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.

Voting Girl 2019 : Constitutional amendments referendum edition "Updated"

The pink finger is back

Your Voting girl is back with her pink finger: Constitutional amendments referendum 2019 edition. As a good Egyptian, I participated in the constitutional amendments referendum. 

I voted against the amendments and I guess I made my point here in that post. 

What have I seen? I was lucky enough to take a quick tour in the main Agouza and Downtown Cairo polling station.

I have seen it all and seen it first hand. I heard to first-hand accounts and second-hand accounts.

I have seen how working-class ladies wearing their black abayas bringing their kids and neighbors standing in queues to get those food supplies coupons for their vote in makeshift kiosks set up by MPs and members of Pro-regime parties like The future of Homeland.

One of those makeshift "help" tents in Downtown Cairo on Sunday

February 2019 Supermoon in photos from Egypt

Here are couple of photos of the Supermoon that shined magnificently around the world on Tuesday .
I wanted to take more shots in interesting locations like the pyramids of the citadel or  Cairo tower but unfortunately it is still winter in Egypt and a bit cold at night.

Photos of the week : It is all about liberty

Liberty and freedom are the true meaning of this week’s best photos from my humble simple point of view.
The first photo of the week is that photo taken by Palestinian photographer Mustafa Hassouna of Anadolu News agency on Monday 22, October at the Mediterranean Sea as protesters tried to end Gaza blockade by sea for the 13th time.

Anger and liberty lead the people in Gaza 

In the first glance, you will be amazed by how beautiful this photo capturing that moment of defiance and dignity at that Gaza seashore.
In the second glance, that photo will remind with none other than that famous painting representing the French revolution
That one
This is 1830-“Liberty leading people” by Eugene Delacroix.
That’s a Delacroix’ living photo with doubt and it is about liberty.
The hero of that photo that looks like a modern day David standing against Israeli Goliath is named A’ed Abu Amr and he goes to protests with that same flag he was carrying in the photo.

“If I get killed, I want to be wrapped by the same flag,” He said as there is a fear that he will be identified and killed by Israeli snipers. I fear that but I think his world fame now can give him some protection, hopefully, it will.
In statements about his new fame, the young man from Gaza said that he and other Palestinians were demanding the right of return and the dignity of the future generation.
The Palestinians want to be free, want liberty for real.
They want to break that inhuman blockade that stripped them from all the basic needs in the world. They will break that blockade sooner and later.

The second photo is sad and I believe if Eugene Delacroix or any of those romantic lithography painters saw it, it would inspire them as some Arabian tragedy.

Blood Lunar Eclipse 2018 : From Cairo with love

It is said to be the longest lunar eclipse our part of the world would see in the 21st century and so I could not ignore it. I had waited for it since I read the news earlier July.
When the eclipse started, I could not see it from our house’s balcony because it was hiding behind a big tree “I am praying that tree is left alone and to be completely ignored by the municipality workers”  and so I had to go to the street to see that beautiful transformation of the moon.

The partial lunar eclipse 

Again I made a scene in the street as I stood with tripod paying gazing at the star. I listened to very expected comments especially from teenage boys who were wondering what I was photographing.
Only a nice old couple praised my action for photographing the moon.

The partial lunar eclipse 

“Bravo,” The old man and his wife who kept following the moon eclipse told me when they saw me with my camera and tripod.

The Big Black sarcophagus Circus of Alexandria

Earlier Thursday, the Egyptian authorities surprised the world by its decision to open that big black mysterious sarcophagus found earlier July in Alexandria governorate and the whole matter turned in to another original Egyptian black comedy with crazy statements and red piss water 10,000 people want to drink from all over the world.

The original black sarcophagus as found in Alexandria 

I remember Egypt’s ministry of antiquities announced that it would open that black granite sarcophagus in a big event allowing international media to cover just like what it had done with the colossal statue of King Psmatik I in Matareya in March 2017.

Inviting international media to cover the event especially all the world was technically speaking and wondering about who was in that sarcophagus could have an excellent move. People from all over the world were excited according to comments online especially it is black sarcophagus like the one in the Mummy shitty film franchise.😒😒

It was a good opportunity to promote for Alexandria as a historical place full of historical touristic ancient sites and museums.

The fact that that sarcophagus is made of granite, which is an expensive material only found in Aswan made may speculate that it could be a man of high status.
Some even had a wild imagination that it could be the tomb of Alexander, the great. It is wild imagination because historically and logically that small tomb could not be the tomb of the greatest military commander in ancient World who allegedly died somewhere near India.
Nevertheless, that excitement was not used properly.

Egyptian journalists knew about the opening operation only on Wednesday and those who were lucky enough to go were not allowed to go and film the operation directly.

There was military police guarding the location that was covered by tent cloth similar to Croatia flag.

The Croatia tent coth in the location at Sidi Gabr in Alexandria
"Al Watan newspaper"

I understood that the military police was there because the ministry of antiquities needed to use a crane owned by the army to lift up the heavy granite sarcophagus which nobody even dared to ask how it was put down so low.

I know that modern day Alexandria was built over layers of old Alexandrias but still one must wonder especially we are speaking about granite brought from Aswan in the South of Egypt.

The #Photo That Summarizes The Situation of Media in #Egypt

This photo taken today by Jared Malsin was the best visual summarization of the situation of media in Egypt in general.

By Jared Malsin

This was taken outside the court at Tora where the shameful trial of Al Jazeera journalists was held. This was after the trial.

There is Always Hope : Little Smiles From #Fayoum

Sometimes you need to see such photos to give hope in the future , yes a simple pure hope from simple little smile can change your mood. 
This photo is from those simple little things that can give hope.

By Mohamed El Kordy

Those adorable little girls are from Izzabt Soliman in Fayoum and that precious beautiful moment was captured by Mohamed El Kordy “via Wael Ghonim ”

#Nov23 : Tahrir protest in picture

These are photos I took from Tahrir square from 10 AM to 3.30 PM CLT.

The best photo indeed to represent #Egypt

This photo won the first prize in a photo competition held by the Dutch ministry of foreign affairs.

It was taken by the embassy of Netherlands in Cairo at the famous Friday market "Flea popular market". 
This photo is remarkable , old mirror used to be at some rich house in Egypt , a kid seems to be from working class and the iconic Nasr128 car in the reflection all in a flea market !! 

One must wonder if the Ministry of foreign affairs in Egypt can hold such competition for our diplomatic commissions abroad.

The photo of the week : From Homs

This photo was taken from two days in Homs , in Jourit Al Shayah By Lens Young Homsi

There is no comment I think of when I see this destruction that reminds me with the WWII photos !! 

#June2 : The photos of the Day

Today was a big day marked in the history of modern Egypt as the day where Egypt’s former president is being sentenced 25 years in jail. “Despite he can appeal the verdict”. Here are the best photos of the day.

Mubarak in the cage , nice watch "Reuters" 

The photo of the week : A look and a look

I will work hard to return this sweet post on a weekly basis insh Allah.

A look and a look "Al Masry Al Youm"

From Mubarak’s trial today by the photographer of Al Masry Al Youm

Technorati Tags: Photo of the week,Mubarak's trial,Mubarak,Politics,Egypt

The Photo of The day : A New country

No comment

The question is : would the States and the West stand with South Sudan if it has not go oil or it was not located in this strategic position !!? I do not think so
No comment except that I do not trust a man who wears a hat given by G.W Bush day and night as some sort of pride !! Anyhow I am waiting to hear the adventures of the New Karzai in the South.
Another fiasco for Mubarak , one of his jewels actually in his 30 years of achievements. Yes I am being biased after all when I hear that the new Rosemary’s baby will be called “The Nile republic” then I must be more worried. Having an embassy and bunch of projects  will not protect our interests , the new republic was built by the blessings and the support of our enemies.

The Wall Includes Khaled Said

Just from two days ago Roger Waters of Pink Floyd had a concert in Florida as part of his “The Wall 2010/2011”. The concert was a true successful one as according to press in Florida more than 14,000 attended the veteran British rock icon’s concert. The concert was amazing its audio and visual effects especially and the messages it sent considering the fact that the concert theme or the tour was based on historical “The Wall” album. According to what I knew there was that “Wall” screen that showed the photos from fallen soldiers and civilians around the globe. Among those fallen civilians was late Khaled Said , our Khaled Said of Egypt , of Alexandria , of Cleopatra Who was not brutality murdered but also is being defamed by a disrespectful regime.

Khaled Said 3rd from left "Khaled Said FB group"

And this is the Photo of the week.
We knew about Khaled’s photo in this concert but his photo will tour the world insh Allah hopefully.
Thank you Mr. Waters and your crew for bringing the world attention to Khaled Said.
Here aare the photos of Khaled in Roger Waters official website.

Fallen Loved one 

Khaled Said page in Fallen loved one 

I wonder if our media is going to mention this or not.
FYI there was a woman from Egypt who dedicated her pilgrimage to the Holy land this year to late Khaled.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Khaled Said,Alexandria,Pink Floyd,Roger Waters,Media,Music,The Wall,America,Florida,concerts,Human rights,torture,Police,Mideast

The Expressive Photos of The Day

I could not keep myself from posting these photos below , they are expressive naturally.
The first one is from Youm 7 coverage from Siyad El-Badawy’s big day yesterday when a group of the fake Dostor journalists went to him a flower bouquet thanking him for the trouble he faced “not the trouble he made”

What is this expressive pose !!?? The little excited girl who has just seen Justin Beiber in person pose !!?
The second one is from today’s issue of Al Shorouk newspaper , the old guard and the neo-guard of the NDP , the most dangerous men in Egypt.

I did not know that they are planning but whenever they win , we will lose for sure.

Technorati Tags: Citizen journalism,Egypt,Egyptians,Media,Photos,Expressive images,Photos of the week,Mideast,Dostor,Ahmed Ezz,Safwat Al Sharif,Siyad Badawy

The Photo Of The Week : Rima In Cairo

Ok do not worry the photo of the week is not an expressive photo for Mubarak or son , it is for Miss Rima Fakih , Miss USA 2010 who is currently visiting Egypt.

Who are you lady !!?

The kid’s reaction is priceless.
This photo was taken in the Al Orman Orphanage society.
Will Rima visit Lebanon ?? Will she visit South Lebanon !!?

Photo source : AP

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,America,Arab,photos,Women,Photo of the week,Society,Rima Fakih

Al Ahram’s Way to Photoshop of Horror

Al Ahram thinks that we are still living n the Nasserite era where it can change facts as much it could and nobody will pay attention. I always know that they edit news but I did not know that they edit in photos aside from the usual slight retouch to give the youth look to our old regime faces but  heavy retouch !!?? well we did not see it coming.
Today Al Ahram is celebrating the second round of direct talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis at Sharm, there are two full pages dedicated to Mubarak effort in the peace talks which I did not pay attention to , of course if I paid attention like Wael , I would notice something which is far more interesting than the talks.

The old Man of The Middle East !!

These photos show a kind soft side of Obama who is listening carefully to an old Middle Eastern man visiting him at the White House .

That photo shows the concern of Abbas, Abdullah and Obama.
Mubarak wants to run for presidential elections for the sixth time for another six years

Technorati Tags: Citizen Jounralism,Obama,Mubarak,Abdullah II,Abu Mazan,Abbas,Palestine,Israel,Peace process,Washington D.C,Politics,Mideast,Middle East,Photos of the week

The photos of The Week : An Invention Called Luggage !!

Qaddafi is visiting Rome and any good photographer should stalk him like a good paparazzo because honestly you will get interesting shots in a way or another , Qaddafi is against boredom
The king of kings of African jungles, Safari and deserts¹ also the catwalks came with his usual Amazonian bodyguards and luckily Getty’s photographer did not leave as soon as Qaddafi reached the ground as what he caught later was not less interesting then what is coming from his own Libyan air force 1 or whatever he calls it.