Egypt, a modern myth
Facts and figures
. Official name: Arab Republic of Egypt
. President: Hosni Mubarak (in power since 1981)
. Capital: Cairo (16 million inhabitants)
. Surface area: 102,000 km2 (only 50,000 km2 of which are habitable and arable)
. Currency: Egyptian pound (1 euro = 4.45 Egyptian pounds)
. Official language: Arabic. English and French are widely spoken.
. Population: 68 million
. Population density: about 60 people/km2. Cairo is the largest metropolis in
Africa with a population density of over 44,000 people/km2
. Population growth: 2.1%
. Urban population: 45%
. 35% of Egypt’s population is under the age of 15
. Active population: 17.8%
. Unemployment rate: officially 8-10%, unofficially about 20%
. Literacy rate: 52%
. GDP: $91 billion (2000)
. Per capita GDP: $1,333 (2000)
. Major cities: Alexandria (3,500,000), Assyut (2,900,000), Port Said (470,000),
Suez (420,000), Aswan (242,000)
. Largest river: the Nile (6,650 km)
. Highest peak: Mount Sainte Catherine (2,642 m)
. Religions: Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the population (85%). Christians
make up 10% of the population and are mainly Orthodox Copts. As the official religion
is Islam, Sharia (Islamic law) is the basis for Egyptian law
. Administration: 26 provinces run by a governor – who has the rank of minister
– that themselves are divided into districts
. Institutions: Egypt is a parliamentary republic. The president is elected by
referendum every six years. The parliament, which comprises two chambers (People’s
Assembly and Consultative Council), is renewed every five years
. Main resources: oil, natural gas, cotton, maize, beans, sugarcane, dates, wheat,
rice
. Member of the following international organisations: UN, WTO, AU (African Union),
IMF, Arab League, COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), Organisation
Internationale de la Francophonie and Parlements Francophones
. Borders: Libya to the west, Israel to the northeast and Sudan to the south.
Egypt has two sea coasts, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, which are linked
by the Suez Canal, a transit point for trade between Europe and Asia
. Climate: Mediterranean (mild winters and hot summers) on the northern coast,
semi-desert near Cairo and desert in the south. The best time to visit Egypt is
in the autumn and winter. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below 22°C,
but the nights are chilly. Spring and summer can be very hot, but are dry
. Alexandria is Egypt’s largest port, bringing in almost 40% of the country’s
sea traffic (handling 23.2 million tonnes of goods). The city contributes 20%
of Egypt’s GDP and the cruise terminal welcomes 100, 000 passengers a year
. Some 700,000 young people enter the job market every year
Holidays
. 1 January: New Year’s Day
. 21 March: Spring Holiday
. 25 April: anniversary of the restitution of the Sinai Peninsula
. 1 May: Labour Day
. 18 June: anniversary of the departure of the last British forces in 1956
. 23 July: Revolution Day (national holiday)
. 6 October: Armed Forces Day
(Muslim holidays, whose dates are moveable, are also celebrated)
A little contemporary history
A former British protectorate, Egypt and its monarchy were subject to foreign
influence until 1952, when the Free Officers overthrew King Farouk. The Republic
of Egypt was proclaimed in June 1953. In 1954, on of these officers, Gamal Abdel
Nasser, took power. The leader of Arab nationalism, he put his country on the
path of socialism.
Anwar Sadat, who succeeded him in 1971, quickly changed tack and initiated a free
market economic policy. Above, all he worked to establish peace with Israel with
his historic trip to Jerusalem on 11 November 1977, which resulted in him being
considered a persona non grata in the Arab world and his assassination in October
1981. On 17 September 1978, he welcomed the Shah of Iran, who was exiled in Aswan
on 16 January 1979.
The vice-president who succeeded him, Hosni Mubarak, has been constantly re-elected
since then. He is known for his moderate economic and foreign policies. This helped
him end his country’s isolation; after the Amman summit of November 1987,
all Arab countries renewed their ties with Cairo. Egypt rejoined the Arab League,
from which it was expelled after the Camp David accords of 18 January 1979, and
the headquarters of this organisation were moved back to the Egyptian capital
from Tunis on 31 October 1990.
Egypt’ siding with the US-led coalition during the Gulf War allowed it to
renew ties with international financial institutions and received large amounts
of aid and remissions of debt to help rebuild its economy.
(Source: Mission économique de France en Egypte)
Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage sites
1979: Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
1979: Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
1979: Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
1979: Islamic Cairo
1979: Abu Mena
2002 Saint Catherine Area
Contacts
In Egypt
(To telephone Egypt, dial + 20 for the country code, 2 is the area code for
Cairo and 3 is the area code for Alexandria, followed by the number of the person
you are ringing)
In Cairo
. Embassy of France
T: 570 39 16 – F: 571 02 76
. Mission Economique de France
T: 738 07 22/33/44 – F: 736 82 38
. Delegation of the European Commission
T: 749 46 80 – F: 749 53 63
. Bureau d’information sur les techniques françaises (BITF)
Ambassade de France – Mission économique
Hassan Behnam (director du BITF)
T: 738 09 25 – F: 738 09 17
E-mail: HBenham.bitf@ubifrance.com
In Alexandria
. Consulate of France
T: 487 56 15 – F: 487 56 14
. Governorate of Alexandria
T: 486 16 66/484 71 92 – F: 486 87 86
In Belgium (Brussels)
(To telephone Belgium, dial + 32 for the country code, 2 for Brussels, followed
by the number of the person you are ringing)
. Embassy of the Republic of Egypt
T: 663 58 20 – F: 675 58 88
. Egyptian Tourist Office
T: 647 38 58 – F: 647 15 44
. Trade Bureau of the Embassy of Egypt
T: 647 32 27 or 647 27 78 – F: 646 45 09
In France (Paris)
. Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
56 avenue d’Iéna 75016 Paris
T: + 33 (0) 1 53 67 88 30
. Le Centre Culturel d’Egypt
111 boulevard Saint Michel 75005 Paris
T: + 33 (0)1 46 33 75 67/+ 33 (0)1 46 33 91 90/+ 33 (0)1 46 33 93 94
F: + 33 (0)1 43 26 18 83
. Egyptian Tourist Office
90 avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008 Paris
T: + 33 (0)1 45 62 94 42
Helpful hints
• Time difference: GMT + 2
• Formalities: a passport valid for over six months after your return trip.
A visa is mandatory and may be obtained at the airport when you arrive.
• Where to stay in Cairo
- At the President. A three-star hotel situated in the residential neighbourhood
of Zamalek (T: 735 06 52/735 07 18 – F: 736 17 52)
- At the Helnan Shepheard, one of Cairo’s historic hotels on the banks of
the Nile (T: 792 10 00)
• Unmissable in Cairo
- The Egyptian Museum (T: 575 43 19). The oldest object, dating from 3100 BC,
and one of the most important is the Narmer Palette, a slate plaque with battle
scenes carved into it. The palette illustrates the first time Egypt was unified
under a single sovereign. This is the starting point that is considered the beginning
of Egyptian civilisation and the birth of the Egypt of the Pharaohs. This dynasty
lasted more than 3,000 years and comprised at least 170 kings and pharaohs (the
king only took the titled of pharaoh during the New Kingdom, circa 1550 BC).
The Islamic Museum (T: 390 15 20 – 390 99 30)
• Where to stay in Alexandria
- Au Delta. Well located, this three-star hotel has all the mod cons business
people require (T: 486 90 53 or 486 51 88 – F: 486 56 30)
- At the Cecil (Sofitel) if you want to follow the footsteps of Lawrence Durrell.
A mythical five-star hotel built in 1929 in the Moorish style with unbeatable
views (T: 487 71 73 – F: 485 56 55)
. In Alexandria, diving and archaeology buffs can discover the city of Cleopatra,
situated 5 metres below the surface and many other surprises at the Diving Club
(T: 483 20 45 – Site Internet: www-alexandria-dive.com)
• What to bring back
Perfumes, spices, boxes in mother of pearl and wood, cotton garments
A must-see: El Alamein
Both a real city and a reminder of the Second World War, El Alamein contains several
cemeteries (Commonwealth, German, Italian and Greek) where lay the sometimes very
young casualties of the battles that took place there between 23 October and 4
November 1942 (60th anniversary in 2002). Don’t miss the city’s museum,
which retraces the major stages of the battle.
NB: the victory at El Alamein of the 8th British army under the orders of General
Montgomery over the German and Italian troops led by General Rommel put a definitive
end to the advance of German forces across North Africa.
Women today/ Women in history
The status of women in Egypt often varies from one social class to another.
They won the right to vote in 1956 (French women won the right to vote in 1944).
But not all of them are veiled and submissive. The Egyptian woman who does not
work, conversely to what people in the West often think, rules her family and
household with an iron hand. And the ones that have got a job, even though they
have to work 10 times harder than their male colleagues, are recognised for their
professionalism and often lead teams of men. Not everything is perfect, of course,
and there is still work to do to improve the status of women: excision is still
practised (especially in rural milieus), some hindrances to their liberty are
perpetuated by religious customs, and the percentage of women in power remains
small. Nevertheless, let’s not forget that Egyptian civilisation offered
women an important role in the past. At the time of the pharaohs, women were really
equal to men. She was free to do as she pleased (marriage, divorce, and alimony),
she had access to a throne and the universe of learning. Some women were priestesses,
doctors, viziers, surgeons, scribes and even pharaohs. Several of them left their
mark on history, such as Isis, Nitocris (the first official wife of the pharaoh),
Hatshepsut, Tiyi (queen), Nefertiti, Ankhesenamon (Tutankhamen’s wife), Mutnodjmet
(queen and sister of Nefertiti), Nefertari, Tausert (the last pharaoh) and Cleopatra.
From a more contemporary era, Hoda Chaarawi, pioneer of the Egyptian feminist
movement at the beginning of the 20th century and, currently Asma El Bakri, Mona
Zakaria, Ekbal Baraka and Hala Mustafa, prove that the battle continues.
Tahani Omar: the francophone
A teacher by training and a professor of French literature at the University
of Cairo, Tahani Omar, after having been Egypt’s first ambassador to Unesco
for three years, was appointed president of the Université française
d’Egypte in the autumn of 2002. The first to open its doors in the Middle
East. French is spoken by a good number of people. She studied at the Sorbonne
in Paris, and her grandfather, King Farouk’s private secretary, was one of
the first Egyptians to obtain a doctorate from a French university.
F&P: What activities did you participate in at Unesco?
Tahani Omar: We had many activities, which were situated on the cultural level.
Egypt has had a seat at the Executive Council of Unesco for almost 50 years. It
is also a country with geographic and political importance. We had already built
the Music Museum. We also have plans for a civilisation museum in Cairo; which
is ready, and for which we are waiting to lay the first stone. We are also thinking
of building another Egyptology museum – that in Cairo being full – which
will be located next to the pyramids. The architectural competition is underway.
Also, we must talk about the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which is, for us, not only
a rebirth but also a tribute for all of humanity. It is a message of peace, love
and opening out to others. This big project id dedicated to culture and education.
We will also try to create, through Unesco and beside the library, the first underwater
museum in the world, after the discovery of ruins off the coast of Alexandria.
We are also working on projects such as “Education for Everybody” and
a conference on the theme of women as a catalyst for peace, which is dear to the
heart of Mrs Mubarak. Anther project concerns hydrology, because water, especially
in our region, is a priority.
How would you describe contemporary Egypt?
Everyone comes to admire our ruins and our pharaohs. But we have built a lot recently.
Visit Egypt now and see what we have accomplished. Economic expansion is fast-paced.
The private sector is booming. We are very strong in the textile sector and in
working cotton. Foreign companies are coming to set up in Egypt to benefit from
a qualified and well-priced workforce. Sixth of October City, near the capital,
is a must-see. The Toshka project will make the Nile Valley bigger. Our infrastructure
is of good quality. Our beaches are magnificent and the quality of the water is
very good. We are a safe country. Violence isn’t concentrated in just one
region, it is present all over the world. So, come and visit.
Asma El Bakri: the independent
As soon as I arrive in Alexandria from Cairo, I phoned Asma, the filmmaker,
to see if I could interview her. We had an appointment the next day, a Saturday,
at 6 pm. “My apartment is across the street from the governor’s house”,
she said. “You can’t miss it.” “What’s she going to be
like, I thought?” The time came. The door opened and an easy-going woman
in a jellabah was waiting for me. We sat down in her living room and I didn’t
leave until midnight. That says it all. So, who is Asma El Bakri? A generous,
frank, cultured and independent woman. Let me introduce you.
F&P: Who is Asma El Bakri?
Asma El Bakri: I was born in Cairo. But my family came to Alexandria when
I was young, and I adore this city. I started working in cinema after my university
studies in 1970. I always wanted to, without having done the appropriate studies.
It’s a passion. I started by getting the coffee, cleaning the trays, moving
the tables. Then, I did stunts because I was a champion swimmer. One day, they
came to get me to ask me to drown myself instead of an actress. One thing led
to another, and I continued. I have directed two features and about 15 documentaries.
What are your favourite themes?
Culture in the service of politics. ‘Commercial’ cinema doesn’t
suit me.
Is Egyptian cinema a man’s world?
Not at all. Because there are few women doesn’t mean that this milieu is
only for men. It’s a choice on their part. Women have to work very hard,
and the men are good friends.
What are 24 hours in your life like?
A typical day: I get up at 6 am, with my colleagues. We get going at 6:30 am.
We get up very early for the light. Then we visit the various locations where
we will be shooting at that lasts until 5 pm – non-stop. Then we go back
to Alexandria. I am currently working on a film called Violence and Derision,
by the writer Albert Cossery, with a limited budget. The actors are from Alexandria
and the entire picture has been shot here. Since the 1920s, no Egyptian film has
been entirely filmed in Alexandria. Scenes, yes, and the rest in Cairo. After
5 pm, we change and have meeting until 1 am. The film should be ready in early
2003.
When I’m not shooting, I either go diving with Jean Yves Empereur or I go
for a stroll with my friends: we go fishing, we go out, we go to a seaside fish
restaurant. Then comes the times for a siesta. We go out again, we have something
to eat and we get back at around 2am. Before going to sleep, I read, and it’s
my favourite time of the day.
Who are your favourite writers?
At the moment, I’m reading a lot of philosophy, as well as an Austrian author,
Stefan Zweig. His novels are beautiful and his biographies are magnificent. To
relax, I frequently reread Jules Verne. I love Alexandre Dumas.
Who are your favourite directors?
I really like Arthur Schnitzler and Herman Heiss, but my favourites are still
Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles.
Which historical figure has had the biggest influence on you?
Mustapha Kemal Atatürk.
What are your passions?
Archaeology. In Egypt especially, but I also like to see digs in Syria and Iraq.
What is your main character trait?
I’m badly brought up and have a ready tongue.
And independent cinema in Egypt?
That’s what I am creating. I don’t depend on anybody. I find my budgets
and my actors. For this film, I did 277 auditions. I have the support of some
friends from Alexandria: one lends me his villa, another his cars – that
how we get by, as well as with the new technique of digital DVD. I have financing
from France, via the Francophonie and the Ministère des Affaires Etrangères.
For the rest, I produce the film with a collaborator. If this experiment succeeds,
I hope that offers will be able to profit from it.
What you think about the status of women in Egypt?
It’s a subject that one can say a lot about. In 80 per cent of cases, it
is women that manage the home. The men show off, but women run their husbands,
children and houses. And they often go wrong in raising their sons and daughters.
The mothers constantly infantilise their sons like children, and this is repeated
later with their wives. Girls always have to be in service to their brothers,
and their sons. For example, it is often mothers that insist that their daughters
be incised and not the husbands or fathers. Wearing a veil is a free choice. Girls
chose to wear it or not, and more and more wear it. There are several reasons.
This resolves economic problems: going to the hairdresser is expensive. For others,
it’s a question of how they were brought up. If I’m going to be the
only one not wearing a veil, I would prefer to wear it. Social pressure can also
be very strong. There are also woman ministers and ambassadors. We can’t
talk about discrimination. Women are sometimes responsible for their living conditions.
What are you plans?
Yes. A film on the Ayyubids and their history, which began in and finished here.
I’d previously made a film on the Fatimids. And, I’ll probably make
one on the Mamelukes.
Mona Zakaria: the impassioned architect
A specialist in Muslim architecture and a strong-willed, professional, beautiful
and humane woman, Mona Zaccharia is all of this at once, She recently worked to
rehabilitate the Misr El Kadima quarter, close to the Amr mosque in old Cairo.
The renovation of this neighbourhoods was decided on in December 1998 and work
began in April 1999. “This is a fairly pioneering idea in Egypt,” says
Mona Zakaria, the project leader who was responsible for a team of 12 architects.
The goal was to develop the local economy, revive craftsmanship, preserve traditions,
develop tourism, rehabilitate housing and be responsible for the rebirth of a
neighbourhood and its commercial activities. “At the start, the most difficult
thing was to explains to the inhabitants why we were making the changes. To be
closer to them, I opened an office in the street for two years. I spoke with every
family. A climate of confidence was established between them and me. I experienced
an extraordinary adventure”, she says. This story, which was criticised by
some, is both human and architectural. “I became a part of the lives of the
inhabitants. But now I’m a mother that must part with her children,”
adds Zakaria with a trace of sadness. Green spaces and a potters’ village
should also see the light of day in 2003.
Is it possible for a woman to operate in a field dominated by men. “Yes”,
she answers with a smile on her lips, “but a woman has to prove her competence
everyday. For a man, one time is enough.”
Hala Mustafa: the intellectual
After studying at a French school in Cairo, Hala Mustafa obtained master’s
degree and PhD in political science from the University of Cairo, then two scholarships,
one from the University of Maryland in the United States and the other from the
Institut de Sciences Politiques à Paris. So she absorbed both English and
French cultures. She is currently head of the politics department at the Centre
of Strategic and Political Studies and editor in chief of the quarterly Democracy.
F&P: What was your thesis on?
Dr Hala Mustafa: My PhD was on Islamism and the Egyptian government’s
strategies for dealing with the Islamic opposition in the time of Sadat and Mubarak.
It was a difficult subject from a political viewpoint and, for a woman, it was
even more difficult because I deal with issues that are very sensitive and I talk
about people who are very fanatical. Before my thesis, I wrote a book on the Islamic
political movement in Egypt in the 19th century.
So, you are now a journalist and a writer?
When I finished my university studies, I worked for the Centre of Strategic and
Political Studies and started working for Al Ahram, the most important Egyptian
newspaper in Cairo. I started working as a researcher in 1981. I’m now head
of the political department. I also have personal projects, including a political
journal, the first on democracy in Arabic. There are also cultural sections because
I think that there is a link between culture and political practices. I am editor
in chief of the review Democracy.
How did you assert yourself in what was considered a man’s job?
Initially, through my background and beliefs. I don’t believe in the segregation
of men and women. My father helped me a lot: he was a very liberal man, an intellectual.
He was a lawyer. I think this climate helped me a lot. When I started my career,
I faced many challenges, but I pushed myself to do what I believed in – even
to impose myself on a male milieu. I believed that I could do better than men.
If one of my male colleagues writes one article, I have to write three or four.
If they write one book, I have to write two or three. I work very hard, but I
don’t regret it because I reached a good position just on the basis of my
work. I didn’t change any of my values and I get the recognition I need.
This is the most important thing.
What are your ideas on the place of women in Egypt?
It’s really not very good, but not very bad either. This culture gives you
the first impression that it is very conservative and closed, and that there is
no room or place for women. This is not absolutely true because the same culture
gives you all the room you need as a woman, maybe more than any Western society.
There are two different mindsets: very modern, educated women and the very traditional.
The new generation is more close-minded than the old generation. In the 1930s
and 1940s, Egypt was very liberal and pro-Western. Women raised at that time started
talking about equality and human rights. In the 1970s, there was a reactionary
movement. It was religious and was demonstrated in cultural and social life, particularly
in relation to women’s issues. From this point of view, it’s not good
for women, who don’t enjoy the same social freedoms as they enjoyed two or
three decades before.
How do you see the near future?
I prefer to be optimistic. To see women in a better position, a concerted effort
is needed on the part of the state and society. Laws should be enacted to give
women more room in public and political life. We also need a cultural change.
It’s true that the Islamists are not ruling the country, but their conservative
culture in prevailing here. Conservatism may be worse than fanaticism because
you can fight fanaticism easily and it’s not accepted by the majority. But
conservatism can dominate social life and it’s not easy to fight. It slowly
becomes traditions and it’s very difficult to change it. This could be done
by liberalising the social life through the media and giving more room to the
freedom of expression. Because of the political conflict between the state and
militants, the state sometimes sacrifices freedom of expression in order to alleviate
the tension with the Islamists. It is society that really loses.
Has the world changed since 11 September? Is it a case of Islam vs. the West?
I think there is a real gap between Western culture and conventional Islamic culture.
Islam is not like the West. In the West, you are talking about developed countries,
a mature culture, a secular culture and a liberal culture. When you talk about
Islamic society, you are talking about developing countries, a society in transition.
It is not just one culture, but a series of subcultures. Yes, one of them is very
closed and very conservative. This is the culture of the majority. If you are
talking about secular and non-secular cultures, of course there is a gap. We as
Muslims, as Arabs who condone liberal culture will find ourselves in conflict
with other segments of society. We need to help developing Islamic societies to
bridge the gap between developed and developing countries.
How would you describe Egyptian women to Western women?
There are very prominent Egyptian women throughout our modern history: lawyers,
writers and journalists. They pushed the issue of women. They were few in number
but they were very well educated and they believed in their cause. We are proud
of them because they were of an international standard. Now, there are prominent
women at all levels of our society who are very influential. This is ground for
optimism for the future. Egypt was the first Arab state to pass a law enacting
equality between women and men.
Ekbal Baraka, the feminist
At 60, Ekbal Baraka, is young at heart. A journalist,
writer and screenwriter, she has only had one concern since the beginning of her
career: the emancipation of Egyptian women.
What are you thoughts on the evolution on the status of women in Egyptian society?
Ekbal Baraka: We are equal to men in the constitution. There are very few
things that we are struggling to have, like an Egyptian woman who gets married
to a foreigner to pass her nationality to her children. That’s unconstitutional,
and the government knows that. From the point of view of the constitution and
the laws, [the status of women] is OK. But from the point of view of fact, it’s
very different from theory. As a matter of fact, we don’t exist in decision-making
positions. Women make up 51 percent of Egypt’s population, but only two percent
in parliament, in the government and all the elected councils. We have to fight
to regain our rights. I say regain because the Egyptian woman was the first in
history to have all the rights, and to be a ruler and a queen before her husband
and before her brother.
Is there a big difference among social classes?
There is a very big gap nowadays between the rich and the poor in Egypt. In the
1960s, we used to be one class: middle class. Now, there are two classes: the
very rich and the very poor.
And the place of woman in the two classes?
The place of woman in the upper class is very similar to that in the poor class.
In the upper class, she does not want to work. She has enough money; she thinks
that working is only to get money. Because in Islam a family is supported by men
mainly, her husband supports her. She doesn’t has to struggle and, as a result,
her thinking is impractical and far behind the drastic change in the mentality
of women all over the world. As for the poor woman, she is not aware of her rights.
We need to raise consciousness among poor women. She has a very hard life.
Has there been any change in status of women in the last few years?
Not enough.
When you say you are fighting for the rights of women, for which women are
you fighting?
The poor. Unfortunately, I can’t reach the poor very easily because 60 percent
of them are illiterate. So, I am obliged to appear on television.
What about young Muslim women?
Young Muslim women are in the worst condition. They are so ignorant of their history
and religion, and the political life of the outside world. All they know comes
from TV. They don’t read any more. So when a demagogue comes along to tell
them to do something, they listen and believe that he is right.
But with the Internet, you could be in touch with all of us.
These means are used by demagogues. There is a Saudi Arabian channel that is telling
women to wear the veil night and day.
Why are so many women wearing the veil?
We have never had so many veiled women before. Preachers on television tell them
they have to in order to be a good Muslim. Wearing the veil is more economic than
religious. A woman covers her head because she cannot afford to go to the coiffeur
every week.
How would you describe Egyptian women?
Egyptian women are now going through a very critical time. The few activist women
among the intellectuals are fighting a very hard fight because they are not helped
by male intellectuals. And they are looked at by other women as westernised women.
Women of recent history
Hoda Chaarawi: The pioneer of the Egyptian woman’s movement
(1897-1947)
Hoda Chaarawi was the first woman to demand social and political freedoms for
women in the first half of the 20th century. During the revolution of 1919, she
led the first demonstration of 300 women against the British occupation. On 16
March 1923, she announced the creation of the first feminist union in Egypt. To
propagate her ideas and defend the rights of Egyptian women, she founded the French-language
newspaper L’Egyptienne in 1925, and the Arabic-language magazine El Masreya
in 1937.
Born on 23 June 1897 in Minieh, Hoda Chaarawi was the daughter of Mohamed Sultan
Pasha, president of the first Egyptian parliament, inspector of all Upper Egypt
and governor general of Upper Egypt. At the age of 13, she married his cousin,
the politician Ali Chaarawi. She had a gift for sciences, music, art and design,
and spoke French and Turkish fluently. She was very attached to raising the standard
of education of women and paid particular attention to writers and artists, whom
she promoted by organising competitions and exhibitions. From 1934 to her death
in 1947, she was vice president of the International Union of Women.
Out El Kouloub: the Francophile writer (1892-1968)
Out El Kouloub, Egyptian novelist, the daughter of Abdel Rahim and Zeinab El Tawdeya
(half Moroccan and half French) was born on 18 April 1899. She received a private
education, from French tutors and barely attended school. Muslim and descended
from religious heads, her education was profoundly influence by her Muslim faith
and the fact that her family were religious leaders. In 1922, she married Mostapha
Moharram Mokhtar and they had five children. In 1931, she got a divorce and custody
of the children (contrary to state and Muslim law. A member of the Egyptian aristocracy
and nicknamed “the richest woman in Egypt” because she was a large landowner,
she travelled once a year to Europe. France remained her favourite country. Wilful,
authoritarian, stubborn and a tireless worker, she admired Western philosophy
and civilisation, while maintaining her traditional Egyptian values.
All her work, which is written in French, El Khouloub concentrates on the living
conditions and psychology of the women of her country, and on education and knowledge
were the only means to salvation. She loudly proclaimed that the role of women
contributed to the blossoming of the nation’s cultural, material and moral
wealth. Her friends were Jean Marais, Jean Cocteau, Georges Duhamel and Pierre
Fresnay. Her home was open to everybody and her social life very active.