Egyptians follow Coptic (Orthodox) Church and this celebrate Christmas on 7th of January. The preceding Advent season is forty-days long and people abstain from eating meat, poultry or dairy products during this period. However, people only follow this dictum for the last week of Advent. On Christmas Eve, Egyptians attend church dressed in a completely new outfit and the service lasts till midnight. Bells are rung to mark off the end of the service and people disperse after receiving special bread called ‘qurban’ (meaning sacrifice) at the conclusion of the service. This bread has a Holy Cross in the middle and 12 dots to represent the 12 apostles. Then, they eat a special Christmas meal in their homes, which is known as ‘Fata’.

This meal uses bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat as its main constituents. In the morning, people visit their friends and neighbors and exchange ‘kaik’ (a type of shortbread) that is eaten with a drink called ’shortbat’. Christmas is celebrated as a public holiday, especially for the Christians. Since the Holy Family fled to Egypt, the church is decorated with candles and lamps on Christmas to remind us of the times when Joseph lit candles to keep the cold away from Mary during the Nativity. Both Muslims and Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus with equal enthusiasm and Christmas traditions are influenced by regional culture throughout Egypt and thus, have a certain diversity to boast of.

Eid el Fitr is an Islamic feast celebrated after the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is considered a reward for Muslims who struggled through Ramadan and achieved a whole month fasting.
Eid El Fitr is a 3 day feast in which people have an official holiday in Egypt. Muslims start the celebrations by going to the mosques to perform a special prayer call the Feast holiday after sunrise where men women and children listen to a religious speech in which Imam usually reminds Muslims of the virtues and good deeds they should do to friends, relatives, neighbors and even strangers during Eid el Fetr and throughout the year.

After the prayers Egyptians usually visit families and offer sweets made specially for this occasion called the feast sweets or Kahk. Bisuits are also made in multiple flavors either at home or at candy shops which consider this occasion a profitable one because although most people used to bake Kahk themselves, nowadays many Egyptians buy the sweets from shops.

Family visits are considered a must on the first day of the Eid so they have the rest of days to enjoy by going to parks, cinemas, theatres or the beaches. Some like to go on tours or Nile cruise. Sharm El Sheikh is considered a favorite spot for spending holidays is Egypt.

Eid El Fitr is indeed a time for celebration but it is also a time for sharing as there is a special charity in the Eid called the "Sadaka" or the Eid el Fitr Charity which is paid by every Muslim before the end of Ramadan and given to the poor to be able to buy new clothes and kahk during the feast.

In Egypt People like to celebrate with others so apart from the crowded streets you are likely to have fun if you spend your holiday during Eid el Fitrs in Egypt.

The first day of Eid el Fitr is expected to be either Wednesday, 2/11/2005 or Thursday, 3/11/2005.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic Holidays "move" each year. In 2005 Ramadan will begin almost on Oct. 5.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. This year Ramadan precedes Christmas and Hanukkah. But while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).

Why this Month?

During the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today’s Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur’an.

Fasting

Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

Ramadan in Cairo

Before the beginning of the month Muslims usually buy what we call "yamish ramadan," which are different kinds of dried fruits like, raisins, shelled walnuts, dried dates, dried figs, shelled almonds etc. In addition we have special deserts like konafa, shredded wheat and syrup, katayef, sweets stuffed with nuts, cream or cheese, baklawa, baked pastry with nuts, or khoshaf, dried fruit punch. Additionally, we have special Ramadan drinks, like kamr el din, an apricot based drink, hibiscus, kharoub, sa7lab, 3erq souse. Also in Ramadan People buy small lanterns for the children to play with and also big ones to put in their balconies to make beautiful view and to give the spirit of the month of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, what we call Ramadan “tents,” open up where people go to relax in the open air and smoke (shisha) the night away. Also Khan El-Khalili can be considered as one of the best places that you can spend the time between Iftar and Suhoor there where no sleep in the place till the early morning.

If you are coming to Cairo during Ramadan you will have a wonderful new experience and will see a beautiful picture of the city that can’t be seen anytime else.

Citystars is the first and largest integrated project of its kind in the Middle East - Citystars Heliopolis Cairo. Covering 115,000 m2 of an entire city block in Ard El Golf, Heliopolis, Citystars includes: three hotels (more than 1350 rooms and suites), 70,000 m2 office space, Star Living comprising 266 residential apartments, duplexes and penthouses, Star Care medical support, Stars Centre the largest shopping and entertainment center in the Middle East (150,000 m2 gross lettable area) and an International Exhibition Centre of 20,000 m2.

The premier location offers unmatched accessibility with fast and efficient motor way access from the main transport arteries in Cairo, Al Uruba, Salah Salem, El Nasr Road, Suez Road and the 6th of October Bridge. It is a seven minute drive time from Cairo International Airport, 25 minutes from downtown, ten minutes from the Cairo International Conference Centre and 15 minutes from the Ring Road.

With a total built-up area of 750,000 m2, the Citystars project is the 12th largest shopping and entertainment centre in the world and second largest outside of North America.

With its spectacular architecture and futuristic, intelligent design to maximize circulation, Stars Centre is destined to transform Cairo, bringing 150,000 m2 of convenient shopping and entertainment to the 15,000,000 Cairenes, with parking for over 6,000 cars. It will offer an unparalleled choice in retail and entertainment, bring together an unbeatable combination of leading brand names in a single destination.

This integrated development project has international management and the most stringent levels of customer care. The international management, marketing and leasing team has regional and world class experience. The project management team also has regional and worldwide experience and is actively involved in project staff training and development, material, equipment and systems selection and design, supervision and control.

Take a step back in time; about three thousand years back, to be exact. Just a few miles from the center of Cairo is a time machine waiting to take you on a fantastic journey to the days of the Pharaohs, a time brought to life by an incredible group of actors and actresses, faithful and exact reproductions of buildings, clothing, and lifestyles; and of course, the redoubtable Dr. Hassan Ragab and his son Dr. Abdelsalam Ragab. They have worked for over twenty years to create the most precise living recreation of the golden days of Pharaonic Egypt, and now he invites you to join him on this fascinating journey to the past.

At the Pharaonic Village, visitors sail on comfortable motorized barges down a network of canals and view incredibly accurate tableaux of the recreation of ancient Egyptian life. Though the city of Cairo surrounds the island, not a trace of it penetrates the thick wall of trees planted around the island. Sights include recreations of industries, games, arts, and moments from history and legend. Services such as cafeterias, boat rentals, a children’s playground and a restaurant that serves both Egyptian and European dishes help to make your stay even more enjoyable.

Over a hundred actors and actresses perform all the daily activities and arts of the ancient Egyptians, including agriculture, pottery, sculpture, weaving, and much more. Everyone that would have existed in an ancient Egyptian city is here in the modern recreation, from pharaohs to fishermen, from potters to priests. Because of this attention to detail, the Pharaonic Village is more than education and entertainment, it is a vital resource in the preservation of our knowledge of the ancient world.

The Pharaonic Village is a must-see for any visitor to Egypt, whether scholar of Egyptian history and culture, or casual tourist. It is an excellent complement to a trip before going to Aswan and Luxor, but just as awe-inspiring and enjoyable in and of itself. Come with us on a journey through time to the rich and exciting age of the pharaohs.

The 2006 African Cup of Nations will be held in Egypt. The decision was made by the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in Cairo. A four-time winner of the Nations Cup, Egypt hosted the tournament in 1959, 1974 and 1986.

The African Nations Cup started officially on the 10th of February 1957, in the national stadium of Khartoum. But its idea comes back to the 8th of June 1956 when AbdelAziz Abdullah Salem and Mohamed Latif from Egypt, Abdel Halim Shaddaad, Badawy Mohamed and Abdelhalim Mohamed from Sudan, and Fred Will from South Africa has met in Avenida hotel in Portugal, to discuss the idea of construction of an African Union and launching a competition between the different countries of the continent.
In the first African Nations Cup in 1957, there were only three participating nations: Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Since then the field has grown to include almost every African nation, thus making it necessary to hold a qualifying tournament. The number of participants in the final tournament were 16 in 2004.

Total Wins

· Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana - 4 wins
· Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo (1 as Zaire) - 2 wins
· Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Morocco, Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia - 1 win

Tickets :
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2006 African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt has released the ticket prices for next year’s showpiece event. (BBC Sport)
Fans can buy individual tickets for matches or ‘Collective Tickets’, which will allow them to attend all the games at a specific stadium.
A first-class ticket for nine matches, including the opening game and final, at the Cairo Stadium will cost US$156, a second-class ticket US$35 while those paying for a third-class ticket must hand over US$16.
By contrast, the other three stadiums hosting games will have just one fixed price for those wishing to buy collective tickets.
At Cairo’s Military Academy stadium, which will stage eight matches, and Alexandria’s Harras Al-Hedoud stadium, a venue for seven games, this will be US$9, one dollar more the price of watching six games at the Port Said stadium.
The cheapest individual tickets for matches, providing the game does not involve Egypt, will cost US$1.75.
Yet any fan wishing to watch the hosts must pay a minimum of US$2.50.
Football fans in Egypt will be able to secure tickets on a first-served basis by asking for tickets at any of the post offices located around the country from 15 August.
The post office will then either send the tickets straight to the buyer’s address or hand the applicant a receipt so that he can pick up his tickets from the bureau.
Fans outside Egypt will be able to purchase tickets through the internet.
"Online tickets will go on sale following the Nations Cup draw on 20 October," Khaled Abdel-Aziz, the LOC director, told BBC Sport.
"Africans need to know which group they’ll be playing in before buying their tickets."
Fans can buy match tickets on the day of a game but must request collective tickets before 15 December.
For more information please visit :

http://www.egypt2006.com

Royal Opera House :

It is hardly possible to speak of the favors bestowed on Egypt by King Khedive Ismaeil, known as "the great", without recalling the Royal Opera House. This opera house was indeed one of the great memorials to the spirit of modernization that moved him, and to his aim of bringing to his country an atmosphere of modernity and modern civilization covering all aspects of science, education and culture.
In 1869, Khedive Ismaeil gave an order to build an opera house in order to be ready on the date of the inauguration of Suez Canal. It was formally known as the Khedivial (Royal) Opera House. Two architects, Avoscani and Rosi, put the design of the Royal Opera House. It was erected, mainly of wood, within a short period of six months; it had the capacity of 850 persons.
The story of the famous Opera "Aida" was chosen from the ancient Egyptians history, to be acted as the first opera of which Verdi was the musical composer. The Khedive Ismaeil took the excellent opportunity of the inauguration to invite to Egypt the kings and queens of Europe. However, performing the opera was postponed to the 24th of December due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, and Rigoletto for the same composer was presented at the opening ceremony of the Royal Opera House instead. However, at its world premiere in Cairo on December 24th, 1871, AIDA was a sensational success. It received a triumphant reception and since then it has been a favorite here in Cairo, as it is throughout the world to this day.

In the early morning of 1971, the great Royal Opera House was burned down, due to an electrical upset. Being made almost entirely from wood, it turned into ashes within a few hours.
Nothing was left except two statues made by the Egyptian artist Mohammed Hassan (1892-1961).

Cairo Opera House :

During the visit of the Egyptian President Hosni Moubarak to Japan in April 1983, the Japanese government decided to give Egypt a donation for building the Cairo Opera House. In May 1985, the building process was on the go and was accomplished in approximately 3 years. After 17 years from the date of the burning of the original Royal Opera House, the new Cairo Opera House was launched on October 10th 1988.

On the event of opening the New Cairo Opera House, a joint Egyptian-Japanese program was premeditated for the first ten days. Egypt organized song recitals, musical and dancing performances, while Japan presented its famous "Kabuki" theatre, as well as other theatrical and dancing groups. These were followed by a number of performances OF foreign groups. Many foreign countries had in fact, participated either with ballet performances, musical or theatrical shows.
** For more information about Cairo Opera House and its daily programs Please visit :

http://www.operahouse.gov.eg/operahouse/default.htm

Here are some comments said by some tourists about their situation towards Egypt after what happened in Sharm:

1 - Unfortunately it seems that terrorism is a global issue. Staying at home doesn’t mean you’re safe… lot’s of things can happen when you stay home or visit another destination. (Ronny – Holland) 

2 - We can’t let these acts of terrorism interrupt our lives; I always wanted to travel to Egypt and now I have the chance. (Scot – USA). 

3 - Life is a risk…you either grab it or run from it. I’d just go to Egypt. (Mel – London).

4- I’m still on my plans on going to Cairo/Egypt this Wed. despite the current situation. what’s going to happen, will happen whether I’m home or traveling. (Marimar – Jeddah).

 5- I’m not going to let the terrorists put me off my holiday. I will go. (David – UK).

6 - Egypt is a safe country with loving people. (Jannah – USA).

7 - I wouldn’t let this stop me from going. We will have a wonderful trip. Your risk of anything happening to you is no higher than being at home… Egypt is a wonderful country — great sites, wonderfully friendly people. (Ron – USA).

How painful it’s to see innocent people die in front of you without any crime committed. How sad to play with the spirits of people for personal ambition. Last day was a black day in Egypt to all those who love peace, life and tolerance.
The bombs in Sharm El-Sheikh which were like a shock to the entire world to happen in the city of peace by the bloody-handed terrorists who have no religion, no country, no morals and no mercy. A lot of Egyptian, Arabian and European tourists died in this dirty thing, all of them have red blood, and all mingle together to witness the real ugly face of terrorism. And to give us all the power and strength to co-operate together to face this thread which attacks everyone of us wherever we are.

Although the explosion took place in Sharm, but 6 hours away from Sharm, and specifically in Cairo all people were sad to hear this bad news. All the Cairo People are friendly and peaceful who like tourists and always offer them a hand of help when they meet with them. A lot of families in Cairo lost their sons who were killed in the explosion. It was a horrific scene, you feel sympathetic with those innocent people who lost their lives and suddenly find out that you also lost your son or brother in the same place. Most people in Cairo stayed at their houses; sadness was the dominant feeling of all people. We don’t believe ourselves till now it’s a nightmare.

But on behalf of all the Cairo people and even those in Sharm and in every spot in Egypt, we will do our best to let all the world know that Egypt is the country of peace and safety especially this kind of accidents happens everywhere in the world. You also as a tourist has a role in this, come to Egypt as you always like as this will be like a stab in the back of terrorism and in this way we share in facing this thread which attacks all of us till we eliminate it from the world and prove at the end that peace will spread in the world and that it’s peace which has the power not the evil behaviours.

Heliopolis, Nasr City and beyond

The area east of the city center started being developed at the end of the 19th century. This district has numerous Western-style shops and restaurants. The elegant arcaded buildings in the area around Midan Roxy are architecturally appealing. Interesting sites in this area include the October War Panorama and Sadat’s Tomb, erected on the site where the late President was assassinated in 1981.

Northwest of Heliopolis, and easily reached by Cairo’s Metro line, is Matariyya. This contains the site of ancient Heliopolis, the City of the Sun - the earliest settlement in the Cairo area. The granite Obelisk of Senusert I (dating from around 1900 BC) stands at Midan al-Misallah, and 500 metres south stands the Virgin’s Tree, which supposedly shaded the Holy Family during their time in Egypt.

Maadi

To the south of Cairo, the suburb of Maadi is a popular residential area for foreigners, the tree-lined streets camouflaging private villas in the older sections of the district are wonderful. Felucca rides on the Nile departing from the docks along the Corniche in Maadi are a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.