Here are a few phrases in Arabic that you can use in Religion in Egypt your correspondence with your sponsored child: EGYPT Sabah iI kheer Most Egyptians are Muslim (94.6 percent), and the Good morning/day remaining 5.4 percent are Christian. Izzayik (feminine)/Issayak (masculine) Muslims are followers of Islam. Islam is an Arabic How are you? word meaning “submission to the will of Allah (God).” Kawyyis iI hammdullah Muslims believe that Allah’s will was revealed to the I’m fine prophet Muhammad more than 14 centuries ago Ma’a salama and was captured in the Islamic holy book, the Koran Goodbye (Qur’an). Together with the Sunnah, a collection of Eid Mubarrak sayings attributed to Muhammad, these texts provide Happy Feast a firm basis for religious and social life for all Muslims, including rules for diet, dress, hygiene, and more. Holidays Islam is a religion of peace and prayerfulness. A devout Muslim prays five times daily. If possible, Muslims pray Holidays are very important to your sponsored child in a mosque, and on Friday do so with common prayer and family. The most important ones have religious and a sermon. Islam also requires that Muslims make significance: a pilgrimage, called the Hajj, to the holy city of Mecca Population 80.7 million January 7 at least once in their lifetime. Islamic holidays include Coptic Christmas Day Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar that Capital City Cairo February* commemorates the month Muhammad received the Birth of the Prophet Official Language Arabic revelations that became the Koran. Eid al-Fitr is a joyous July 23 feast celebrating the end of Ramadan and the month of Per Capita Income US$3,000/year Revolution Day fasting. Al-Hijra celebrates the Islamic New Year. Youth Literacy Rate 92% male/86% female October 6 Armed Forces Day Christians are followers of Jesus, a carpenter and a Access to Safe Water 100% urban/99% rural Jew from the city of Nazareth in present-day Israel. December* Under 5 Mortality Rate 21/1,000 live births Islamic New Year Christians believe that Jesus is the only son of God, born of a virgin woman (Mary) in a stable in Bethlehem. His Source: The State of the World’s Children 2014 (UNICEF) December 23 Victory Day story is told in the New Testament of the Christian holy book, the Bible. *date varies Additional sources include the CIA World Factbook and State Department websites. Egypt is an Arab country in North Africa. Egypt’s population inhabits only 4 percent of the nation’s land; the remaining 96 percent comprises the shifting sands of the Sahara Plan International USA is part of a global organization that works side by side with communities in 50 developing countries to Desert. It is said that in some areas of Egypt’s Western Desert—the driest region of end the cycle of poverty for children. We develop solutions community by community to ensure long-term sustainability. Our the Sahara—entire generations can pass without rainfall. The Nile, the world’s longest level of community engagement, long-term outlook, and constant focus on the needs and priorities of children is unique among international development organizations. Our solutions are designed up-front to be owned by the community for generations to river, flows from south to north over the entire length of Egypt. At Cairo, the great river come, and range from clean water and health-care programs to education projects and child-protection initiatives. divides into two branches, and between this fork lies the rich delta, hailed as the most fertile land in the world. The average temperature in winter is a pleasant 65ºF, although Promising Futures, Plan International USA Community by Community 155 Plan Way • Warwick, RI 02886 summers are hot, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 100ºF. The summers are 1-800-556-7918 • planusa.org ushered in by a period of intermittent violent desert cyclones called khamsin. A Brief History back into their communities, or working to eliminate and reduce the worst forms of child labor. Plan aims to A fortunate geographical situation, with a position ensure that children and other people with disabilities connecting the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe, are able to access services and are included in decision- has contributed to Egypt’s rich history. Great temples, making. In addition, our “Learn Without Fear” campaign monuments, and tombs of the great Egyptian pharaohs protects children from violence in schools and increases reflect Egyptian history since 4000-3000 BC. The quality and inclusive education. pharaohs promoted extensive commerce with other parts of the Mediterranean, and Egypt for centuries was Youth development and leadership considered the “bread basket” of the region, producing large amounts of food from the banks of the Nile River. Plan is promoting youth clubs in communities where activities for children and youth are very limited. Over the centuries, Egypt has alternately been part This program builds young people’s confidence and of the Roman Empire, ruled by Islam, and coveted by capacity so that they can become active in community society organizations and improving leadership skills. nearly all industries were privately owned, creating Christian Crusaders. From the 16th century to the 19th development. We use media as a tool to motivate young a large gap between the haves and have-nots. The century, Egypt was an autonomous part of the Ottoman people to engage in community action and also help country’s economy is based on agriculture, with cotton Empire. In 1798, Napoleon landed at Alexandria and Clothing youth to acquire livelihood and social skills with the being one of the most important crops in Egypt and conquered the delta. French occupation lasted for support of the business sector. Typical dress of the people of Egypt varies in urban and accounting for tremendous export revenues. three years and left behind a rich legacy, setting up rural areas. Most people who live in the urban areas the first printing press in the area and reorganizing Girls’ and women’s empowerment dress in European-style clothing. While at home, the Naming Traditions the administrative and fiscal system. More important, majority of lower middle-class men wear a light cotton however, was the change in academic orientation, which This program provides space for girls and women to pajama-type suit, and most women wear simple cotton Children’s names may vary and reveal the family’s led to scientific and technological advances. During the improve their skills and increases opportunities to dresses to keep cool. Women in rural areas follow local religion. For example, “Mohamed” indicates that the early 19th century, Egypt was a British protectorate. engage them in public decision-making and household traditions, dressing in long cotton garments. Men in family is Muslim, while “Bostros” indicates that the Egypt gained independence from the British after the economic security. The establishment of village savings rural areas typically wear a long suit called a galabeia family is Coptic. However, the names do not always July revolution led by Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1952. and loan associations encourages girls and women and a little crown cap on their heads called a tagia. relate to religious tradition. Many Egyptian names to save money and provide loans among themselves. simply indicate a human quality. For example, “Adel” Plan’s work in Egypt focuses on four We also help girls and women acquire literacy and Diet and Nutrition means “fair man” and “Amina” means “honest woman.” core areas: numeracy. Other areas of focus include raising All names follow patriarchal lines of descent. After a awareness to reduce harmful traditional practices (HTP); Bread is the staple of the Egyptian diet. Bread and person’s first name comes the name of his father, then Protection and participation of children increasing gender sensitivity and reproductive health other cereals supply up to 80 percent of the protein the name of his or her grandfather, etc. Youth development and leadership knowledge; and enhancing quality and inclusiveness of consumed by Egyptian families. Legumes—fava beans, Girls’ and women’s empowerment formal and nonformal education for girls. chick peas, and lentils—are the second most important Language Active citizenship food group. Meats and vegetables are expensive and Active citizenship therefore only rarely eaten. Arabic is the official language in Egypt and is spoken Protection and participation of by the majority of the population. It is very likely that children This program works on strengthening local Economic Security you will encounter a language barrier in communicating organizations and increasing communities’ participation with your sponsored child, as the majority of the This program mobilizes communities to include and in civic engagement and public accountability processes Egypt has long been an underdeveloped country. children do not know enough English to write a letter. support the protection, participation, and development for the rights of children. It also enhances partnerships However, since the 1950s the economy of Egypt has Those who do not know English will be assigned of children in various situations and environments, between the private sector and government institutions. expanded greatly through a series of governmental community workers or volunteers who will explain your whether helping to integrate children in street situations The main focus is on building the capacity of civil programs and reforms. Until this period of expansion, letters and help the children compose their responses. .