Egyptian Archives

Egyptian women take on men in technology

April 5, 2018 By administrator

Samira Negm, the CEO of Raye7, talks to attendees of the Egyptian Women in Technology conference, Cairo, Egypt, March 10, 2018.

Fatma Lotfi

CAIRO — Amid difficult economic circumstances and a job market where the participation of male workers is considerably higher than their female counterparts, Egyptian women are taking new steps in the technology sector, an area dominated by men.

Motoon, which helps develop networks in the technology sector, partnered with the Google Developer Group (GDC) in Cairo to organize a conference titled “Egyptian Women in Technology,” which took place March 10. The conference at the Goethe Institute featured successful women and shed light on the main challenges and obstacles facing them.

Motoon’s Noon Tech program supports women working in the technology field by organizing regular training sessions and workshops.

“There aren’t many women in this field. Is it because we do not want to support them or we do not believe in their capacities? Are there real problems impeding their professional career paths? We are trying to understand this by organizing events that give them a chance to participate, show their practical and scientific experience, and reveal the difficulties they are facing,” Sara al-Sherif, a project manager at Motoon, told Al-Monitor.

She said that women in Egypt need a supportive environment and network, so one of the first steps is to introduce newcomers to the success cases and the latest techniques in the field, as well as connecting them to companies and associations to launch their own projects.

Samira Negm, 30, a participant in the conference, is the CEO of the company that created Raye7, a culturally sensitive carpool app. She told Al-Monitor, “I thought about using technology to serve society by creating the app Raye7 to solve the traffic crisis. The app aims at encouraging carpooling and helping people benefit from their resources efficiently to enjoy safe and affordable transportation.”

#Egyptian, #Saudi businessmen gear up for #Iraq, Syria, Libya reconstruction “No Turks Please”

February 4, 2018 By administrator

Iraqi Minister of Planning Salman al-Jumaili said Iraq’s reconstruction will cost at least $100 billion

Cairo (Iraqinews.com) – A group of Egyptian and Saudi investors are gearing up to play a more active role in reconstructing Iraq, Libya, and Syria in the coming period by pumping huge investments into the two countries, according to Russia Today TV channel on Sunday.

The initiative came in cooperation between the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC), the Council of Saudi Chambers and the Egyptian-Saudi Business Council.

FEDCOC Chairman Ahmed el Wakil said Cairo and Riyadh have reached a deal to keep on promoting economic cooperation between the two countries and making use of their economic potentials to reconstruct Iraq, Libya and Syria.

“Later this year, two expanded meetings will be held in Libya and Syria to discuss means of supporting their economies,” Wakil said, adding that the gatherings will be attended by businessmen from several Arab countries.

Earlier in January, Iraqi Minister of Planning Salman al-Jumaili, in an interview with Al-Monitor from his office in Baghdad, said that his country will require a massive amount of funds to rebuild the areas liberated from Islamic State (IS) control.

While he noted that it was too early to reach a precise estimate, he estimated the amount would be around $100 billion, adding that this figure “includes all the areas that were damaged during the presence of IS, either by direct occupation or due to terrorist acts.”

Also, Kuwait is scheduled to host an international conference later this month for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Works by Egyptian Armenian cartoonist to go on display in Cairo

December 28, 2017 By administrator

Works by the late Egyptian Armenian cartoonist Alexander Saroukhan will go on display in Cairo on January 10. The exhibition titled “Echoes of Past Visions” will run through February 19, 2018, Egypt Today reported.

This is the second edition in a series of exhibitions on Saroukhan’s legacy. The previous was called “Political Comedy”, which showcased dozens of examples of the artist’s work done between 1930 and 1970.

“Echoes of Past Visions” will collect 35 original drawings of the artist that primarily relate to Egypt’s internal and foreign policies, along with comments on world events from nearly 50 years ago that are still relevant today, such as the Jerusalem conflict.

Born on October 1, 1898 in an Armenian town under the Russian Empire, Saroukhan is considered to be one of Egypt’s first cartoonists, helping to pioneer the art form as a type of important political commentary within the region. He moved with his family to Turkey’s capital of Istanbul in 1909, Saroukhan created a small newspaper with his brother – his first foray into his future career.

Upon going to study at the College of the Mekhitarists with his brother, the Armenian Genocide in 1915 forced them to stay after graduating. After his parents died, the only thing left was his art. Saroukhan focused on drawing until the end of the war, where he worked as a translator for the British Army until 1921.

Saroukhan passed away on January 1, 1977. His artwork is currently shown at the Tate Modern Museum in Liverpool.

Journalists from Egypt visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complex

June 25, 2017 By administrator

egyptian journalist visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Five Egyptian journalists who visited Armenia on the first regular flight of “Air Cairo” Airlines, visited number of Armenia’s sightseeing, Garni, Geghard, Lake Sevan, Tsakhkadzor, Echmiadzin, and Matenadaran Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts named after Mesrop Mashtots.
The Egyptian journalists also visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complex to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Hakob Berberyan, who accompanied the foreigners, told Panorama.am the journalist themselves wished to visit the Memorial complex.

“They knew well the story of the Armenian Genocide,” Berberyan added.

Egyptian President el-Sissi pardons 82 detainees

November 17, 2016 By administrator

el-sissi-pardons-82 Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has pardoned 82 detainees, including a TV host. The majority of those released from prison reportedly were university students.

The pardons came on Thursday after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi had set up a committee last month to assess details of cases of young offenders who not been involved in violent crime but who were arrested as part of an ongoing government crackdown on dissidents.

Members of the committee said, however, that active members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood would not be pardoned. The Egyptian military under Sissi as the then-chief general of the armed forces had overthrown former President Mohammed Morsi in 2013, who was leader of the Brotherhood. The military coup and Sissi’s subsequent election as president the following year resulted in a purge of his supporters that saw hundreds of protesters killed and thousands jailed.

The crackdown later extended to liberal and left-wing activists who turned against Sissi’s government after Morsi’s ouster following mounting reports human rights abuses. The Egyptian government has not publicized the number of detainees held since the onset of the crackdown, but estimates vary between 20,000 and 40,000.

Pardons part of a wider effort

A television presenter known for advocating in favor of Islamic reform was also among those pardoned. Sissi had sentenced Islam Behery to one year in prison for “defaming religious symbols.” His incarceration has been used by government critics as evidence of diminishing freedom of expression in the country.

Nashwa el-Hofy, a member of a panel that recommended the choice of prisoners for this round of pardons, said, however, that the aim was “university youths.” According to the Egypt’s MENA news agency, the pardons were the first phase of a wider effort, implying there could be further pardons in the future. Sissi had already pardoned 100 people in September 2015, including two journalists and several prominent dissidents, in an effort to change perceptions on his leadership. While Sissi does not have authority to interfere in Egypt’s judiciary he can issue pardons.

He also pledged that the government would consider revising a law banning demonstrations not sanctioned by the police. Critics have condemned it as unconstitutional. Sissi had earlier ruled out changing his mind about the law.

ss/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)

EGYPT: A resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide submitted to the Egyptian Parliament supported by 337 MPs

July 28, 2016 By administrator

Egypt genocide A resolution submitted by independent MP Mostafa Bakri calls on Parliament and the government to recognize the genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman state in 1915 reported the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram.

Egyptian MP Mostafa Bakri said he and 336 MPs have asked Parliament to approve the draft resolution in favor of the recognition of the destruction of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.

“Parliament must hold a special session on this topic because it was a mass extermination of crime that must be condemned by all parliaments of the world,” said Mostafa Bakri.

“New historical evidence has exposed the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1922,” said Mostafa Bakri, adding that his proposal “comes after the German parliament voted last month in favor of the recognition of the massacre as genocide in 1915, and many other countries should follow. “

Mostafa Bakri concluded that “while the Ottomans committed the massacre of 1915, the Erdogan regime is now moving to commit another crime against his political opponents and minorities seeking independence.”

The proposal comes after another Egyptian MP Emad Mahrous, has demanded Sunday that the Egyptian government grant political asylum to the figure of Fethullah Gulen Turkish opposition.

Emad Mahrous accused Erdogan to exploit the failed coup against him this month to detain hundreds of political opponents and turn Turkey into a dictatorship of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Talaat Khalil, a member who supported the draft resolution Mostafa Bakri, told reporters that the genocide must be condemned by all governments and world parliaments.

“In addition, authors should admit their crimes and even apologize for them,” said Talaat Khalil.

“But it is clear that the arrogant regime of Erdogan will never admit that the massacre [occurred] because he believes a new Ottoman sultan,” said Talaat Khalil.

Talaat Khalil added that Egypt had close relations with both the Armenian people and the Turkish people.

“Egypt has always been a refuge for Armenians since the massacre of 1915,” said Talaat Khalil, arguing that “outside its political responsibility, the parliament of Egypt must recognize the [genocide] against Armenians . “

Khalil concluded by saying that “this should not be considered as a hostile act by the Egyptian parliament against Turkey, but must be seen as a movement that comes from purely humanistic considerations.”

Egyptian film producer: Armenian Genocide applies to all nations

May 27, 2016 By administrator

Myriam Zaki from Egypt, who is producer of the documentary film “Who Killed the Armenians?”

YEREVAN. – Armenian Genocide is among the key parts of history, and it applies to not only Armenians, but all nations.

Myriam Zaki from Egypt, who is producer of the documentary film “Who Killed the Armenians?” about Armenian Genocide, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Zaki is in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan these days, and as reported earlier, she was among the recipients of the President of Armenia 2015 awards, on Thursday. She received the President’s award in recognition of her considerable contribution to the recognition of Armenian Genocide.

“It was very important to explain to Arab audiences what Armenian Genocide is,” said Myriam Zaki. “Today, I can confidently say that all Egyptians know about the Armenian Genocide, and today, there is another friendship between the two nations.

“When you look at the players in 1915, [you can see that] they still exist today—in 2015, in 2016—; we still see them. They use the same terminologies, the same tactics. It’s time to wake up!”

“Who Killed the Armenians?” is the first Arabic-language documentary on Armenian Genocide.

Egyptian, Syrian Passport Found Near Body of One of #Paris Suicide Bombers

November 14, 2015 By administrator

A Syrian and an Egyptian passports have been found at the site of the suicide bombing at the Stade de France stadium in Paris.

The documents are currently being checked by the authorities. It has also been reported that a set of fingerprints belonging to a French citizen, linked to militant Islamists, who had allegedly taken part in the terrorist attack were found at the scene.

Two of seven terrorists responsible for Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris have been identified, police said. One of them was found to be a Syrian, another one a French national.

Earlier, a Syrian passport was found on the body of one of the Paris suicide bombers, police said Saturday.

The series of attacks which claimed the lives of at least 127 on Friday became the worst terrorist incident in French history. Following the attacks, 300 people were hospitalized, 80 of which are in a critical condition.

On Saturday, French President Francois Hollande declared a three-day mourning

The woman was reportedly among those who attacked the Bataclan theatre.

The terrorists who attacked the Bataclan theater in Paris on Friday included a woman, Radio Europe 1 reports citing an eyewitness.

Egyptian composer Samir Aiad has dedicated a song to the Armenian Genocide centennial. (Video)

May 11, 2015 By administrator

Samir Aiad is the author of both the music and lyrics.
The composer left the following note on his Facebook page:

“Many are aware of the tragedy that befell this great nation – the Armenians.
I have heard these stories from my teacher of violin, who worked in my school.
She was Armenian, one of those Armenians, who reached Egypt with her mother through the Syrian deserts.
Peace to the souls of all victims and shame on the people that perpetrated this crime.”