PHOTOS Cairo Ahead of The Visit

[Jackeens]

:blush: Another Egyptian thread (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8445933&mesg_id=8445933), but these photos (taken in the last two days) are kinda breathtaking.

1

The sun sets behind modern buildings and mosque minarets on June 2, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt.

2

Islamic students pray at the al Azhar mosque before heading into exams at the associated al Azhar University, the chief centre of Arabic literature and Sunni Islamic learning in the world

3

An Egyptian woman sells cooked beans in the street outside the al Azhar mosque on June 2, 2009 in Cairo

4

An Islamic student prays in the al Azhar mosque

5

A man prays at Al-Azhar Mosque in the old Islamic area of Cairo

6

A student of Al-Azhar University studies at Al-Azhar Mosque in the old Islamic area of Cairo

7

Workers wash the streets in front of the Sultan Hassan Mosque in the old Islamic area of Cairo, June 2, 2009, before the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Egypt.

8

A camel-mounted policeman surveys the grounds of the Cheops pyramids in the Giza plateau in the outskirts of Cairo where security is heightened on June 2, 2009, in preparation for a possible visit by US President Barack Obama on June 4.

9

10

The owner of a copper handicrafts' shop holds a portrait of U.S. President Barack Obama and a rendering of Obama's name in hieroglyphs in Cairo

11

An Egyptian vendor displays a handmade copper plaque reading "Obama, New Tutankhamun of the World" at his shop in the Khan el-Khalili market area in Cairo

12

A worker passes a souvenir shop displaying a T-shirt for sale reading "Obama, new Tutankhamon of the world" in Cairo

13

14

A policeman walks in front of the Royal Mosque (Al-Rifai) in Old Cairo on June 2, 2009, as security heightens in preparation for the visit of US President Barack Obama on June 4.

15

Egyptian workers polish a pillar in front of Cairo University May 25, 2009, ahead of U.S. President Obama's visit to Egypt

16

An Egyptian worker cleans a garden in front of the dome in Cairo University May 25, 2009, ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Egypt


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[onehandle]

I've had those kind of beans. (Also wasn't Tutankhamun murdered?)

Can't remember what the beans are called, but they are tasty and highly nutritious.

I get the Tutankhamun reference, but...

[mainer]

3. Yeah, that Tut reference is sort of weird.

Although Egyptologists can't agree on whether Tut was murdered or not. The official word is not, but the unofficial word (at least among my Egyptologist friends) is that the evidence is pretty good he was murdered.

Those beans ARE delicious. Bean stew is the "national dish" of Egypt.

[Sultana]

15. I THINK it's Fool Medames

The cheapest meal one can buy in Misr

[onehandle]

1. delete

delete

[mainer]

2. I was in Egypt right after the election -- Americans were cheered!

Everywhere I went, when the locals found out I was American, they'd shout "Obama!" and gave a grinning thumbs up. There were spontaneous celebrations across the country. Such a difference from my previous visits to the middle east, when everyone wanted to argue with me about Bush.

[Inuca]

5. Interesting and hope-giving n/t

[Cha]

6. What a Double good feeling

that must have been..on the outcome of our presidential election!

[Inuca]

4. Two comments

1. "camel-mounted police" - practical, but funny
2. "Obama, new Tutankhamon of the world" - kitch is thriving everywhere

[Jackeens]

7. On both counts, I agree!

:-)

[Sanity Claws]

8. Where are the women?

I saw only two women in all of those photos. One was selling beans and the other was walking with a man.
Not one of the students or worshippers was a woman.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. Women would worship in another part of the mosque

so as not to distract the men from their prayers. This points up the fact that men are weak when it comes to women--because in smaller mosques, women are right behind the men and seem to be able to keep their thoughts on God. Interestingly enough, in the most liberal Sufi groups, the women often lead the prayers and everyone is all mixed together, or men and women grouped side by side, shoulder to shoulder.

[Sanity Claws]

13. I figured that but did you notice that

all workers in the photos, except for the woman selling beans, were men.
Women seem to be hidden away.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

12. It's a different culture... women aren't equal to men (even worse than the Western world).

They'll get there eventually (I usually see the glass as half full).

[Sanity Claws]

14. The photos clearly reflect women's unequal status.

[goclark]

10. Just breathtaking ~ I loved visiting Egypt

Brings back a lot of memories.
Thanks for the lovely pictures.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

11. Gorgeous pics.... I can't wait to hear President Obama's speech!

[Jackeens]

16. jesus_of_suburbia, we gotta get to Cairo - soon!