~egyptian-streets | Bookmarks (341)

Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning film No Other Land, was reportedly assaulted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and subsequently detained by Israeli soldiers on Monday, 25 March, according to his colleagues and eyewitness accounts. Several witnesses have confirmed the attack to the media. Ballal’s co-director, Basel Adra, told CNN that he went to Ballal’s home in the West...

Ramadan drinks have long been a staple of Egyptian culture, with classics like sobia and kharoub. This year, there’s a growing trend of incorporating these traditional beverages into modern café culture, merging nostalgia with contemporary tastes. Sobia, a sweet, coconut-based milk drink, kharoub, a refreshing, naturally sweet carob juice, tamarind, hibiscus, and apricot-based kamar el din made their annual return to iftar tables. But,...

Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) announced on 21 March that Eid al-Fitr will fall on Sunday 30 March based on astronomical calculations. The date coincides with projections in several Arab countries, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal. In line with this announcement, Egypt has confirmed that the official Eid al-Fitr holiday will...

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has issued a reminder to Egyptian customers regarding the payment of customs duties on imported mobile devices.  In a recent announcement, NTRA emphasized that users must pay a customs duty of 37.5 percent on their imported phones by 7 April, 2025.  This includes a breakdown of fees: 14 percent value-added tax, 10 percent customs fees, 5 percent resource...

Cities often communicate through their towering skyscrapers, their concrete structures, and the glaring lights that define their skyline. But at times, cities also speak through their community centers, celebrations, and the warmth of shared traditions. In this instance, although a city like New York might appear to communicate solely through its towering skyscrapers, Ramadan unveils an entirely distinct facet of the city. It reveals...

Golden, crispy, and drenched in fragrant syrup, Loqmet Adi  is the ultimate Egyptian dessert bite. With a delicate crunch that gives way to a soft, airy center, these sweet fritters are addictive from the very first bite. Whether you prefer them coated in syrup or dusted with cinnamon and sugar, these fried delights are a must-try for any lover of Middle Eastern desserts. Also...

Buried for over 2,500 years, a collection of intricately crafted jewelry from the Dynasty 26 has resurfaced at Karnak Temple.  The discovery was made by the Egyptian-French archaeological mission of the Egyptian-French Centre for the Study of Karnak Temples (CFEETK) in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in February 2025. The artifacts, found...

In a world where polygamy is often viewed with skepticism and moral alarm, Hafsa Rizki offers a different perspective. For many, the idea of one husband having multiple wives conjures images of jealousy, injustice, and broken homes. Indeed, polygamy is globally rare – only about two percent of people live in polygamous households, and in most countries, it is under 0.5 percent​. In Egypt,...

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Egypt on 7 and 8 April to discuss the Arab-backed plan for rebuilding Gaza, alongside broader regional developments. The visit was announced on Friday, 21 March, following a European summit in Brussels.  Macron has previously praised Egypt’s efforts in supporting Gaza’s residents and emphasized the importance of collective action to prevent further escalation and push for...

The Egyptian State Information Service (SIS) has denied on Friday, 21 March recent media reports by Israeli media of relocating 500,000 Gaza residents to North Sinai. The report claims that Egypt is prepared to “temporarily relocate half a million Gaza residents to a designated city in North Sinai as part of reconstruction efforts.” SIS reaffirmed that since October 2023 when Israel declared war with...

As the light of dawn breaks over Cairo, signaling the start of another day of fasting during Ramadan, Egyptians eagerly anticipate the moment when they can indulge in one of the holy month’s most cherished traditions: the sweet, crunchy delight of qatayef. Qatayef, which are dumplings or folded pancakes, are cooked on the stove.  A batter similar to this of pancakes is cooked on...

Amid the drumbeats and celebratory chants of a zaffa, which means a procession or march in Arabic, a couple’s journey into marriage begins with spectacle. The zaffa, a traditional wedding procession deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culture, particularly in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, holds a special place in Egyptian wedding ceremonies. It symbolizes the grand entrance of the bridal party and...

Every year on March 21, families across Egypt and the Arab world celebrate Mother’s Day—a day dedicated to honoring the love, sacrifices, and dedication of mothers.  While the tradition of celebrating motherhood dates back to ancient civilizations, the modern version of Mother’s Day in Egypt has a unique origin, rooted in the country’s media landscape and the efforts of two pioneering journalists, Mostafa Amin...

No Other Land, an Oscar-winning documentary co-directed by Palestinians Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal and Israelis Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, offers a profound exploration of the ongoing destruction of villages in the West Bank.  At its core lies the compelling story of Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who unite in their fight against the systematic...

Imagine starting your morning sipping coffee by the Red Sea, and by afternoon standing at the foot of the mighty Karnak Temple or gazing at the Great Pyramid of Giza.  In Egypt, ancient wonders and natural beauty are often just a day trip away. Whether you are visiting bustling Cairo, unwinding in Hurghada or diving in Sharm El Sheikh, these day trips are perfect...

Egypt recorded a historic primary surplus of EGP 330 billion during the first eight months of the fiscal year (July 2024–February 2025), according to Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk. During a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Kouchouk highlighted a 38.4 percent year-on-year increase in tax revenues, marking the highest annual growth rate in years.  He also noted that debt management strategies have helped distribute...

At least one United Nations (UN) staff member has been killed and five others injured following an explosion at two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah, central Gaza, on Wednesday, announced the UN. The UN confirmed the attack was not due to its personnel handling unexploded ordnance. The head of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, speaking in Brussels,...

Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, met with Member of Parliament (MP), Yasmin Qureshi, the United Kingdom (UK) Trade Envoy to Egypt, and British Ambassador, Gareth Bayley, on Tuesday, 18 March, to explore ways to enhance health cooperation between Egypt and the UK. The meeting, which took place in the New Administrative Capital, focused on ongoing medical...

Engineer Amr Gazarin, Executive Chairman of Orascom Pyramids Projects, announced that a trial phase for visitors to the Giza Pyramids’ newly revamped area will commence on 7 April. During this period, access to the site will be facilitated through a newly established entrance off the Fayoum highway. The official full opening of the revitalized Pyramids area is scheduled for 3 July, coinciding with the...

Spacetoon, the Arabic animation and kids’ entertainment channel, announced on Instagram on its 25th anniversary, 16 March, that Ahmed El-Ghandour, widely known as El Daheeh (The Nerd), will be joining Spacetoon with a brand-new animated series titled Akher Daheeh Ala El Ard (The Last Nerd on Earth). El-Ghandour is a content creator, known for his engaging and thought-provoking educational content, making this collaboration a...

Egypt has issued a strong condemnation of the recent Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which began early on Tuesday 18 March 2025.  Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence by reiterating its rejection of Israeli actions aimed at reigniting tensions.  According to Gaza’s health ministry, the overnight bombardment has led to severe casualties and extensive destruction across various...

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi announced on Monday, 17 March, that the Suez Canal is losing approximately USD 800 million (EGP 40.37 billion) in revenue each month due to ongoing regional tensions.  This statement came during the annual iftar banquet hosted by the armed forces in Cairo. The Iftar was attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Hanafi Gebaly, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly,...

At least 330 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip overnight following a wave of Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The strikes come after negotiations to extend the ceasefire failed, marking the deadliest escalation since the truce took effect on 19 January. The Israeli military described the bombardment as “extensive,” targeting what it called “terror targets” belonging to Hamas. Prime Minister...

The rise of Egyptian footballers, Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in English football is nothing short of transformative for Egyptian fans. With Salah lighting up the pitch at Liverpool and Marmoush making waves at Manchester City, these two athletes have ignited a passion for the game that transcends borders and generations.  Their success represents a shift in how Egyptians view their potential in football...