Manal and Alaa's bit bucket

A personal idol of mine and a great tennisman played his last match yesterday. Andre Agassi, you will be missed. This son of Armenian immigrants was born and raised in Las Vegas Nevada.He quickly became a national and international idol to millions. He contributed to the democratisation of the game of tennis. Humble and always generous, the world will remember this great man!

The masses thank you Andre for making us love and learn your great sport. Thank you!

Looks like Syrian president Assaad is taking his frustration out on Arab leaders again to try to justify his failed state, regime and loss of influence in the region.

During a recent speech to his parliement, Assad referred to arab neibourghs who did not back his political stance on the ongoing conflict in Lebanon as "half-men". This was an obvious attack against the regimes of Jordan and Egypt who refused to side with the Hezbollah during the recent conflict.

Consequently, state owned newspapers in Egypt have been having a field day with the whole issue by lashing out against the regime of Assad in Damascus. Egyptian editorials are quick to reming us that Syria did not send half a soldier to the conflict, that Syria did not send half a tank or morter to help Lebanon and that the Syrian regime trembles in fear to face the Israeli military one on one. Other Egyptian papers have given the Syrian regime the title of agressors that have killed thousands of their own people when they rose up against their government years back and accused Assad of having destroyed their Lebenese "brothers".

The recent blows dealt to the opposition groups in Egypt has shocked many including myself. Many of us were fooled in believing that last year's show of good faith by the Egyptian regime was the beginning of something new, a re-awakening of Egyptian politics, that the country was heading gradually towards real democratic reforms. The events of the last 2 months demonstrated quite the opposite. It showed to the world that Egypt has had a change of hearts, that the government has started to distance itself from reforms and that the US probably stopped pressuring Egypt to continue its steps to head towards an honest and fair political system in the land of the pharaohs.

Many in Egypt fear democracy and not all for the same reasons. The government fears it because of the reality that it might not be re-elected. Others fear change because of the possibility of having religious fanatics and their friends in power. Groups such as the MB claim to have changed but in reality, who can really trust them and be certain of that?

The recent blows dealt to the opposition groups in Egypt have shocked many including myself. Many of us were fooled in believing that last year's show of good faith by the Egyptian regime was the beginning of something new, a re-awakening of Egyptian politics, that the country was heading gradually towards real democratic reforms. The events of the last 2 months demonstrated quite the opposite. It showed to the world that Egypt has had a change of hearts, that the government has started to distance itself from reforms and that the US probably stopped pressuring Egypt to continue its steps to head towards an honest and fair political system in the land of the pharaohs.

Many in Egypt fear democracy and not all for the same reasons. The government fears it because of the reality that it might not be re-elected. Others fear change because of the possibility of having religious fanatics and their friends in power. Groups such as the MB claim to have changed but in reality, who can really trust them and be certain of that?

The Egyptians authorities have arrested 50 pro-democracy activists that were peacefully protesting in Cairo last week. The protestors were demonstrating against the jail sentences given to members of the judges club (Judges) that denounced the massive election fraud that happened during last year's first multicandidate election.

What has happened to the democratic promises?

Here's how you can demand the respect and realease of the democracy protesters.

Please write to:

In Canada

Embassy of the Arab Republic
of Egypt
454 Laurier Ave. East
Ottawa, ON K1N 6R3

Tel (613) 234-4931
Fax (613) 234-9347
www.egyptembassy.ca
egyptemb@sympatico.ca

The Egyptians authorities have arrested 50 pro-democracy activists that were peacefully protesting in Cairo last week. The protestors were demonstrating against the jail sentences given to members of the judges club (Judges) that denounced the massive election fraud that happened during last year's first multicandidate election.

What has happened to the democratic promises?

Here's how you can demand the respect and realease of the democracy protesters.

Please write to:

In Canada

Embassy of the Arab Republic
of Egypt
454 Laurier Ave. East
Ottawa, ON K1N 6R3

Tel (613) 234-4931
Fax (613) 234-9347
www.egyptembassy.ca
egyptemb@sympatico.ca

I'm back from my business trip!!!

Ohhhh....Yeahhh....Sin city was great!

And yup, I also found time to party. Vegas is full excitement. It's impossible to get bored in that city. Personnally, I recommend the Ghost club (on top of the Palm hotel) as well as the VIP discotheque at the Hard Rock Cafe. You can check out some pictures in my photo album on the bottom right-hand corner of this page.

Enjoy cause I sure did!

I'm back from my business trip!!!

Ohhhh....Yeahhh....Sin city was great!

And yup, I also found time to party. Vegas is full excitement. It's impossible to get bored in that city. Personnally, I recommend the Ghost club (on top of the Palm hotel) as well as the VIP discotheque at the Hard Rock Cafe. You can check out some pictures in my photo album on the bottom right-hand corner of this page.

Enjoy cause I sure did!

This is an Egyptian solidarity rally that happenned in Cairo this week.

We should respect eachother and love each other no matter what our faith or beliefs are. After all, we are all Egyptians...

These pictures are courtesy of Big Pharaoh. Please visit his blog at http://www.bigpharaoh.com/

This is an Egyptian solidarity rally that happenned in Cairo this week.

We should respect eachother and love each other no matter what our faith or beliefs are. After all, we are all Egyptians...

These pictures are courtesy of Big Pharaoh. Please visit his blog at http://www.bigpharaoh.com/

I must apologize to all of my fellow bloggers and readers. I've been very busy recently at my new job and I haven't been blogging as much lately.

But you may all rest assured, I will re-start blogging again on a more regular basis during the month of May. It's been really hectic at work and I simply did not have enough time to blog in the last month or so. I will be leaving on an important business trip all of next week and I'll be back, blogging again regularly during the month of May.

Expect more controversial and spicy blogs on my return!!!

I must apologize to all of my fellow bloggers and readers. I've been very busy recently at my new job and I haven't been blogging as much lately.

But you may all rest assured, I will re-start blogging again on a more regular basis during the month of May. It's been really hectic at work and I simply did not have enough time to blog in the last month or so. I will be leaving on an important business trip all of next week and I'll be back, blogging again regularly during the month of May.

Expect more controversial and spicy blogs on my return!!!

In case some of you haven't noticed, two of our great Egyptian bloggers are now at war.

Tomambay and the Sandmonkey have been attacking eachothers blogs for the last couple of days. Tomambay (and many others) believe that Sandmonkey constantly contradicts himself and that he hasn't brought any notable contribution to the Blogosphere.

In case some of you haven't noticed, two of our great Egyptian bloggers are now at war.

Tomambay and the Sandmonkey have been attacking eachothers blogs for the last couple of days. Tomambay (and many others) believe that Sandmonkey constantly contradicts himself and that he hasn't brought any notable contribution to the Blogosphere.

The mistreament of Egyptians working abroad and the abuse some face in the hands of gulf arabs should be a wake-up call for all Egyptians. As a proud people, we should analyse and try to find all possible ways to improve our economy and our international ties with regional superpowers. Our youth should not have to live in exile far away from their families and be treated in such humiliating ways. Even if it might not be easy for many to accept, Egypt should increase its economic ties with all its neibourghs, including Israel. The 2 nations have a peace treaty since the 70's and I don't see why they shouldn't engage in more commerce with eachother. It's pretty logical, if the 2 regional powers engage in more economic and social exchanges, the whole area would benefit. Egyptians from the Sinai already enjoy the financial benefits from the thousands of tourists visiting resorts on the Egyptian side of the border. Unfortunately, that's not sufficient, more ties should be created in sll spheres of business, not only in tourism.

The mistreament of Egyptians working abroad and the abuse some face in the hands of gulf arabs should be a wake-up call for all Egyptians. As a proud people, we should analyse and try to find all possible ways to improve our economy and our international ties with regional superpowers. Our youth should not have to live in exile far away from their families and be treated in such humiliating ways. Even if it might not be easy for many to accept, Egypt should increase its economic ties with all its neibourghs, including Israel. The 2 nations have a peace treaty since the 70's and I don't see why they shouldn't engage in more commerce with eachother. It's pretty logical, if the 2 regional powers engage in more economic and social exchanges, the whole area would benefit. Egyptians from the Sinai already enjoy the financial benefits from the thousands of tourists visiting resorts on the Egyptian side of the border. Unfortunately, that's not sufficient, more ties should be created in sll spheres of business, not only in tourism.

EGYPT: Migrant workers face abuse (Reuters)

According to data from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), there are currently over 2 million Egyptians working abroad. While the majority are in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, there are also considerable numbers in Jordan and Lebanon, as well as in Europe.

The phenomenon has given rise to numerous reports of abuses and exploitation. "Migrants, including large numbers of women employed as domestic servants, face intimidation and violence at the hands of employers, supervisors, sponsors and police," according to US-based international watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW). Full story here

EGYPT: Migrant workers face abuse (Reuters)

According to data from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), there are currently over 2 million Egyptians working abroad. While the majority are in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, there are also considerable numbers in Jordan and Lebanon, as well as in Europe.

The phenomenon has given rise to numerous reports of abuses and exploitation. "Migrants, including large numbers of women employed as domestic servants, face intimidation and violence at the hands of employers, supervisors, sponsors and police," according to US-based international watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW). Full story here

Today I'm in a bitching mood and I feel like venting, here we go:

This winter has been particularly long and extremely painful. I guess I'm not genetically made for the Canadian climate. Yes I'm born here and I spent all of my life here, yet I still can't handle the cold. We are at the beginning of March and the temperature is still in the -10 degree range!  Wow, when will this crap end, so much for global warning!

Here's my typical day, I wake up, go to work, get stuck in traffic (because of the snow), leave the office at five, get back home at 6pm and it's already dark outside. This routine is getting really horrible. And no no, I don't practice any winter sports....You'll never see an Egyptian skiing, skating or playing hockey, it just won't happen. Yet almost all Egyptian-Canadians are huge hockey fans. We regularly watch hockey games and discuss them in our cafes or during family gatherings.

Today I'm in a bitching mood and I feel like venting, here we go:

This winter has been particularly long and extremely painful. I guess I'm not genetically made for the Canadian climate. Yes I'm born here and I spent all of my life here, yet I still can't handle the cold. We are at the beginning of March and the temperature is still in the -10 degree range!  Wow, when will this crap end, so much for global warning!

Here's my typical day, I wake up, go to work, get stuck in traffic (because of the snow), leave the office at five, get back home at 6pm and it's already dark outside. This routine is getting really horrible. And no no, I don't practice any winter sports....You'll never see an Egyptian skiing, skating or playing hockey, it just won't happen. Yet almost all Egyptian-Canadians are huge hockey fans. We regularly watch hockey games and discuss them in our cafes or during family gatherings.

Violent clashes in Egypt between Muslims and Coptic Christians on Monday left eight Egyptians injured in the village of Al Ayat, south of Cairo. Egyptian security sources reported that the violence erupted over the construction of a community center by the area's Christian minority amidst Muslim claims that it would be converted into a church.

Mabrouk to all Egyptians. Once again, we are the kings of Africa!

I would like to offer my sincere condolences to all the families of the victims of the Egyptian ferry boat disaster. A boat carrying 1400 passengers coming back from the KSA sank in the red sea off Egypt's coast last night. Most of the passengers were Egyptian nationals working abroad in the KSA. They were coming back home. This news made me very sad and I hope the families will be able to face this tragedy with strenght, courage and determination.

I also hope that the authorities will investigate the causes of this disaster in a fair way and severely punish those responsible. Egyptian authorities are notorious for negligence in respecting travel laws, building (construction) codes and traffic violations. Most inspectors and officers accept bribes and too often close their eyes to severe safety violations. Some months ago, a fire at a theatre in northern Egypt took the lives of hundreds, it was later determined that the facility did not follow the basic fire prevention norms. No emergency exit and plans were in place. Building collapses are also very frequent in the country. Some greedy apartment building owners often add floors to their building without obtaining the proper permits. As a result, the work of the contractors does not follow the minimal safety norms. Often, tragedies such as building collapses occur.

Egypt's national soccer (football) team has won its quarterfinal match against Congo with a convincing score of 4-1.

I would like to congratulate the Egyptian team on behalf of all Egyptians and foreign born Egyptians in the diaspora. From Canada, Australia, the US and Europe, we're behind you all the way. Keep up the great work guys!

The Pharaohs easily move on to the quarterfinals.

Great job guys, keep up the good work!

CAIRO, Jan 28 (SW) - Egypt have joined Côte d'Ivoire in the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations, following a 3-1 victory while Morocco were held to a scoreless draw by Libya.

The hosts were by far the stronger side in the opening phase, as Côte d'Ivoire had a slow start. The 'Orange Elephants' rested some key players, including striker Didier Drogba.

Nine minutes had been played when Emad Motab finished an Egyptian attack with a header past Côte d'Ivoire's goalkeeper.

Complete story http://www.soccerway.com/news/2006/january/28/acn-egypt-beat-cte-divoire-for-quarter-final-spot

Election day is always serious because it is the day that citizens have a voice. It is the only time citiziens can make their opinions heard and that the politicians will actually listen to their worries. I also believe that it is an obligation to vote, that liberty should not be taken for granted and that this privilege comes with the obligation to exercise it. Voting is a "Thank You" gesture for our ancestors that fought for freedom or for our ancestors who immigrated here for the opportunity to have this basic right.