For remembrance of the man.

Every 6th of October is always a school day, and for remembrance of our war- Egyptians- and victory over Israel in Sinai, we have the 6th of every October a day- off.

I was asked this year to write a 150 words paragraph of what comes to  mind when we mention the name of  Anwar El Sadat-Egypt's ex-president and leader of 1973 war R.I.P.

 

For my friends  who don't know about the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, it's- in brief -the conflict between Arabs and Israel, as during this era, Israel believed a claim to be the first world power and under the pretext of this, it conquered Sinai in 1967; as we call- literally- the heart of Egypt.
Egypt -the son of revenge- devoted the years to get  rights back and with the leadership of El Sadat, we surprised the enemy and the whole world with the overwhelming victory.
That's it All.

Here is what I said:

   

Renaissance after a setback; this is Anwar El Sadat. Not only did I mean 1967 setback but also Egyptians ' life setback sweeping economics, commerce and industry. Then El-Sadat came with his broad-minded intellect rising Egyptian society as possible as he can.

May be what would come up to my mind is an era of debate and altercation regarding his policy and peace treaty with Israel- especially from Arabs. Such thing usually happens when a man call for an era of blooming.

Despite that we are brought up in a generation later than of El- Sadat's and that the only thing we got to know about that man is Ahmad Zaki's film and our history books, he is still carved in our minds as "the man of peace and war" and every 6^th of October is a special day off for us all, with the songs of victory and documentaries about wars.

According to modern history of Egypt, Nasser had put the bases and Sadat had accomplished the pace.

P.S : this picture of Anwar El Sadat is a stencil drawn by: A73

Once upon a day during my last mid-year vacation -and as always -I was anchored in my pace in front of the book centre in the mall nearby; to find a pink colored book catching my sight and is possibly capable to catch the sight of any Muslim lady with its cover of a girl's face once with the veil and another photo with her blond hair it as if she is torn between religion and the other life, that's how I feel from the first glance on that book.

Soon I did my searches about the book- back then I was at home- and here is what I found –worthy to be shared- :

"Who am I? Jamie or Jamielah?"

She is Jamie Towfeek; a 16-year-old Australian-Muslim-Lebanese teen wondering who she really is as she straddles two cultural realities living in Sydney's western suburbs. Jamielah is overly protected by her father who imposes strict curbs on her social life especially after the death of her mother.

There are a lot of things Jamie hates about her life: her dark hair, her dad's Stone Age Character of Curfew Rights, her real name - Jamilah Towfeek.

Obviously, Jamielah seemed to be ashamed of her true identity and heritage as being in western country. That's why she dyes her hair blonde and wears blue lenses and is determined to be known among her friends as "Jamie"

Her only friend whom she shares her thoughts with is her e-mail friend, John.

"At school I'm Aussie-blonde Jamie -- one of the crowds. At home I'm Muslim Jamilah -- driven mad by my Stone Age dad. I should win an Oscar for my acting skills. But I can't keep it up for much longer..."

Then the true dilemma comes when she had to join her high school when she struggles about revealing her true identity. Who is she? Jaime, the assumed among friends, or jamilah!!

One more problem there; when the cutest boy at school asks her out and her friends start to wonder about her life outside school her secrets then are threatened to explode!!

Another serial of dilemmas passes by her older sister; Shereen who is a hejab wearing girl and is totally absorbed in political causes, human rights and anti war protester. Her father wanted her to settle down.

The author is Randa Abdel Fattah; an Arab novelist and the author of ''Does my head look big in this" Book. "Ten things about me" is her second book and was first published in Australia, 2007.

Oh, well, I'm not here reviewing a book I haven't read or tell a story of me searching for a book.

I personally perceive Arab teen Muslims who live in western countries as a dilemma themselves. Who of them won't be torn between his/her ancestors' customs and how life is there?! And who of them won't choose more freedom and less controlled restricted life when choice is offered and obliging itself? Surely nobody!

And who of them would choose to reveal a true identity that seems in the eyes of westerns as a stone –aged society?!

Randa, in my opinion, -note that I've not read the book- is not only telling a story or a novel for tonight's sleep but is handling a social problem supposed to face any teen in Jamie of Jamielah's condition.

"Ten things I hate about me" is a book I'm looking forward to, in hope to find more that just a story!

الاسكندرية ترنيمة الزمان ومعشوقة التاريخ لا أدرى إن كنت أسكنها أم انها تسكن وتتوسد حناياي )الاسكندر الاكبر)

Alexandria Hymn to time and date lass, I do not know if I live in it or it lives and pillows in my knot (Alexander the Great).
Alexandria, what does it pop up in your mind? Is it your last summer holiday? Photos you have taken by Stanley Bridge last summer? The wonderful breeze and cool Mediterranean? Boats, the grilled fish with sayadeya rice, Bahary and Makram's ice cream? Meeting the Alexandrians; agda3 nas? May be the old Romanian culture and lately the great Bibliotheca...


Alexandria has always been that wonderful place headed by Egyptians and Non-Egyptians as a resort and a place to enjoy holidays and rest. Even we –Alexandrians- never enjoy the city in summer because of the high population density and the crowd plus the terrible traffic jam.
Well, this time, I'd like to focus some light spots on my beloved hometown; Alexandria and lately capital of Arab tourism for the year 2010.

Ramadan's blessing dates

Tonight is Ramadan's night. Mom is preparing our "sohour" right now.



The holy month is commonly known with being special and different; it's known for spirituality, getting closer to family, and having our iftar with them; we all go break our fast and eat at the same time, also it's known for its oriental sweets that we usually eat plenty of. And usually the first thing that touches our saliva is water and dates...


Dates are served and eaten during the breaking of our fast following our prophet. You know that the sweetness of the date takes the edge off hunger?Yes, dates contain a lot of sugar with less fat and easily digested so they raise the energy in your body instantly and prevent you from overeating.