A touch of mercy Khaled El-Fiqi was ready with his camera to capture the warm and fraternal ambiance of Ramadan in this photo of mawaaid al-rahman (Ramadan Iftar banquets), a tradition that reinforces the spirit of solidarity among Muslims. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative of Sudan at the Arab League Abdel-Rahman Ser Al-Khetm hosted a spectacular Ramadan night for the Sudanese National Conference in Cairo at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The event aimed at strengthening the Egyptian-Sudanese relations. Among the attendees were head of the Sudanese National Conference in Cairo Walid El-Sayed, Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Hassan Ali, former minister of transportation Essam Sharaf, member of the Policies Committee at the National Democratic Party Maged El-Sherbini as well as gifted actress Ghada Ibrahim, actor Magdi Fekri and former footballer Magdi Abdel-Ghani. Director of the Catholic Centre for Cinema Father Boutros Daniel held a prestigious Ramadan Iftar for media figures and celebrities. Overlooking the Nile, a plethora of TV and cinema stars were among the attendees, including veteran actors Omar El-Hariri and Salah El-Saadani, lovely actress Lebleba, actress-cum-singer Boushra, actresses Maali Zayed, Nihal Anbar, Mirna Walid, Dina Abdallah, Wafaa Salem and Ghada Ibrahim, scriptwriter Feisal Nada, head of the Plastic Arts Syndicate and caricaturist Mustafa Hussein, filmmaker Kamla Abu Zekri and media figure Salma El-Shamaa. Founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German University in Cairo (GUC) Ashraf Mansour hosted a lavish Ramadan Sohour (late Ramadan meal) at the Fairmont Hotel. The gathering was crowned by the presence of Minister of Waqf (Religious Endowments) Mohamed Hamdi Zaqzouq, North Sinai Governor Murad Muwafi, chemist Abdel-Hadi Kandil, GUC President Mahmoud Hashim, Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Hèseyin Avni Botsali, Nisf Al-Donia magazine Editor-in-Chief Afkar El-Kharadli as well as media figures Osama Heikal, Fatma Fouad and Alaa Thabet. photos: Ayman Barayez The Rotary Cairo Royal Club presided over by Hanaa El-Hilali hosted an exhilarating Ramadan Iftar at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel. The gathering was crowned by the presence of Pope Shenouda III, Al-Ahram back page editor Mona Ragab as well as a galaxy of society ladies, such as Laila Takla, Samia Abul-Fotouh, Laila Shoukri, Mano Shousha, Zizi El-Bedewi and retired veteran actress Magda El-Sabahi. Economy expert Mustafa Abul-Hassan gathered a coterie of ministers, ambassadors and high-profile personalities in a magnificent Ramadan Sohour held at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel. Omani Ambassador to Egypt Sheikh Ali Bin Khalifa Al-Harithi and his Turkish counterpart Hèseyin Avni Botsali, former Minister of Irrigation Mahmoud Abu Zeid, former Minister of Transport Essam Sharaf, former Minister of Trade and Supply Ahmed El-Geweili and businessman Mansour El-Gammal were all present and enjoyed the delightful ambiance of the gathering. photos: Bassam El-Zoghby In the heart of Islamic Cairo and amid a reverent ambiance of Sufi and spiritual music, the opening of Samaa 3rd International Festival for Sufi Music and Singing took place at Al-Ghouri Dome. The festival features 11 countries: Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, India, Bosnia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Spain. Lasting 10 days, it is organised in collaboration with the Cultural Development Fund, headed by Mohamed Abu Seada, the Foreign Cultural Relations Sector presided over by Hossam Nassar, along with the embassies of participating foreign countries in Egypt. According to president of the festival and director of Al-Ghouri Creativity Centre Intesar Abdel-Fattah, "This year's round is entitled, ' Al-Samaa Wa Hewar Thaqafat Al-Shoub ' [Listening and Nations' Cultural Dialogue] and aims at reviving ancient music heritage and protecting it from sinking into oblivion." A galaxy of Egyptian intellectuals and literati attended the opening ceremony, along with multi-national foreigners.
