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What happened to Dija ??
2008-05-20 19:44:00
The first time the Egypt ians had seen Khadija El-Gamal who became afterwards Khadija Mubarak was in our World Economic forum/circus at Sharm El-Sheikh last year officially. Khadija after marrying Gamal did not appear that much in the media, the expected upcoming first lady of Egypt appeared in the media very few times counted on hand ,it is a wise thing because people already can't stand her husband Gamal whose photos are appearing on a daily basis in all publications in Egypt. Yet she appeared again in the World Economic Forum/Circus at Sharm El-Sheikh , I do not know why the WEF from all particular events she always attends , it is boring after all. Egyptian people are wise and let's say all the people who watched Bush's speech and Mubarak's speech did not stop at their war of the words' only but how Dija looked , Dija did not look this young cheerful blonde bombshell she used to be at all ,she looked thinner and sad Strangely some how these side talks found its way to...
More About: Society , Women

The tale of Omar Effendi
2008-05-19 20:39:00
Omar Effendi is not just a department Store in Egypt , in fact I think it is just like anything old and great from the 19th century holds too much inside . Omar Effendi if you do not know is from the oldest department stores in Egypt , in fact it may be the oldest , it was founded in 1856 by Adolf Orosodi, a Hungarian army officer who was a refugee in the Ottoman Empire , he opened in Galata a clothing store in 1855. Then he and his son began to open  similar stores and branches in Baghdad, Istanbul and Beirut before coming to Cairo and achieving that huge success. For decades many Egyptians knew it as Orosdi Back , when the 20th century came already Orosadi Back had opened up over 60 branches in Egypt . In 1920 the chain was sold to new owners who changed the name to become the iconic Omar Effendi , I think the new owners were French. Already the first 6 story branch and its main branch downtown at the corner of Abdel Aziz and Rushdie Streets  is considered a histori...
More About: History , Tale , Omar

Omar Effendi ad 1946 [Flickr]
2008-05-19 19:39:00
Kodak Agfa posted a photo: An old for Omar Effendi department store in 1946 , praising King Farouk and the Bare feet project, where the rich launced a compagin to gather donation to the low classes in Egypt , it took that name , because some of these classes then did not afford buy something to wear in their feet and thus the name I think it was a stupid provoking name
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No for this reason
2008-05-17 22:16:00
News reports are saying that Egypt ,the official Egypt did not receive or welcome Bush as it expected , Mubarak who is staying did not receive Bush warmly even he did not appear , well he made his press attack Bush and strangely outside they take our official press so serious , may be because it is the official spokesperson of the regime. On Friday the Al Ahram newspaper in its weekly edition opened its fire on Bush for its silly speech in Knesset , strangely this speech brought to him too much criticism , whether from inside America "the democrats" or from outside mainly from America's allies in the region from the Arabs. To be honest I do not give a damn for Bush Knesset's speech , because I know he would kiss Israel's ass sincerely and he would use this biblical language as a faithful Christian Zionist , no doubt in it. For your information Cairo is not angry from Bush for this reason because its President already congratulated Shimon Perez for 60th anniversary of Israel found...
More About: Politics , Media , Reason

Leave the messenger
2008-05-17 10:07:00
Do you remember James Buck,the America n photographer  and journalist who was detained by the Egypt ian Police for covering the Mahalla clashes last month ?? Whom the whole world spoke about when he used the bless of Web 2.0 aka twitter to send a SMS message to inform the whole world that he was arrested !! James was one of the few voices from outside that stood beside us sincerely , you all know that what happened in Mahalla was not covered outside as it should be. Anyhow James was freed immediately after the interference of the American Embassy and he had departed the country and despite that the Media secretary in our consulate in San Francesco tried to   let's say explain the misunderstanding that happened in Mahalla ,still James did not abandon the case as we say in Egypt . In fact James involved more and more especially when his Egyptian translator Mohammed Maree is detained up till this moment for no good reason at except that he was with James and was doing ...
More About: National , Leave , Democracy

Follow Up : Farewell Hadeel
2008-05-16 22:28:00
I wanted and wished that the next time when I write about Hadeel was the time she would recover from her severe illness and return back to her family, to her friends and to her blog. To be honest I have knew the news from minutes ago and I feel so sad ,despite I do not know her personally nor I was a regular reader to her blog , I visited her blog when I read about her story of illness and I was so sad to find that this talent go away like this . I do not know why I feel sad is it because Hadeel was young like me , she had just celebrated her 25th Birthday ?? !! Or because she is a blogger like ?? Or because she was talented ?? May be Blogging did not save her life but for sure it made so many people feel sad for her and consider her as another friend . It is strange because she is not the first blogger to die young , in Egypt we got Shimaa or Shiko who is not longer online , Shimaa wrote a farewell post in her blog because she was sick but Hadeel did not have the time to...
More About: Personal , Women , Health , Geek , Farewell

Review : A Nation in waiting
2008-05-16 21:03:00
I have just watching "A Nation in waiting" from the beginning till the ending and these are my remarks about this important documentary that Al Jazeera international produced to the west . Overall the documentary was unbiased, moderated. I do not know why Al Jazeera international ignored Mohammed Naguib and considered Nasser the first president of Egypt , Naguib was not just the first Egyptian President but he also was forced to leave the position and was sent in to internal exile because of supporting democracy and standing by the real 6 principles of revolution. Mubarak was so young in 1980s , seriously he looked so young and thin !! I could not stand the hypocrites of the NDP they hosted especially Ali El-Din Halal about the bridges his president ordered to be built People do not remember because they are ungrateful !!! #%&*# what ever this insult to him ,yes the Egyptians are like the cats ; they eat and deny "famous Egyptian proverb ab...
More About: Video , Media , National , Films

I want my old Omar Effendi back
2008-05-16 13:07:00
Today I visited Omar Effendi Ahmed Orabi branch and I could not believe myself how empty it became after the privatisation, I could not believe myself how this huge department store which I used to be afraid of losing my mom's hand when I was child during her shopping became so small and narrow. I remember Omar Effendi when it was a public owned , it was like a real department store and here I am not speaking about clothes , but I am saying that you could find all what you could find in it stuff like Home appliances from A to Z , Kitchen stuff , bathroom stuff , some furniture , my computer desk I am setting on currently was from there , carpets , bed sheets , the cotton products section there was always full of Arabs from the Gulf. They even had a pet section , they used to sell pets from tiny turtles , fish and birds there. It was not that bad before the privatisation. Yes it was a public sector department store and yes it was not for Class A ,Yes it was not the most advanced...
More About: Society , Economy , Egypt , Back

To celebrate the occasion
2008-05-16 12:46:00
This is a bit late , pardon me I was following the Lebanese issue and I forgot that important occasion. Please read this post first Please buy this book , it is from the most honest and important books published in the West about Egypt's in Mubarak's era. The book discusses shocking facts Amazon.com: Inside Egypt Also Al Jazeera international aired a documentary about Egypt after Mubarak's 80th birthday , its name is "A Nation in waiting " , the nation of of course is the Egyptian ,I do not know what they think the Egyptian nation is waiting for ?? By the way the Egyptian media ignored this important documentary. Technorati Tags: Egypt,Mubarak,President,Hosni Mubarak,Mideast,Middle East,Books ,Democracy,Egyptians,media,nati onal,politics,video,Al jazeera international,John R.Bardley
More About: Video , Politics , Media , National

About the future of Lebanon
2008-05-16 12:17:00
Please read this small article about the uncertain future of Lebanon from the Time Magazine Andrew Lee Butters from Beirut. This is what the Neo Conservatives want to happen, they wanted Saniora to push Hezbollah more and more till it used its weapons or its allies weapons against its follow Lebanese from another sects and how they want the country to be divided in to a very famous map A Christian State in the North and the mount , A Shiite State in the South with a part in Beirut and little tiny place for the Sunni , the Radical Sunnis from around the globe to fight the Shiite in the South just like Iraq , another Muslim - Muslim Clash ,already we should not forget that Al Hariri funded radical Sunni groups in the Nahr El-Bard refugee Camp and I remember during the Israeli invasion in 2006 , these groups planed to kill Hassan Nasrallah. The story will not finish here because not only the Muslim Sect will have its fight but also the Christians will fight on who will be the lea...
More About: Politics , Regional , Future , The Future

Mona El-Shazely's interview with Bush
2008-05-16 11:17:00
Here is the interview in D.C that caused a lot of stir back in Cairo for Mona El-Shazely Please click Here , it is in Arabic . I wish that Mona would publish the complete English interview so the Westerns especially America ns would know what their President said Update : Here it is from Youtube , thanks to anonymous commenter Mona El-Shazely's interview with G.W Bush Technorati Tags: America,Mona El-Shazely,Dream TV,News,Media ,Video,G.W Bush,Egypt ,Cairo,D.C,Citizen Journalism,mideast,Middle East
More About: Interview

And why would he set him free ??
2008-05-15 20:46:00
I found this photo from Israel , I think it was from the L.A Times Middle East blogBush Free your captive !!! Well this is one hell for a reception !!I am sorry but please remind me again why Bush should free hiscaptive Jonathan Pollard !!??? I can't believe those Israelis considering Bush with allwhat gave and is giving them from aid that he is like their enemiesHamasand Hezbollah because he did not free Pollard !!?? With my all respect I know Pollard is a Jewish Israeli hero but in the UnitedStates he is a traitor , why Bush would release if he betrayed the UnitedStates!! Already I do not understand the Israeli mentality in Spying on their bestallies in the world ,I do not understand it and I do not find any excuse!!?? There is an Egyptian Common saying that says : " If your baby is honey , do not lick it all" Technorati Tags: Israel,Bush,America ,spying,Espionage,Jona than Jay Pollard,Tel Aviv,Mideast,Middle East,photos,regional
More About: International

Amey Mathews' Baby leaders
2008-05-15 19:13:00
Amey Mathews is a wonderful talented artist who gave us the opportunity to look back when the leaders of this world whether presidents of kings , religious leaders or public figures were innocent babies and Children. Please enjoy her paintings         ;   King Abdallah of Jordan       ;       0;       Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma P.S this is for the Nakaba 60th anniversary   I found a painting for Ariel Sharon when he was a child , oh yes this war criminal sleeping beauty was a child once upon time !!?? I think this man had one hell of miserable child , he would go behind cats and suffocate them , seriously this kind of personality that loves destruction and blood surely did not have an ideal childhood Look as a Muslim and Egyptian I should not attack a sick man but unfortunately this man did a lot against the Egyptians and Arabs ,...
More About: Baby , Culture , Arts , Leaders

Links of the day : A Metro Station or a museum ?? Some one at la
2008-05-14 19:36:00
This Spanish Post about a Metro/Underground/Subway Station in Moscow , it is not your average Egypt ian Metro Station by all Means . You do not have to know Spanish to read the post , do like me and enjoy the wonderful interior design of this station I do not recall that I saw this childish smile on the face of Queen Elizabeth , her smiles were always official cold royal ones ,sometimes a smug . Enjoy these photos for Queen Elizabeth II enjoying a steam train trip wearing a head scarf giving her the looks of An Old British simple lady The pharmacy of the Pharaohs is now under the microscope of the university of Manchester , another interesting thing about our ancestor , I wonder why we do not do these researches on our own and we already have the ability to do it Technorati Tags: Queen Elizabeth II,Photos,UK,Russia,Moscow,Subway,undergr ound,interior design,decoration,Pharaohs,ancient Egypt,Egypt,history,Science,pharamcy,geek
More About: Women , History , Links , Arts

Lebanon was always a democracy
2008-05-14 13:08:00
Reuters published an interesting analysis essay regarding what happened to Lebanon from a victory to Hezollah and allies , describing it as another blow to Bush administration,it is very interesting but I want to clear something because I hate this wrong information Here is the link : http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ B599715.htm { Sorry I am trying the Blog it application from Facebook}G.W Bush did not bring democracy to Lebanon , Lebanon was ,is and will be always a democratic country , their elections were always democratic so it is not an achievement for Bush . The achievement which can be considered an achievement or a victory to Bush is when the Syria were out of Lebanon thanks to the people's anger. For the record the Syrians came to Lebanon by the request of the American , this is a historical fact.Already if Bush thinks that his allies are the perfect example of his kind of democracy : Corrupted Personalities :Saniora, ex-war princes: Jomblatt,Gaegae and Gumayel ar...
More About: Democracy

The interview in the White house
2008-05-13 23:18:00
Wow I have just finished watching Mona El-Shazely's very quick, very short ,very powerful and successful interview with G.W Bush. The exclusive interview that lasted for 10 minutes only I believe was the most interesting interview G.W Bush ever made for an Arabic TV , all previous interviews were long, boring and questions were repeated over and over just like the answers  but this time it was different may be because the interviewer was different. Mona had few time and thus she decided along with her excellent editing team to find the best four questions that can cover most important topics currently in Egypt and outside Egypt. I was scared that he would repeat his nonsense regarding Lebanon in which he said in BBC Arabic and Al Arabiya yesterday  but clever Mona had other more important questions. Important questions that made me understand why the public media is attacking her and made me fear that she would face another hate campaign. The first question was ab...
More About: America , Media , House , White House

Another bad day for Syria
2008-05-13 20:04:00
At last something official came about Tarek , who was arrested without a trial;  kidnapped if I want to be specific; from 7/7/07 "One special date you can't forget " The court at last said its word and it was not a just one as it should be , the court ordered to jail Tarek 3 years for the charge of criticizing  the security authorities !!!????????????? I feel so sad and angry for him and for his mother !! I do not have anything to say , it is something expected for an old dictatorship like the Syria n regime. It is not over in Syria Internet users are reporting that the Arab ic Wikipedia in Syria is blocked !!?? oh yes the Arabic version of Wikipedia is blocked !!?? Wonder why !!?? Seriously it is nothing compared to the English wikipedia and the scandals of the Assad regime there !!?? Well may be they will blocked it too soon ?? Technorati Tags: Syria,Tarek Biassi,Bloggers,blogging,Arab,regional,Mi deast,middle East,Democracy,human rights,wikipedia,geek
More About: Regional , Geek

Walid Jumblatt ; a man for all seasons
2008-05-13 17:13:00
Walid Jumblatt or Jombalt "or even Gombalt" is the perfect example  for how a politician can be as deceivable and liar , he is the perfect example for the term "A Man for all seasons" , I used to admire him in the past , may be because we lack the political leader personality in Egypt but through time I discovered he is that he is not honest or honourable as he claimed , unfortunately I discover this too late in the July 2006 Lebanon war. {To be honest I found through my search in the Internet personal shocking rumours and photos but because I am trying to keep it professional, I will not even hint to it from near or far } Walid Bek Jonbalt is an example for the Lebanese leaders who are acting on behalf of other countries and interests than the Lebanese general interest , not even for the interest of his Druze sect. This man changed in his political position in the last 20 years more than anyone I recall. Just look to the known history of this , the pub...
More About: Seasons , Books , Arab

Mona El-Shazely in D.C : Envy or hate
2008-05-12 20:54:00
Mona El-Shazely ,my favourite TV host in the Egypt ian TV channels made a huge success when she surprised everyone and travelled to the U.S to Washington in order to have an interview with G.W Bush Yes for the first time in the history of the Egyptian TV channels the America n President appears in interview with an Egyptian TV host.               ;       0;      
60;   Mona El-Shazely I know it is G.W Bush , the most hated American President in the middle East and Islamic world and I know very well it is the last attempt to come closer to the Arab people especially Egyptians "Dream TV viewers are mostly Egyptians"  still I am happy for Mona regardless what is said because if I were her place I would be happy and consider this some success in my career from the journalistic point of view regardless of what I believe and think about ...
More About: Media , Women , Hate

Not a secret anymore
2008-05-12 17:18:00
Some times I wonder Where is Egypt from what is going in Sudan ?? It is part from national security and since General Omar Soliman took the file of Sudan we do not know where or what our stand is from it !! To be honest I think the Sudanese issue is from the issues that we do not follow the United States administration in it , thank Goodness for that. I do not know if you know or not but there was an attack on the Sudanese capital Khartoum by the Darfur rebels , yes I know it is strange because this is the capital and should be a fortress to any attack , but what you know , it seems that the Sudanese army need an urgent help for Egypt that Mubarak ordered the EAF to send a couple of air fighters to the capital and an army cargo military plane to the Khartoum on Saturday according to the eye witnesses to Reuters . No body mentioned anything in the news about any aid from kind to Khartoum , all views now towards Lebanon. It is a little dirty secret that may be put the Egyptian reg...
More About: Politics , Africa , National Security , Regional

Follow Up : Egypt's love birds
2008-05-12 11:53:00
Do you remember those two love birds ??? Guess what they tied the knot last month in very luxurious wedding just like Hania and her groom ,whom I also knew that they tied the knot in another very luxurious wedding. This is just to keep up to date and follow up to every thing that happens in Cairo :) The  ad of to Dalia from Fadl is still there in the street by the way. Technorati Tags: Egypt,Society ,Citizen Journalism demcocracy,Egyptian Life,Follow Up,mideast,middle East,Africa
More About: Love , Birds

Follow up : Lebanon ; independent army
2008-05-11 16:12:00
I have never seen such independent army anymore except in Lebanon , seriously the army either follows the President or the Cabinet , it did not happen in place in the world except in Lebanon , an exceptional country for sure . The army in Lebanon may be the last neutral institution in the country , not with this party nor with this party and this something it should be credited for. and it is unusual in Lebanon. I know officially Lebanon got no Defense minister but still officially they follow the cabinet , but they do not actually and this is the best thing because if they followed the orders of this cabinet , Lebanon instead of walking,stopping and avoiding the civil war route will be jumping madly to it. The Lebanese did not listen to the orders of the cabinet to arrest or to fight the Hezbollah or its allies elements , instead it went for months after the 14th of March parties centers in Lebanon and taking their weapons they were hiding ,  these weapons would have do...
More About: Regional , Army , Independent , Arab

Follow Up : Lebanon Crisis , news,maps, cartoons and myths
2008-05-11 15:55:00
News : Today the Arab Foreign ministers are going to meet to Cairo to discuss too late as usual the Lebanese crisis, I do not know what they can do , already the millions Saudi Arabia spent to help the 14th of March parties against Hezbollah did not do anything. The signal of the Future TV channels on the Nile Sat is back , but without broadcasting; only a white screen with a message informing the viewers that they will return so soon. Al Arabiya officially in the last 48 hours became the spokesperson of the 14th of March against Hezbollah in the region. Al Jazeera somehow was neutral. Hezbollah's Al Manar was so clever to air quotes from the late Hariri SR over and over as the martyr Hariri said in their promos. The famous TV host and astrologer Magi Farah met on a daily basis in the last three days with the leaders of the opposition. Things are very quiet in Lebanon , taking in consideration that the army is controlling most of both the pro...
More About: News , Media , Cartoons , Regional

Follow Up : Photos from Beirut
2008-05-11 14:32:00
These are some photos from Carole Kerbage from Beirut yesterday and the days before , thanks again to Farfahinne.The photos include photos of solidarity march with Future TV after its old building was set on fire on Friday , also some photos are from the Strike day , the most recent are on the top Technorati Tags: Lebaon,Beirut,Photos ,Lebanese,Mideast,mid dle East,civil war,clashes,Hezbollah,14th of March,future TV,army,news,follow Up
More About: Lebanon , Regional , Arab

From the treasures of the Egyptian Radio and Television
2008-05-11 12:03:00
The Egyptian Radio and Television got treasures my generation and the previous generation still remember and are proud of knowing them by heart , we are not like the Melody generation. Now the video below is a cartoon made in the 1990s to a Radio Operetta produced I think in the 1950s , yes a very old and beautiful Children Operetta that almost all Egyptians know by their hearts It became a part of our culture , its lyrics and terms are used in our lives , especially in our birthday celebrations. The operetta is about the Birthday of the crown prince of all the forest birds Mr. Abu El-Fasd ,all the birds decided to make a big birthday for the little cute fellow you can see him in the last part of the video , little tiny blue fluffy thing At first there is a part where Uncle Crow , the oldest bird in the forest is telling the bird which of them will play specific musical instrument , for example the the Canary bird will be become the violin and so on . legendary comedian Foua...
More About: Video , Society , Media

Some good environmental news at last
2008-05-10 12:01:00
This is from NPR ,do you know that Aga Khan Foundation is sponsoring another very promising project in Islamic Cairo , in the poor slams which is installing environment-friendly solar hot-water heaters ?? Of course you did not hear about it in our media but you can hear about it here what I did not like is that part about how Muslims in Egypt can Work with Christians hello !!?? this is Egypt; Muslims work with Christians all the time , they are speaking as if it were a miracle Technorati Tags: Egypt,Enviroment,Enviormentalists,News ,me dia,NPR,Podcast,Aga Khan Foundation,Islamic Cairo,Cairo,Society ,International,Egyptia n Life
More About: Media , Health , Nature

And another year passed
2008-05-10 10:13:00
On the 4th of May 2008 President Mubarak celebrated his birthday in the Oraba Presidential Palace to become one of the oldest rulers in the world and also in the history of Egypt including the ancient one "yes the Ancient one" .Not only he is oldest but also he scored a record in staying as a President for 27 years , his competitors are other dictators in the third world who are falling down either by disease in case of Castro or time in case of Robert Mugabe or death as the rest of the leaders of the Arab world and as we are expecting in Egypt. There are generations in Egypt who opened their eyes and saw no other no president except like me , well other generations two or three or even four including the king !!?? Very heavy 27 years they were , I will not say that they were all bad or they were all great but mostly especially in the last years they were like big burden not only on the Egyptian people but the future citizens of this nation , you know what is like ??It is like the ...
More About: National , Democracy , Year

What a coincidence
2008-05-09 17:57:00
This coincidence  shows you how the Egypt , Syria and Lebanon are too close to each whether on the Governmental level or the public level. Last Week Mubarak announced a 30% raise in Egypt Last week Bashar announced a 25% raise in Syria Then this week the Egyptian Government raised the prices of fuel products along with other products Also this week the Syrian Government raised the prices of fuel products along with other products To Lebanon The Pro-American Cabinet that no one wants it more because of its economic and political decisions raised the prices of fuel products along with other products and now people are really angry not because of sectarian reasons or Hezbollah or Iran but because of the prices. Technorati Tags: Lebanon,Egypt,Syria,Economy ,Politics ,Arab ,mideast,Middle East,regional,news,prices

Too late
2008-05-09 17:04:00
Egypt and Saudi Arabia announced that they are going to have an urgent meeting in the Arab League for the Arab foreign ministers after two days from today , oh yes after two days ; on Monday !!?? Either that Egypt and Saudi Arabia are waiting to see which side will win and so they will form a position despite their support to the 14th of March or that they are waiting form some external miracle to come and save  the 14th of March from a bitter defeat !! I do not know what could happen in the next 48 hours , it seems to me that Nasrallah was not kidding when he hinted that he could control Beirut in short time , well he Syria wisely said along Qatar that this is an internal Lebanese issue they do not have to deal with it , did not the world always blame Syria for interfering in the Lebanese issue ?? Well they do not interfere  !! By the way what the Syrian Social party did to the old building of Future TV is unacceptable and insult to Syria and the opposition before ...
More About: Politics , Lebanon , Egypt , Regional

Look who is talking ??
2008-05-09 11:32:00
From fours days ago the Egypt ian Ministers spoke on the News night talk shows to justify the latest economic decisions of the Nazif cabinet. Minister Ahmed Al Magrabhi said on Al Mahwar 90 minutes unrealistic claims that these decisions were taken to help the poor and they will take from the rich and give to the poor !! Sorry the correct terms take from the Capable to the incapable !!?? as you see vague terms !! Define the Capable and the Incapable !! He also mentioned something about the Social justice !! Anyhow I do not think that Choosing Ahmed Al Magrabhi who is heading some committee was a correct choice to speak about the living situation in Egypt , the social justice and the poor Vs. Rich. How will Ahmed Al Magrabhi , the billionaire who lived most of his life in Saudi Arabia will feel or know how the Egyptian Middle and low working class live !!?? Technorati Tags: Egypt,Ahmed Al Magrabhi,TV,Shows,Economy ,prices,citizen Journalism,news,opinion
More About: Media , Talking