Russian community living in Red Sea resort of Hurghada organized Friday evening, a memorial service ceremony for victims of Russian passenger plane that crashed in Sinai, Al Bawaba News reported Saturday. Some Egyptians, who are friends of the Russian community, have participated in the ceremony. Russian nationals have said their prayers and placed flowers as well as lightened candles to mourn the lives of the victims, during the ceremony. Tourism expert in Hurghada, Ashraf Sherkis called upon the governor of the Red Sea to invite the Russian ambassador and reach an agreement with the churches of the city to work collectively in order to organize a mass requiem. Sherkis also suggested to ring the bells of all the city's churches at the same time and to hold a popular march in the city to show compassion and sympathy for the victims. Additionally, he proposed that Russian guests who are staying in the city's hotels, in collaboration with the chamber of tourism companies to transfer a message of solidarity with the Russian people in their sorrows. He pointed out that such events would most likely be welcomed by the Russian nationals, especially that Russian tourism represents more than 70% of the total tourism in Egypt. He also stressed that there is a large Russian community of up to 10 thousand Russian residents in Hurghada, who probably would appreciate these events.
