In December 2018, Aladdin actor, Mena Massoud posted a seemingly harmless video on his Instagram page, “Evolving Vegan”. In this video, Mena details all the foods he grew up eating (and now can’t eat as a vegan), “shawerma, shish tawook, labneh”. He then introduces the restaurant he’ll be eating at- an “Israeli inspired plant-based restaurant serving up all the Mediterranean classics”. Recently, Egyptian and Arab twitter caught on to this video, calling him out for reinforcing the idea that Palestinian and Levantine food is Israeli. Massoud replied to this tweet with a response that many were unpleased with (rightfully so): Hey dude. Grew up in Toronto going to Isreali restaurants that served Middle Eastern food. Don’t really understand the politics of it, I was honestly shocked to see the response. Not getting paid for EV. Actually pouring my own money into it. All love man — Mena Massoud (@MenaMassoud) May 26, 2019 The actor’s response seemed like a cop-out to most; how could he not know the politics behind it? Any Egyptian, even one of the diaspora, knows of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Using “growing up in Toronto” also does not…
The Revival of Egyptian Musicals: ‘Carmen’ by Reem Hegab to Play in June
Cairo Opera House’s Al Hanager Theater is set to host the new musical performance ‘Carmen’ directed by Reem Hegab from the 7th until the 23rd of June. Daughter of the legendary writer Sayed Hegab, who is known for generating Ramadan’s ‘Fawazeer’ (Riddles) that featured popular actress Sherihan, Hegab is planning to retell the iconic story of ‘Carmen’ with an Egyptian twist for the first time, with additional original songs written for the performance. Carmen is originally an opera by French composer Georges Bizet in the 19th century, based on a novella by Prosper Mérimée, which has become one of history’s most iconic opera characters. It tells the story of a wild and fascinating Spanish gypsy girl who is working in a factory that seduces and corrupts an officer, before the short romance becomes entangled with passion, murder and jealousy. “People should not miss out on Carmen as it is a timeless tale that speaks about freedom, sacrifice, bravery, choice and sensuality,” Eman Thabet, content creater and actress tells Egyptian Streets. “The choreography, movement and dance numbers were all created passionately by Reem Hegab, in addition to original songs written specifically for the musical,…
Cairo to Renovate All Its Informal Housing Units to Become ‘Slum-Free’ by the End of the Year
Khaled Abdel-Aal, Cairo’s Governor, announced plans to refurbish all of Cairo’s slums and informal housing units by the end of the year. The development project has been allocated EGP 10 billion to renovate around 40,000 housing units, the governor announced. The units are going to be organized urban developments to relocate those living in the illegal unconstructed settlements. Accordingly, this project also aims to provide job opportunities for the relocated residents. Abdel-Aal stressed that the aim of the project is to provide “safe and adequate housing” for the residents of Cairo. This project is inline with the government’s plan to face-lift the capital, Cairo. Earlier this year, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi released a order for all redbrick buildings in the country to be furbished and painted according to a color scheme in an attempt to turn Egypt more visually appealing. While there have been modern urban planing developments not just in the capital Cairo, but across Egypt, the country’s red brick buildings became a staple urban structure that the country has become known for. Most of these buildings are informal settlements and at least 63 percent of Cairo’s population, around 11…
Google Doodle Pays Homage to Khufu Ship Discovery
Marking exactly 65 years since its discovery, Google Doodle is celebrating the unearthing of Khufu ship, found inside the funeral temple of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh from the Old kingdom. “On this day [26 May] in 1954, one of the oldest and largest boats on earth was found buried near Egypt’s biggest pyramid. Today’s Doodle celebrates the discovery of the Khufu Ship, which has survived more than 4,600 years, although its true purpose remains a mystery,” describes Google in the description of the doodle. The 4,600 year-old ship was was originally found in 1954 on the southern side of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The wooden vessel is of great quality, marked by stellar craftsmanship and design although scholars are still debating its exact use and the reasoning behind its placing inside the pyramid. Known as a ‘solar boat’, the ship most likely had a religious function – it was strategically placed inside Khufu’s burial chamber to allow him, as a deceased king, to sail across the heavens with Ra, the sun god according to ancient Egyptian mythology. It is alternatively believed that the boat could have been used to…
Egypt’s Council for Women Launches First Forum for Female Directors in August
Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, will launch the first forum for female directors in Egypt by next August to empower their creative abilities. In a statement, Dr. Maya Morsi, President of the Council, said on Saturday that the forum aims to develop their talents and creativity, and to ensure greater roles for women in the film industry. Morsi added that she is grateful for the efforts and role of the Minister of Culture, Enas Abdel Dayem, in launching the forum and supporting the Egyptian women in their communities, noting that Abdel Dayem is a role model for other women to follow. Morsi also stated that the Egyptian woman is currently living in a ‘golden age’ as the new government is working actively to advance her position in society and is aware of her importance. Minister of Culture Enas Abdel Dayem announced the launch of the first forum for female directors during the opening of the second forum for young directors under the theme “theater for the public”, in which the minister asked the General Authority for Culture Palaces to set up workshops…
Review: Where Epics Fail – Meditations to Live By
At times when the weight of our spirit becomes heavy, there comes the need for some kind of power or force to bring a little delicacy and lightness to it. Some may look to music, dance, prayer or any other activity that transcends the physical world, but one can also look to ‘Where Epics Fail’ by Yahia Lababidi, which I like to describe it as a ‘ray of light’ in our current time. For centuries, light has been the most powerful symbol of spirituality or the divine. In most religions, it is strongly connected to our ability to see or becoming spiritually awakened. It does not necessarily mean that the sun’s light is the divine, or that it will help you reach it, but it is certainly a metaphor for vision, power and illumination. Previously featured on The Guardian and Al Jazeera for his work, Yahia Lababidi, an Egyptian-American poet and aphorist, captures that light perfectly in his latest book. Just like a ray of light, it cleanses your spirit, awakens your mind, and guides you. The short yet powerful aphorisms leave you to both question, discover, meditate and love all at…
Three Egyptian Films Gaining Attention at International Film Festivals 2019
Three Egyptian film productions have been selected for screening at prominent annual international film festivals this year. The first two were shown during the past month, the third is to follow at the beginning of the next. Sharine Atif’s Jebel Banat (2018), Nada Riyadh’s Fakh (The Trap) (2019) and Anas Tolba’s Between Two Seas (2018) have all received much critical attention and will hopefully soon come to Egypt’s own cinemas, following their successful exposure to audiences abroad. The fact that critics selected them to feature at these prominent events, renders a quick glimpse at their content, their directors and the three prestigious festivals worthwhile, considering that the films are all testament to Egypt’s artistic talent, offering unique stories and perspectives on a range of social issues. Jebel Banat at the 18th Tribeca Film Festival 2019 Set in Saint Catherine, Sinai, the 15-minute short, Jebel Banat (or Girl’s Mountain) depicts how two Bedouin sisters escape a forced marriage in pursuit of freedom by fleeing into the desert and hiding on a mountain. The drama vividly explores the themes of sisterhood, inseparable ties and the challenges of traditions. Commenting on her choice…
Urban Earthlings: Environmentally Friendly Approach to Everyday Products
After becoming vegan and learning about the harmful effects disposable products have on our environment, young Egyptian architect Amira Osman decided to take action by producing reusable products to help save the environment. ‘Urban Earthlings’ began as a blog about veganism in 2015. “When I went vegan, my health changed rapidly, my personality changed a lot and my eyes were opened to issues I was unaware of. I started asking questions and researching more and when you do that you learn a lot about different issues, because there are several things we are used to in our culture that we take for granted,” the founder of ‘Urban Earthlings’ begins. Initially, Osman’s main concern was about animal farming. The more she learned about animal farming and the environmental issues facing our planet, the more she became invested in becoming an environmentally cautious person. Slowly but surely, she started changing several things in her lifestyle such as buying bamboo toothbrushes and using reusable bags. “I was buying these products from abroad. At some point a few years ago, I was fed up from complaining about certain products not being available in Egypt…
All Hail The Rise of The Young Female Athlete
The era of male-dominated sports is coming to an end as young women in Egypt and the Middle East successfully break down barriers and prove that sports such as American football, rugby, soccer and weightlifting should no longer be reserved for men. The misconception that men have greater physical abilities is easily shut down by the rise of powerful and persistent female athletes such as 25-year-old Soccer Player Farida Salem. “I definitely think we [women] are more open and more exposed to different kinds of sports and we are willing to go against the grain when it comes to stereotypes,” said Salem. Salem first played in Gezira Sporting Club at the age of 12, then went to Wadi Degla at the age of 14. She won the first National University Championship at the age of 18 when she entered AUC, where she was also named the most valuable player (MVP). She played in the premier league and was in the National team training camp. Salem chose to balance her studies with her athletics, which is no small feat. She earned a soccer scholarship to Vancouver Island University, where she continued…