Pack of cards

---

The joy of Ramadan In Alexandria's Victoria Square, Ayman Farahat captures the multi-coloured ribbons that have each Ramadan traditionally come to decorate the alleyways and connect balconies to each other, turning this from a street scene to one of brilliance.

It seems that the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan has inspired the Indonesian Troupe of religious chanters and Sufi singers, led by Nour Akhyari, to being new life to evenings in Cairo at several venues. Over recent days the troupe has performed at the Mahka Theatre in Salaheddin's Citadel, the Cervantes Institute (Spanish Cultural Centre) and the Ghouri Palace. It is also due to perform at the Cairo Opera House on 20 September. ( see Listings p.2 )

photos: Ayman Barayez Amid a warm and friendly atmosphere, Al-Ahram Editor-in- Chief Osama Saraya invited Al-Ahram' s senior editors, managers and heads of department for Sohour at the poolside in Giza's First Mall.

In honour of Libya's 39th National Day, the Embassy of Libya in Cairo organised a reception at the Marriott Hotel, in the presence of Ahmed Qazzaf Al-Dam, coordinator of Egyptian-Libyan relations. The event was crowned by the presence of People's Assembly Speaker Fathi Sorour, Secretary- General of the Arab League Amr Moussa, Minister of State for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Moufid Shehab, Irrigation Minister Mahmoud Abu Zeid and Presidential Adviser Osama El-Baz, to mention but a few.

Celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, famous scriptwriter Faisal Nada held a lavish Sohour at his residence. It was attended by a galaxy of celebrities, including veteran actors Youssef Shaaban, Farouk El-Fishawi, El-Sayed Radi, Ahmed Maher and retired belly dancer Nagwa Fouad, among many others. The stars all enjoyed together their Sohour to the melodies of Oriental and folklore music.

The Cairo Sheraton Hotel witnessed a number of Sohour gatherings organised by the cast members of famous Ramadan TV soap operas. Among them were get-togethers by the cast of TV series Roumanet Al-Mizan, starring actress Poussy, belly dancer Dina and actor Sami El-Adl, who celebrated their show's success. Meanwhile, the cast of the TV series Hima, starring comedian Ahmed Rizq, actresses Abla Kamel, Reham Abdel-Ghafour, singer-cum-actress Maye Kassab and directed by Gamal Abdel-Hamid organised a thrilling Sohour, during which they entertained each other playing musical instruments. This is in addition to the Sohour of the TV show Qamar 's crew, starring actresses Fifi Abdu, Rania Mahmoud Yassin, actor Riyad El-Kholi, who together participated in a folk dance show.

Under the auspices of writer Alfa Al-Salami, the Tunisian Media Agency organised a lavish Sohour at the Nile boat Saraya. Tunisian Ambassador Abdel-Hafiz Al-Herqam welcomed Nisf Al-Donia magazine Editor-in-Chief Afkar El-Kharadli, Rose El-Youssef Editor-in-Chief Abdallah Kamal, head of the Nile Culture satellite channel Gamal El-Shaer and Al-Cinema wal Nas Editor-in-Chief Abdel-Moneim Saad.

Every Tuesday throughout the month of Ramadan, Rotaract Club of Nasr City is set to hold an Iftar for orphaned children or those with intellectual disabilities, the elderly, the sick, or those stricken by poverty. Last Tuesday club members, headed by its president Amr Mohsen, paid a visit to Ibn Toloun School for children with special needs, and shared an Iftar meal with 200 students and their families. A DJ played music in a live concert that was for the attending children the icing on the cake. Nasr City Rotaract Vice-President Adel Bosseli said that before Ramadan had begun 25 club members had prepared 600 bags filled with foodstuffs and distributed them among the poor in popular Cairo districts Ezbet Al-Haggana, Zawya Al-Hamra and Darb Al-Ahmar.

Senior news anchor at Nile TV International Mona Sewilam was selected Alumni Ambassador for the European University's Centre for Peace Studies (EPU) in Austria to Egypt. This is the first time that the university appoints an ambassador to Egypt, which is one reason why Sewilam is ecstatic and highly motivated to conduct voluntary work. EPU is the winner of the 1995 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education. Sewilam graduated from EPU in 2005 with an MA (Distinction) in Peace and Conflict Studies. She worked as EPU assistant director and as consultant for the UN-affiliated University for Peace in Costa Rica. She is an active member of the Network of African Peace-Builders, a regional NGO based in Lusaka, Zambia. Sewilam is currently applying what she learned in Austria through scriptwriting, presenting and working as assistant director on a bi-monthly English- language Nile TV programme called "Peace in Focus", which received two Arab League Appreciation Awards in 2008.

photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid A wealth of singers performed at the thrilling Ramadan tent Solidaire, including popular singer Saad El-Soghayar, performers Essam Karika, Haitham Shaker and Tarek Abdel-Halim, as well as talented pop artists Hossam Habib and Rami Sabri. The First Mall's Ramadan tent also featured a performance by percussionist Nesma Abdel-Aziz, who played on marimba a collection of works by Egypt's renowned composers. A variety of stars were seen at the tent, including Saudi Princess Hend Tork and her daughter Samaher, cast members of popular TV series Al-Dali, rising actresses Inas Kamel and Dina Fouad, actor Amr Youssef, as well as comedian Ahmed Rizq in his first public appearance with his Moroccan wife.

The Delegation of the European Commission in Cairo is organising its First Photography Competition in Egypt, titled "Egypt: Life in a Picture", whose aim is to promote and stimulate interest and creativity in photography among amateur photographers in Egypt. It is also set to provide photographers the opportunity to disseminate and exhibit their work. Photographic entries to this competition can be delivered by hand or posted by mail. In both cases, the deadline is 12pm local time on 12 October 2008. The competition is open to all amateur photographers living in Egypt who do not receive a major part of their income from photography. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Members of the jury include cinematographer Ramses Marzouk, painter Adel El-Siwi, photojournalist and senior photographer of Agence France Presse (AFP) Chris Bouroncle and Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own photographer Randa Shaath, who also worked for AFP and exhibited across the Middle East, Europe and the US, whilst also representing the Delegation of the European Commission. For more information about the competition go to www.eu- delegation.org.eg.