"Narrative Summit" Releases 2025 Recommendations to Cement Egypt's Position as a Global Tourism Destination    Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Street talk: This day in History
Published in Daily News Egypt on 23 - 01 - 2008

I rubbed my eyes repeatedly at midnight on the eve of the 28th of Ramadan. I desperately wanted to keep my eyes open to watch the Laylat Al Qadr sermon (the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohamed).
It's known that Prophet Mohamed [PBUH] used to intensify his prayers and supplication during the last ten days of Ramadan, so I decided to follow suit.
Laylat Al Qadr has special signs, as indicated by Prophet Mohamed. One of these signs is that the sun would have no rays as they will be blocked by the angels who return to the heavens after the break of dawn. Another indication is that the night of Laylat Al Qadr is neither hot nor cold ("Peaceful is that night until the break of dawn Quran:97:5).
The preacher began praying to Allah that the Americans leave Iraq and the Israelis leave Palestine.
That night I slept like a baby, hoping that Allah would listen to this Sheikh's prayers on this blessed night, which, as He describes it in the Quran, is "better than a thousand months.
I woke up the next morning feeling cheerful, and contrary to my normal habits, logged on to the Internet straight away. I came across a piece of news titled "This day in History about Ramadan 28th, of the Islamic year 92.
On that year Tariq Bin Ziad led a decisive battle after which the Muslims entered Andalusia. This was the Battle of Barbat, which was chronicled in great detail by pioneering Muslim sociologist Ibn Khaldoun.
I headed off to work so elated I felt I was hovering above the ground, but soon enough I fell upon news of a partnership agreement between Egypt and NATO in Brussels which could in the future allow NATO troops to police the Philadelphi Corridor between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, not to mention pave the way to closer military cooperation between us and our beloved Zionist neighbors.
The signing of the agreement was followed with a vacuous statement by the official Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossam Zaki.
"The news that was just announced is a total shame, he said. (I naively thought he was referring to the actual agreement.) "It reflects a complete lack of understanding of the nature of Egypt's relationship with NATO. He then went on about how this unilateral agreement with NATO would open the doors for stronger humanitarian efforts, providing hospitals in conflict zones or participating in UN-sponsored peacekeeping missions.
But, he stressed, there has been absolutely no intention to deploy NATO troops on the Egypt-Gaza border. (I think he meant Palestine.)I hoped that Ramadan 28th would last a little longer. We really desperately needed those Laylat Al Qadr prayers.
At around 2:15 pm I came across a more significant piece of news: An Israeli military affairs correspondent for Haaretz reported that the next few months will see stronger ties between Israel and NATO and that an Israeli navy intelligence officer will probably be heading the NATO contingent in the south.
I couldn't have iftar that day, but then I decided to force myself to cheer up. I would meet my friend in Garden City then catch up with my wife at the club later on.
I tried in vain to flag down a taxi to Garden City. I asked one driver why they all refused to go there.
"They say His Highness is at the Opera House, the driver replied.
I finally succeeded at the twentieth attempt when I happened upon one driver who was luckily ignorant of the geo-political situation.
We headed towards Galaa Bridge but found it was blocked off by a group of high-ranking officers scowling down on the desperate motorists. So we tried another route but again were met with the same blockade. Minutes later my friend called me and it turned out that he too was stuck in traffic so we had to cancel.
But the traffic didn't budge an inch. When I lost hope completely I left the taxi and decided to walk home. I called my wife, and learning that she too had been stuck in traffic for hours, I told her to park her car and walk home.
She was on the verge of tears as she recalled the endless harassment she was subjected to by every Tom, Dick and Harry on the street. The last "culprit was a 20-year-old on a bicycle who first made discreet comments then suddenly touched her breast then rushed off.
It was midnight when she finished her story, now completely in tears. All I could do was thank god for all His blessings.
Khaled El Khamissiis a political scientist and prolific social commentator who holds a PhD from the Sorbonne University.


Clic here to read the story from its source.