijri Year 1445 from Egyptian Chronicles

Happy New Hijri Year to all dears of Egyptian Chronicles around the globe whether Muslims or not.😀

Happy New Hijri year 1445 

Today is 1 Muharram 1445 Hijri. 

The Hijri year is the Islamic lunar calendar, which is used by Muslims to mark religious holidays and events. It begins with the year in which the Prophet Muhammad "PBUH" migrated from Mecca to Medina, which is considered a major turning point in the history of Islam.

May Allah bless you all this year. I pray that this year will be a better one for many people around the globe.

The people of Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Rohingya, Afghanistan and Palestine need your prayers for real. I pray that this year will witness the end of their agony.

P.S. In that handmade postcard made in Photoshop, the famous Sultan funerary complex in the heart of Islamic Cairo's El-Moez Street.