Amr Youssef - the most talked about groom

APRIL 2017 - 15 L.E., VOLUME 12, ISSUE 7 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

Men Gossip Just like Women

Things Guys Secretly Like in Girls

Meet Egypt’s Funniest Comedians

AMR

YOUSSEF

the most talked about groom

Wanderlust Traveller Stories

7

DATING RED FLAGS FOR MEN

40 Outfits for the Occasion

+

The Top Male Fashion Designers

2017 Easter Getaways BALLERINAS OF CAIRO

see page 42

+2022 +2022 267267 8485 8485

IDENTITY April 2017

volume 12 issue 07

Founder & Managing Editor ROLA KAMEL Editor-in-Chief NAWAL ISMAIL Copy-Editor AMINA EL FAYOUMY Junior Editors FARAH KHEDRE NOUR YOUNIS Freelance Writer AMINA ELGHANDOUR

R

ight in the middle of the Women’s Empowerment Issue and the Wedding Issue, both very proper topics for a women’s lifestyle magazine, comes the Men’s Issue. Focusing on topics relative to the men in our lives is a bit of a challenge! But fortunately, our Egyptian men give us plenty to work with, whether it’s the male struggles of marriage, or even fashion.

Having a plethora of inspiring and interesting men around us makes it easy to fill our pages with their interviews, all having incredible stories to share. We hope you enjoy reading about their experiences as much as we did writing about them.

Rola Kamel Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s life style, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities.

The subscription rate to Identity is 180 L.E. for one year (12 issues) by Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Distribution by AL AHRAM Website Company: QPIX SOLUTIONS Printing House: INTERNATIONAL PRINTING HOUSE (IPH) Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 0227361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

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4 April 2017

Relationship Expert MARWA RAKHA Fashion Expert NAHED KAZZIHA Senior Graphic Designer ALIA EL ABD Junior Graphic Designer SANDY SAIED Marketing & Advertising Manager RIHAM YEHIA Digital Marketing Executive YOUSSEF ALI Business Development Manager NOHA OMRAN Identity Magazine Distributor ASHRAF FOUAD

IDENTITYcontents

PASSION

6 Q&A 8 Are We in the Same Place?

10 The Seven Biggest Relationship Red Flags For Men 12 Ways Men Show Love 16 Six Egyptian Men Confess What They Look for in a Woman

STYLE

18 It’s a (Wo)men’s World 20 Style Compass 24 Closet Thief: Top 10 Men’s Items you Want 26 Egypt’s Trendiest Male Fashion Designers

INTERVIEWS

38 Egyptian Male Travellers Share Their Stories With us 42 The Two Genius Men Behind Ballerinas of Cairo 44 Mohamed El-Helw, and his selfdiscovery Journey

MEN

46 Leading Egyptian Men in the Film Industry 48 Who are the Funniest Egyptian Guys?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MAN? page 14

6 April 2017

AMR YOUSSEF see page 28

50 What Do Men Judge Other Men by? 52 How do Men and Women Perceive Attractiveness?

54 Eight Inventions That Changed Warefare and the Course of History

OUT & ABOUT 58 60 62 64

Advertorial Snaps Press Releases Horoscopes

EASTER GETAWAYS page 56

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Q&A Identity

Women are usually baffled by what men want and the two genders are always complaining that they want, and can’t seem to understand one another. Our team decided to take it upon themselves to ponder what men really want. The men in the office spoke up and the women made their best guesses!

Q: What do men want?

A’s: “Well, I believe the majority of men want their lives to be perfect. Selfish beings by nature, their aim in life is to get what they desire and what will make them happy. They think of themselves first. They want a good job, a nice car and all the luxuries that they can afford. Power and status, I would say.” Rola “We can’t generalize and say that ALL men want ONE thing. Some men are nihilist and want nothing. Others are ambitious or competitive and want to work hard, while others are just looking for fun. I just want to be comfortable.” Youssef “In the morning, they want a mother, basically someone who cooks, cleans and takes care of their every need. And at night, they want the equivalent of Haifa Wahby.” Reham “Everything and anything.” Alia A. “Sex. Everything men do in life is for sex. They work and make money to have sex easier. They go to the gym, get married and go out to have sex. It all revolves around and comes back to sex.” Steve “Freud said that men are looking for their mothers, however, I do not want a man who is looking for his mother. So, perhaps, their wants stem from a lack of affection.” Alia S. “Sex.” Sandy “I don’t know. I don’t even think that men know what they really want. I’d say love though. Men want love, we all kind of do.” Nour “Men want what we all want: Food.” Farah 8 April 2017

IDENTITYadvice

Second: Uncertainty This is the “I am not sure” phase; the “is this really it?” phase; the resistance and cold feet phase. Many relationships end here especially if one partner recoils and the other clings on. Some just have an instinctive need to settle down once they feel right in a relationship, and they pass this phase easily. Others have an instinctive need for seeing more options and exploring more of what life has to offer.

Are We in The Same Place?

A FUSIONAL VOYAGE EXPERIENCE INSPIRED BY OUR FRENCH CHEF LAURENT PEUGEOT

Third: Exclusivity This is the phase when the couple decides to give their relationship a serious shot and they stop dating other people. They are no longer in doubt, but they want to make sure that they are getting to know one another slowly but surely.

Fourth: Intimacy

by Marwa Rakha This is not just physical intimacy; this is also emotional intimacy! This is the time when people bare their souls and reveal their dark memories, thoughts, fears Dear Marwa, and secrets. This is a time when you feel close and I can’t understand my girlfriend anymore. One connected; when you feel safe and trusting. moment she says she wants to spend eternity with me, the next she is not sure if she is in the right Fifth: Engagement relationship. I have tried asking her about what’s This is moving forward towards “until death do us bothering her. I try as much as I can to make her apart”. This is when you start building a future together. happy, but I just don’t feel like she’s in the same place with me right now. Should I be concerned that Obviously, your girlfriend is stuck in stage two and she doesn’t love me or is it just a passing phase and you need to back off, give her time and space to it’s going to pass? When she’s satisfied with our think. Avoid being clingy or eager and do not give her relationship, she is honestly the best and I really ultimatums. Avoid playing the role of the psychoanalyst feel that she cares for me. It’s only when she starts and stop asking questions about the relationship. Do to bring up the ‘I’m not sure’ talk that I become not try to please her or win her over by trying to be terrified. What do you think? Does she not love me? someone you are not. Think of yourself as a log floating on water and just float. Relax and know that whether this relationship ends or moves to the next stage, it’s all Dear Confused, for the best.

Any relationship goes through phases, and a healthy relationship moves steadily from one phase to the Skipping stages usually sabotages the relationship, and other. As Dr. John Gray puts it, here are the five stages mixing up stages causes confusion and emotional chaos.

For example, moving from attraction to intimacy will of a relationship: make a person feel obliged and stuck, and at the same time, uncertain and worried. Also moving from stage First: Attraction This is the heads over heels phase; the love at first sight one to stage three always leaves room for uncertainty phase; the butterflies in the stomach phase. This phase to hit during any phase in the relationship. It is wise could end once you have sex or it could end once you to go slow and enjoy each stage as it passes by. Arm meet someone hotter. It could just end once the initial yourself with acceptance, an open heart and a free soul. Come what may and as I always say, in this life, spark is over. there are no regrets only lessons.

10 April 2017

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The 7 Biggest Relationship Red Flags For Men

A WEDDING AND HONEYMOON ALL IN ONE PLACE

by Farah Khedre

We all have quirks and are super weirdos, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will like us in spite of that. Just like women are picky when it comes to men, there are certain things you can do/be that will make sure he will never pick you! We’ve asked around and their verdict’s out! These 7 relationship red flags were the most common answers!

1- If She’s a Wannabe Bride Men don’t like to be rushed into doing something.

They want to take their time until they decide they want to do it on their own. If you’re rushing into your relationship forward too quickly and are immediately ready to settle down and have babies, think again. Why fast forward through first dates, anxiety of getting to know each other and all the other first timers? If you really are ready for a monogamous relationship, then 5- Drama you should be slowing down and savoring moments.

Swinging from one emotional extreme to another, and sometimes in less than minutes screams self-proclaimed 2- Dishonesty Dishonesty in all forms is unappealing to anyone. If you drama queen. Nothing good will come out of creating can’t be straightforward with the person in front of you, something out of nothing. Constant drama in life is bad then you aren’t straightforward with yourself, which for the soul, so chill out. makes you a flaky person who cannot be trusted. Even half-truths are lies so tell the full story and don’t leave 6- Not Giving Them Space out the bad parts, because they’re usually the most Solitude is healing and it brings peace to any relationship. If you are constantly at each others throat honest parts. all the time, you will eventually feel trapped, especially if you do everything together. You should spend time 3- Being Materialistic “Money can’t buy me love,” sang the Beatles 53 years with other people on your own different times and get ago and it still rings true to this day. Don’t be in it or to grow individually instead of standing still together. So out of it for the money. Don’t glorify possessions more don’t be the person who throws tantrums when he’d rather travel for the weekend or spend the night alone. than people.

4- Acting Motherly While Sigmund Freud once proposed the idea that men are looking for women who resemble their mothers, guys don’t like it when you actually become their mother. Don’t guilt trip them into doing things they don’t want to do or to spend more time with you.

Worry, care and love but not in a motherly way, but rather in a partner-y way.

12 April 2017

7- If You Treat Waiters like Crap J.K. Rowling once said, “If you want to know what a man’s like, look at how he treats his inferiors”, because that way you will glean important information about who this person really is. Eye rolling at the barista or yelling at the bank clerk because you were having “oneof-those-days” or they mistook your hot mocha for iced is not sexy.

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WAYS MEN SHOW

LOVE

by Nour Younis

Most men are not verbal. They will not tell you that they love you straight up. Men express their love in more subtle ways than women. All a woman got to do is notice, because while you might crave that verbal attention from your partner, deep inside, you should know that nothing screams out “I love you” more than the actions of a man who is deeply in love. So if he isn’t telling you that he loves you, here are some ways he might show you: He listens Never underestimate the act of listening. Most guys don’t like to listen to girls nagging about their lives. So if a guy listens, it means that he is genuinely interested in what you have to say. Yes, you got that right. Just the sole act of a guy listening intently and trying to absorb all the ordinary details about your life is all the proof you need to know that he likes you.

He compromises There is literally nothing worse than a man’s ego. If your partner constantly tries to please you by compromising himself and doing things for you that he is not really the biggest fan of, consider it a good sign.

the important things in his life, you should be positive that he is serious about you.

He reaches out to you for no reason If a man calls you or texts you out of the blue, it means that he is thinking about you. What more obvious sign do you need to realize that he really loves you?

He makes you feel safe Men are overprotective by nature. If a man really has feelings for you, you will always feel safe and protected around him. He will be there for you whether to protect you or to stand by you through the toughest He puts effort and thoughts in the gifts he buys times. you You are able to tell that a man truly loves you from Finally, believe it or not, if a man really likes you the gifts he buys you. And while it doesn’t have to be and has genuine feelings for you, you would know. expensive, it is important that he buys you something Follow your gut feeling. There is nothing a man that genuinely matches your personality. That shows wouldn’t do for the girl he loves. Whether he tries how he truly knows you. to please you or protect you, a man will always express his love. All you have to do is cut him some He brings you around his family and friends Men never take a girl out to meet their friends and slack because even though he doesn’t say that he family unless they genuinely have true feelings for her. loves you out loud, he feels it and that is more than So when a man makes it a point to make you a part of enough.

14 April 2017

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At “Batimat Egypt” 2017 Orange Egypt Showcases a Wide Range of Smart City Solutions & Services

A SENSE OF HUMOR If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do, practically, anything. So the next time you meet a woman who is head over heels for a man with absolutely no outstanding characteristics other than the fact that he has a really good sense of humour, don’t be surprised.

A MAN WHO IS CONFIDENT Confidence is a characteristic that gives any man a sense of strength that most women admire and constantly search for. Women want a man who is capable of believing in himself, because it is only when he can that he is capable of believing in her too.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MAN?

A GOOD LISTENER It’s a cruel world to be living in to start with.

Which is why women need someone who is constantly there for them. Someone who would listen. Misery gets easier when shared.

A COMPATIBLE PERSONALITY Most women have learned the hard way that if the

by Nour Younis personalities don’t match, then there is just no way for the relationship to work. Women need someone who ost guys complain about women pushing is on board. They need a man who will be their biggest them to the friend zone. They claim that supporter, and if a man’s personality doesn’t match with women chase after the bad boys and theirs, then there is just no way for him be supportive. leave the nice guys behind. They even have a saying A FAITHFUL MAN about it. You know what they say “Nice boys finish In a world where divorce rates are getting higher than last”, but that is far from the truth. Women just ever before, all a woman really searches for in a man is function differently than most men would think. But loyalty. Women need a man whom they are sure will the question remains, what do women look for in a be there for them despite all odds and no matter how man? Read the following tips to know more. hard it gets.

M

A CHARMING PERSONALITY You might laugh at how trivial this one seems, but the truth is most women look for a man who knows how to charm them, and there aren’t a lot of men who actually know how to do that. It takes a certain combination of body language and good manners to impress a woman.

16 April 2017

A MAN WHO IS KIND We’re all human; we do make mistakes. This is why women look for a man who would be kind enough to forgive, because it will get hard sometimes to love one another. Only a kind man would know how to push through, forgive and love fiercely.

Orange Egypt announced its participation in “Batimat Egypt 2017”, the International Exhibition for Building & Construction Industry held at the Cairo International Conference Centre from 09 – 11 March.

The event was attended

by Eng. Ibrahim Mahlab, Presidential advisor for mega projects and infrastructure, Eng. Tarek Kabil, Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Dr. Ahmed Darwich, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone Eng. with Orange Egypt CEO Mr. Jean Marc Harion during his visit to the company’s booth at “Batimat 2017” Exhibition.

Moustafa Madbouli, Minister of Housing and Utilities, & analytics of parking vacancies in real-time.

Dr. Ahmed Darwich, Chairman of the Suez Canal Orange is expanding its deployment of services Economic Zone, Mr. Ayman Ismail, Chairman of the ranging from construction machinery monitoring, New Administrative Capital. to connecting cars, smart meter roll-outs through During the Ministers visit, Orange Egypt CEO, Jean- Internet of Things services that enable devices to Marc Harion showcased Orange latest solutions and exchange and collect data. the smart cities interactive demos.

Cloud Computing: Orange’s wide range of expertise Orange demonstrated a wide range of “Smart City” in cloud services can help customers to meet solutions and services tailored to provide integrated their business needs. This solution provides the “Smart Living” in different verticals. latest innovative service where customer can rent After acquiring the 4G services and fixed operator computing resources and capabilities of processing licenses, Orange Egypt has dedicated the Enterprises cores, memory and storage with a flexible pay for Business Unit to enrich the portfolio of services their usage. provided to big companies as well as SMEs. Orange The Big Data & Analytics solution: The process is also permanently developing new mobile and fixed of examining large data sets to uncover market communication solutions to fulfil the new business trends, customer preferences and other business needs of companies worldwide. information. The primary goal of big data analytics The solutions and services demonstrated during the is to help companies make more informed business exhibition decisions.

With the rapid growth of electricity networks, Orange Orange has one of the most relevant reference lists Smart Utilities became the optimal solutions that in developing projects in the MENA and Asia regions, mainly helps to reduce energy waste levels, provides where it designs, integrates and runs large ICT more precise & efficient grid operations and better international projects. identification of faults. The service includes electricity, On the exhibition’s opening session, Orange water and gas smart metering.

Egypt CEO, Jean-Marc Harion was part of a panel With the rising costs of energy, Orange showcased its discussing the investment opportunities in the new latest Street Lights Management Solution, a remote administrative capital. management system that will assist developers and Commenting on Orange’s participation, Jean Harion governments in having real time information of street said, “We were delighted to participate in the biggest light grids. building event in the Middle East as Orange has the The Smart Parking solutions that optimise parking advantage now of being both an operator and a space usage, improve parking operations efficiency specialized digital services’ company that supports and improve traffic flow. It enhances the utilization of digital transformation of societies, enterprises and parking spaces remotely, providing accurate information government bodies”.

April 2017 17

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Best of Instagram

6

Egyptian Men Confess What They Look for in a Woman

by Nour Younis

For years, men have talked about finding the perfect woman without ever giving us clear guidelines on what physical or personal characteristics that “perfect” woman should have. And since we regard the act of a man committing to “the one” as one of the most important decisions in life, we thought it would be a good idea to get a grasp of what men look for in women by asking them ourselves.

“The overall appearance is what attracts me at the start. Not just her hair or her gorgeous smile, but the whole package. It’s the synchronization between her smile, facial expressions and body that attracts me.

Because a girl could have the most gorgeous golden hair, but if it doesn’t go with her whole body or figure, then it doesn’t add up for much. It’s a complicated combination of things that makes us fall in love with women and if anyone tells you otherwise, then they didn’t get your question.”

life goals. Having a good sense of humour is also crucial.

I don’t like sad girls. I want someone who will bring joy into my life.”

“What first attracts me to any woman would be her beauty and physical attractiveness. I like a girl with a pretty face and a wild side, but then comes the second part which is more important. It’s how we click. I need to feel like our wavelengths match. We should share more or less the same level of intelligence, so that we would be able to have a proper conversation. I also like a girl who is real. A smart man knows when the person in front of them is being fake or real. I’m telling you, if a girl is being herself, all her imperfections would seem perfect to me. I personally don’t look for an angle, because God knows I am not one myself. I would like to be with a girl who brings out the good in me, who encourages me to do well. She has to be compassionate. But most of all, I want a girl who is capable of expressing her emotions. I can’t stand the silence; we should be able to communicate.”

“I’m attracted to smart girls who practice sports. I need to know that I’m dating a smart intelligent woman who “It’s very important for me to date a girl who is popular. has some career goals.”

I also want her to be representable and good looking.

She has to know how to dress and talk. She also has to “To start with, I would probably be attracted to her have a passion for music, because music is everything physical appearance. She doesn’t have to be perfect, to me.” but she should at least be beautiful in my own eyes. As for her character, I look for a woman who is caring and “I never thought about it much, but I’d say I want her to supportive. It’s important to me that she has her own be smart, independent and realistic.”

18 April 2017

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IT’S A (WO)MAN’S WORLD

by Nahed Kazziha

In the immortal words of James Brown “this is a man’s world” sung back in 1966, this still rings true today, even when it comes to the fashion world, a world typically seen as a women’s realm. And for good reason; out of 100 shoppers, over 60 of them are probably women or girls! The fashion industry knows it too, charging an average mark-up of 7% percent on women’s shopping items, such as shampoos, razors or jeans. Luxury retail, i.e. the likes of Saint Laurent, Gucci or Balmain, will charge women even 25% more for items similar to those of male fashionistos. This phenomenon has been lovingly dubbed “The Pink Tax”.

The Pink Tax can be justified when delving deeper into the tailoring and manufacturing process. For the most part, women are willing to spend more on fashion than men, as evidenced by the fact that the women’s fashion apparel industry is valued at $ 639 billion, a whopping 25% higher than men’s. The gap is narrowing though. Men’s shopping is growing more than women’s. Enough of your snarky comments gentlemen! You are buying more than women at this point!

It isn’t just the spending (what recession?) that is favorably skewed towards men in fashion: only 40% of womenswear brands have a woman at the helm depending on where you are in the world. In New York and London, the number is as high as 47%. In Paris, home turf of Coco Chanel, the number is an astonishing 37%. What does this all mean?

It means that men seem to know what women want.

For example, Karl Lagerfeld, who has been heading Chanel and Fendi for decades; or Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain, who exclusively dresses the Kardashians. Women are entering the workforce but are unable to reach creative director by age 35, because they are focused on family and children, a tale as old as time itself.

20 April 2017

But fear not, there are some pioneers in fashion paving the way for you to have your cake and eat it, too.

Think of Phoebe Philo, mother of 3, or better known as the designer behind Celine and largely credited for its 2012 resurrection. Philo became so indispensable to LVMH that they willingly relocated the Paris-based studio to London for her. Another prime example is Victoria Beckham, who has succeeded in building her own empire while maintaining a family. In a 2015 interview for Harper’s Bazaar, ex-Posh Spice exclaimed that “It’s a juggling act, but we have great people around to make sure it all works.”

Women are regaining control of fashion and their own clothes to participate in an ecosystem of gender parity. Not just regaining, but possibly taking over. It is only fitting when men and women alike are strutting down the same runway, during the same show, wearing each other’s clothes.

While women uncovered the secret delight of borrowing from the boys since the 1920s, men are only now jumping on the bandwagon.

So, in conclusion- it may still be “a man’s world…but it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl.”

April 2017 21

IDENTITYstyle

STYLE COMPASS

BUSINESS CASUAL What it means: You can discard your tie What to avoid: Shoes that are too casual or light denim washes What you need: Chinos or dark denim and tucked in shirt

by Nahed Kazziha

Did you ever receive an invitation that listed the dress code as “Festive”? Or maybe “Business Casual”? I have received many of those invitations throughout the years, mostly as part of professional functions. For the most part, dress codes remain a mystery for many.

Add to that self-consciousness and malaise and you have a recipe for disaster. Fear not, this is a sure fire guide to help you navigate the tricky world of dressing for the occasion.

A.P.C.

IWC Shaffhausen

CASUAL What it means: Be comfortable, but not sloppy!

What to avoid: Stained, unintentionally or overly ripped garments What you need: An iron or steamer to keep you looking tidy

Apple Watch

Isaia

Canali Persol

Anderson’s

Ralph Lauren Purple Label

Turnbull & Asser

Quoddy

22 April 2017

Boglioli McCaffrey Frame

April 2017 23

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BUSINESS FORMAL

BLACK TIE

What it means: A tie is a must What to avoid: Loafers and quirky shirts What you need: Dark coloured suit- charcoal grey wins every time

What it means: Bowtie, cufflinks and some satin What to avoid: Business formal or cocktail attire What you need: Patent finish shoes, a vest or cummerbund

Ermengildo Zegna

Lanvin

Saint Laurent

Dunhill

Mulberry

Hugo Boss Tom Ford

Dolce & Gabbana

Tom Ford

Tom Ford

Hugo Boss

24 April 2017

Tom Ford

John Lobb

Kingsman

April 2017 25

IDENTITYstyle

Closet Thief: Top 10 Men’s Items You Want

Rolex Cellini Time

by Nahed Kazziha

Givenchy

We have all been there- you are standing in front of your closet, gaping into an abyss of uninspired wardrobe. You run to your nearest port of call, usually your sister, mother or bestie for a quick fix. While that can add a much needed jolt to your stylistic heartbeat, there are other options (no, not a full blown shopping spree!). Try on some menswear for size. Why not draw inspiration from your father, brother or son for your next sartorial adventure? Here is a list of the top 10 picks borrowed from your boys that you never even knew you craved.

THE LETTERMAN JACKET Who cares if you were not on a varsity sports team?

What is important is that your guy was and that he kept his jacket.

THE SCARF Add that extra bit of edge or class with a masculine scarf.

Use a traditional silk-wool blend to add some polish, or a quirky silk handkerchief for added hipster appeal.

Paul Smith

THE WATCH Did somebody say heirloom?

Watches are by far among the most coveted jewels that you can score, not to mention the sentimental value of wearing your Giddo’s first Omega.

THE TIE A legal noose for most men, you can channel androgyny icons such as Diane Keaton and add a tie to your outfit for some additional shock factor.

(Powerposing not included!)

THE PANAMA HAT You don’t have to be on vacay in the Caribbean to wear a hat.

Try taking this out for a spin to spare that beautiful face of yours from the fierce sun rays.

Alexander McQueen

Loro Piana

Etro Adidas Thom Sweeney

THE SHIRT Crisp and baggy, just the way you like it. Tuck it into your trousers, or don’t even bother to button it up and turn it into a wraparound instead.

26 April 2017

THE CARDIGAN Snug on your man, but perfectly relaxed on you.

Grab a lightweight cardi to stave off the cool breeze.

Bonus points if you use a ladylike accessory to belt it.

Sunspel

THE BOXER SHORTS Sometimes our girly nightwear can get the best of us. Lace gets frayed, silk rides up and that tank top is just too constricting.

Get yourself a boxer and tee combo for the win.

James Perse

THE WHITE TEE The so-called boyfriend tee is really just a man’s muscle T-shirt taken out of context. Correction, repurposed for a woman with athleisurely tendencies.

THE SWEATS The essential item to nailing lounge apropos. Comfy and cozy for those days you want to laze around the house or run a quick errand.

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Credits: Kojak Studio

IDENTITYstyle

EGYPT’S TRENDIEST MALE FASHION DESIGNERS

by Nour Younis

The fashion world has been receiving a lot of attention during the past decade.

However, it seems that the male’s role in it remains greatly undermined. We spend a lot of time admiring the beautiful models sashaying the catwalk wearing masterpieces, that we often forget to notice the people behind all the magic and beauty. It’s a shame since some of the best fashion designers in Egypt are actually men. So, in a world where we are constantly seeking equality for both men and women, it is only fair that we acknowledge men’s part in what we can call the newly revolutionized fashion world. Below is a list of fashion designers who are leaving their distinct footprints in Egypt’s fashion world: Rafik Zaki is literally bringing feminine back to life with his beautiful attires that really compliment women and give them the feminine look that we have long forgotten.

Zaki graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and International Business from Modern Sciences and Arts University, yet he didn’t feel fully satisfied with his education. Shortly after that, Rafik travelled to Milan to follow his passion where he enrolled in an intensive course in pattern making.

Cairo. His designs are especially known for being different. Kojak definitely knows how to make a girl stand out. His designs are what we can truly call ‘out of the box’ designs. In a world where fashion designers succeed by imitating each other, Kojak gives us hope that fashion could still be revolutionized.

Ahmed Nabil has been making women and girls look and feel beautiful for a while now. Nabil is the owner and founder of Nob Designs. His pieces are all about Mohanad Kojak started his fashion journey at a very creating an edge for girls. If you’re looking for a fashion young age. He started designing while he was still designer who would give you the wild look you have studying Applied Arts at the German University in been craving, Ahmed Nabil is the one for you.

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Ahmed Azzam started his journey when he launched his first Geometrical Basic Women Bags collection in June 2012, only to end up launching ZAAM, a brand of complementary leather clutches and handbags. ZAAM’s designs are known for having a touch of vintage, a luxe appeal and an urban aesthetic style.

Hisham Aboul Ela, unlike most of the other designers mentioned above, has been around in the fashion world for more than 11 years. His Valentina Boutique in Mohandiseen is constantly flooded with celebrities such as the likes of Mai Ezz El-Deen.

label. Both designers strive to create what can only be described as elegant and progressive jewelry and handbags. Their aim is to utilize and benefit from local artisans and to create masterpieces that are worthy of being marketed and retailed internationally, hoping that they could help bring more Egyptian designers in the front line of international fashion.

Ahmed Saédi Alexandria born, Ahmed Saedi started taking interest in dress making at the young age of 12 where he was helping his mother make outfits for herself and her sisters. Later in 2011, Saedi took the risk and decided to tap into the fashion industry where he launched his own brand formerly known as Plush Maison Haute Couture, and which is now known as Maison Saedi. However, Ahmed Saedi’s designs are not only limited to custom made dresses, but he also manages to produce two jewellery and accessories collections every year.

Amr Saad started off with showcasing his handmade sunglasses that came off as a great success. From Florence to Cairo, it was no surprise that Amr’s eyewear designs would reach such great levels of success since he got his skills from the core heritage of Florence’s schools and workshops. Amr aims to disrupt the jewellery scene in not only Egypt, but the whole of MENA where he is constantly introducing new Finally, we hope you have enjoyed our walking tour products and designs that are not only functional, but through some of Egypt’s top fashion designers. It artistic too. gives us great pride to know that men are breaking stereotypes and getting out there to follow their Sabry and Marouf are two designers who are heading, passion even though, it might not really conform to Sabry Marouf, a jewelry and fashion accessories design what the Egyptian people and society deem fitting.

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AMR YOUSSEF the most talked about groom

Shirt, Jeans, and Shoes: Maison 69 - Jacket:Ted Baker

IDENTITYamryoussef

Young prominent Egyptian actor, Amr Youssef, known for his ridiculously good looks and his famous roles in the TV shows “Grand Hotel” and “Niran Sadika” among other movies such as “Hepta” and “Welad Rizk” spoke to Identity about his life, his little quirks, his upcoming projects for the year 2017 and how it all started. For more details, read the full interview!

Photographer: YOUSSRA FAWZY, Stylist: YOUMNA MOUSTAFA, Production Manager: SARA HANI, Outfits: TED BAKER - MAISON 69

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Shirt, and Jeans: Maison 69 - Jacket:Ted Baker

IDENTITYamryoussef

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IDENTITYamryoussef

workaholic trait from Nour El-Sherif. He was such a role model. He used to really love his work. He would show up on time and do his work the best way that he could, even though he didn’t really have to. He definitely set an inspiring example to all of us, and I’ve learned a I was always passionate about acting, but you know lot from him. how our culture is. Everyone kept telling me that I should get a degree that would secure me a prestigious You’ve acted along with Kinda Alloush in different job, so I decided to study International law at the movies and TV shows like for instance “Niran Sadika”, University of Cairo. It was a prestigious school which when did you know that Kinda is going to be your had just recently opened. However, my passion for future wife? And how did your relationship start? acting increased while I was still in college. I started working and focusing more on my career and less There was no big story. We didn’t meet and click right on my degree, and that’s when my parents realized away. Instead, it was a relationship that developed how dedicated and passionate I was about acting and gradually. We worked together a lot and became really started to support me and encourage me. good friends; our relationship gradually developed into marriage.

Other than acting, what does Amr Youssef, the person, enjoy doing? What is a typical day in the life of In the movie “Welad Rizk”, we’ve seen you in a Amr Youssef? different role than the ones we are normally used to, the role of the rebellious Rabea. How would you Recently, I’ve been so focused on my work that there say that this role affected your work and your future isn’t much time to pursue anything else. However, I’ve plans especially since it was very different from your always been a big fan of travelling, so every now and other roles where you are pictured as “the good then I try to get away to a new place. looking gentleman”?

What are a few characteristics that you would say I believe that it’s every actor’s goal to bring diversity to you dislike about yourself and would want to change? the roles he plays. Luckily, I’ve been able to do that in the past year where I’ve managed to play a romantic Well, I’m a workaholic. I’m always working and I barely role in Hepta, a comedy role in “Kedbet Kol Yom” and have enough time to focus on other important things the rebellious “Rabea” in “Welad Rizk, not to mention like family and personal life. However, I have recently my role in the TV show “Grand Hotel”. In general, the started to work on that, and bit by bit, I’m starting to year 2016 has been really good to me and I believe that tackle this issue and learn how to prioritize. I also used it helped me achieve the diversity I needed in my career. to be very short tempered and it used to affect my work a lot, but luckily, I’ve managed to get rid of this You’ve had your fair share of successful movies and nasty habit for good.

TV Series, what would you say you prefer doing more a TV show or a movie and why?

One of your first acting roles was in the TV Series “El-Dally” with the famous late actor Nour El-Sherif. Of course, I love doing both but I think that filming How would you describe your experience working movies is every actor’s main passion. with him? And would you say that he has influenced you in anyway?

Chemise, Jeans, and Shoes: Ted Baker

We know for a fact that you’re a law graduate, would you care to tell us why you chose to study that major?

Why the sudden shift to a totally different career path like acting, and how did your parents react?

Of course he has influenced me. It’s safe to say that he has influenced this whole generation. I think I get my

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Shirt and Trousers: Maison 69 36 April 2017

Shirt. Scarf, Trousers, and Shoes: Maison 69

IDENTITYamryoussef

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IDENTITYamryoussef

Out of all the roles that you played, which character did you play that you feel resembles real life Amr Youssef, and which character do you regard dearest to you?

Pullover, Trousers, and Shoes: Maison 69

I don’t think that I have ever played any roles that resembled the real me or were a lot like who I am. I also don’t have favourites. I love all the roles I’ve played. I believe that it’s impossible for an actor to play a role unless they’ve truly fell in love with the character they’re playing. When I play a character, I learn to see things from his own perspective, so it automatically makes me love him and regard him as a good character. Like for instance, I didn’t perceive Rabea in Welad Rizk as a rebel or an evil character because I allowed myself to see things from his own perspective.

In Rabea’s eyes, he wasn’t evil or doing anything wrong and that is exactly how he was to me.

Finally, we wanted to end the interview by asking you if are working on any current projects, and if you could tell us more about what to expect?

Yes, I’m currently working on a TV show called “Nokta w Men Awl El-Satr” for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan month.

Unfortunately, I can’t give out any details just yet.

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IDENTITYinterviews

Egyptian Male Travellers Share Their Stories with Us

by Nour Younis

I

t is often said that travelling is the realization that you might have been born in the wrong country. We personally couldn’t agree more with that saying. Travelling is just one of those few things that are capable of changing your life and opening your eyes to the real world as it truly is. And since we don’t know enough about the topic to be giving advice, we thought we’d ask the experts about the reason they travel, what they feel when they do, and what stories they would like to share.

visas, other countries will open their arms for you.

Abdullah wishes to give space a visit and believes that if you really want something, you must work hard for it and never let it go out of your sight. “Just remember nothing is easy. You can’t have everything in life, focus!

an entrepreneur about his startup. You can’t really pull them apart, figuratively.

and pursue more of them. Travel wasn’t just a school of learning, a lifestyle of gateways or discovery of cultures and places; it was a sweet vow. It was the soothing Travel is a state of being present fully at a moment you’re promise that would liberate you from the ordinary and aware of with all your senses, all your being. Every feeling set your potentials free. is challenged so that you could genuinely grow and feel it. You lose yourself into thinking there are too many I owe each and every life lesson to travel memories, people out there and you find it when your identity is ones that sculpture your character and ones that shape shown.You, and only you, attend to the smallest details of you into who you become. the trip because you’re there at this moment.

I don’t have an inspiring travel story or an extreme I collect these moments and that’s my measure of encounter to share, but the fact that these moments keeping track of my trips. How present I was on a lead to quitting a corporate career to find more of moment of a sunrise on a bay at the end of the Atlantic? myself within these revelations and that in its essence Or how indulged I was in a challenging trek over the inspired many. rocks of a volcano?

My aspiration, the one I’m trying to deliver and would I may have visited over a 100 cities in different encourage others to share, is to take that breath; to continents, but I do remember each one because the be present on such life moments. These breaths would moments I recall are far more. They’re my memory and give your minds wings and take you away, as far deeper they reside in the conscious of being at these specific into yourself and as beyond clear into your being. And moments. this is your reward; a full boosted set of senses and an elevated you, one that no one would deprecate or I visualize an interactive globe in my mind from such belittle. At the end of the day, you’ve seen so much, memories; I draw geography terrains where I’ve seen you know too much and you’ve been exposed to much and walked. more. At the end of the day, you’re invincible.

There, where moments connect and create a beautiful reminiscent movie to muse over so that travel would have engaged all your functions and soaked all your being.

I believe we all, as humans, deserve the treatment and the collective immersions of travel. I believe we should all experience and live as much liberated, diversified and peaceful in each other’s cultures. Share a hopeful message of love. Accept the fact that our differences This feeling of living in those moments and the desire define us and make us who we are. It’s also what unites to collect more of them were my leadfoot to chase us.

Luckily enough, when we caught up with Abdullah he was on a trip to Central America. He says, “I loved Costa Rica with all my heart and had a great time there, but the culture is not that helpful to others. No one waits for you to cross the street; hitchhiking there is also nearly impossible. However, it’s a great place Abdullah El-Shamy full of lots of amazing tropical beaches. Pura Vida my friends, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart and Abdullah is a 23 year old Egyptian who’s on his way to I’m willing to help anyone. Traveling isn’t easy and not all travelling the entire world. He already visited 204 cities of it is what you see in the pictures, but you still learn a in more than 65 countries. Abdullah spent all 5 years lot and build who you are.” of university working in the tourism field and ended up having his own startup; he worked several jobs on George Farid the way to support his trips and save money for the trip he called an open date trip. He is now heading When it comes to travel, I fairly consider it as a topic to to Colombia in South America, and is really excited discuss rather than a state of being, an occurrence or a because the country came highly recommended. condition.

Abdullah is only travelling with an Egyptian passport and explained that if you have the Schengen and US It’s like asking a pregnant woman about her infant or

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IDENTITYinterviews to the greatest number of countries for the lowest budget possible. That policy works for me because I believe that in order to really get to know or explore any country, you have to spend at least 3 weeks or one month in that country, and that would be obviously impossible if you don’t travel on a budget. You’ll spend most of the money on hotels and luxury transportation but if you travel on a tight budget, you get to arrange everything by yourself with the least costs possible. You rely on public transportation, host families or cheap student dorms. You can also use couch surfing and find locals who are willing to host you for no money at all which could be a great idea because it allows you to really get to know the people and experience their cultures and habits yourself. I also do a lot of hitchhiking and whenever I am unable to hitchhike, I walk up to 20 kilometres. However, 90% of the times hitchhiking works!

So book that ticket, get to the other side, walk that mile, free that mind and those places for myself. take that breath. Accept the other, feel their struggles and live their life. Drink the cultures, eat from God’s varied creations and gaze into horizons and By 2016, I had already taken the decision to travel abroad. I sold my car to save on gas and maintenance spectrums. fees. I started using public transportation and leaving And in all of these, be present and awaken your senses. the luxurious life that I was used to behind. I literally Wander on that trip, make that memory and take that started saving on every penny. I stopped going to restaurants and cafes, because they were no longer as breath. Travel. important as travelling. The first time I travelled abroad was on my birthday, 22nd of May 2016. I was very lucky Mohamed El-Sayed that Georgia was my first country to visit because its “My story with travelling started in 2012 inside Egypt people are very nice and respectable and the nature when I first bought my car. I was curious to take it and is very beautiful. Georgia will always be my favourite explore Egypt, not to mention that my exploration country; it still is. I’ve already visited 4 times since I first cruises resulted in me crossing 60,000kms with my car got back from there. in only 8 months. It was very serious. One day I’d be going to a café and find myself changing my route and The second country I visited was Tanzania, and that going to Dahab or Saint Catherine. I remember I was was one of the craziest decisions I’ve ever made. I was especially amazed by Fijord Bay in Nubei! During my surfing the internet and I found a very cheap ticket short travels in Egypt, I came to realize my fascination on Skyscanner so I booked it 11:00 am, packed my with nature and solitude. I liked beautiful places that bags and travelled at 7:00 pm that same day. I did the didn’t have a lot of tourists and I started searching for same for most of the countries I’ve visited afterwards. similar places. After I explored almost every place in In Tanzania, I visited the jungle and forests and got to Egypt, I felt the need to explore beyond my country see how people were living in simple huts. I was even borders, so I started googling different places abroad lucky enough to spend two full days with them. I also and getting hooked on countries with beautiful visited Jordon, Lebanon and Russia afterwards. After waterfalls, mountains, valleys, beaches and diverse Russia’s trip, I decided that it was time to enhance people. I wanted to know more about the different my travelling style, so I started adopting the lowest cultures in the world, and it frustrated me that I was budget backpacking technique to travel, meaning that stuck in my own bubble unable to explore and see I decided that I needed to travel for the longest time 42 April 2017

As for the food and drinks, I eat street food like any local person. It all depends on investing your money in the right place. For example, instead of spending 50$ on something useless like a souvenir or riding an elephant where I’m only going to feel satisfied for an hour or two, I choose to use that money to extend my stay in this country for 5 extra days and do free things like snorkelling. There are some crucial things where you can never budget like for example taking all the necessary vaccinations, medications and precautions, and these differ from one country to the other. The most important thing while travelling for me is to remain healthy to be able to move around, explore and

enjoy it as I please. The bottom line is, I try as much as I can to invest my money where it matters. What people would spend in a week, I try to survive with for a month.

When I was in India, I spent 26 days while only spending 190$ for food, beverages, transportation and accommodation. As for Thailand, I only spent 227$ in 21 days including all that I’ve mentioned before along with beach activities, and an airplane ticket from Bangkok to Phuket.

Finally, I would like to add that I’m very curious about all the countries of the world, and I dream of the day where I will have visited the whole world. I’m passionate about everything that this world offers; the cultures, the people, the nature and monuments. The main reason I started my Facebook page was to introduce people to the concept of travelling and how it’s not as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. I want to show people that there are a million ways a person could travel, and that you could travel and have fun with whatever money you have. I want people to know that when they travel, they meet different people and encounter different incidents and situations that benefit them in ways they would have never faced had they not travelled or stayed in the same place for the rest of their lives. We should work more on making people more culturally aware of the benefits of travelling, because travelling is the only way we could learn and develop ourselves.

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IDENTITYinterviews

The Two Genius Men behind Ballerinas of Cairo

by Farah Khedre

I

n a country like Egypt where freedom isn’t easily exercised, artists strive harder to be heard. Two Egyptian photographers, Mohamed Taher and Ahmed Fathy, have recently launched their one of a kind project, Ballerinas of Cairo, and it does more than break boundaries. The project combines three art forms: photography, ballet and architecture. Taher and Fathy aim to reveal a side of Cairo that goes unnoticed all through their project. They are both filmmakers who are passionate about photography and on their way to reclaim freedom and public spaces for women.

Your project is inspired by Dane Shitagi’s Ballerinas We need people to start accepting any kind of art Project in New York, but we have to ask, why performance on our streets. Our streets are dull with ballerinas? Why not dancers in general? hidden beauty that we ignore because we don’t take a moment to just look around. But art in the streets can We chose ballerinas because we thought ballet is revive this beauty and make people stop for a second the most sentimental and gentle dance of all. Ballet is and appreciate it. The main challenge was to make the kind of dancing that is so smooth and therefore people get used to seeing us shooting and filming on effortlessly emphasizes on the contrast between the the streets and create an awareness for our art. elegance of the art of ballet and the rough looking streets of Cairo with its unique architecture. This soft Will women finally “reclaim the streets of Cairo”? and hard combination crafts a unique storytelling that we hope would communicate a new perspective of We really hope so! Sometimes when we’re shooting, Cairo to the people. We want to highlight the depth we want to avoid a street because it’s crowded and we of Cairo’s culture and texture through mirroring the worry about the girls’ safety, but the ballerinas insist on harshness of it all with the softness of every ballet shooting in it. We hope that this kind of attitude and move. perseverance will reflect in their lives as a whole and make other people change their beliefs and understand What was the hardest challenge so far throughout that women should be free to do whatever they want, your journey to make this project happen? wherever they want. Many people are saying that this project gives women in Egypt hope and also reclaims The hardest challenge was making what we do turn some of the beauty that has long vanished from the into something “normal”. Girls in Egypt find it hard to Egyptian streets, and we’re very glad to hear that. walk the streets without people staring, let alone dance.

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What’s the process you usually go through when happiness to the community and promoting a “different choosing a new shooting location?

Cairo”. At first, we didn’t start the project for touristic purposes, however, now that we’ve seen people’s There is no certain process. Whenever a place comes to reactions, we see a multitude of objectives for the our mind, we just go for it. We then choose the clothes project and hope to be able to explore every one of that are most suitable for the place we’re shooting in them. And of course, we always love to make shoots and that’s it. But it’s always exciting to explore new and videos solely for touristic reasons. locations or even new cities, as we recently did in Aswan.

Do you usually focus more on the setting or the discipline and technique of ballet while capturing the Did you face any physical or verbal harassment photos? incidents while shooting?

We focus on both so they would complement each We get a lot of looks that scream “this is wrong” or other. We like to describe our project as “Walks of Life” “why is she wearing that?” but, aside from the looks as in that each photograph within the project conveys of disapproval, we didn’t face any physical harassment. the dancer’s life story portrayed through her dance On the other hand, when someone catcalls any of technique, emotion, the costume, and the craft of her the ballerinas, the ballerinas themselves would actually pose to the camera, the onlooker, the venue and the speak up and immediately fight back. People would surrounding scenery. suddenly get shocked of their bravery, as if they’re not expecting them to talk back. But the more harassment Since you started the Ballerinas of Cairo Project, do we face, the more we will be driven to go through you find yourselves studying the art of ballet itself in with our vision because, at the end of the day, this is order to get your pictures just right? what we strive to achieve from the project. We want to normalize dancing in the streets.

Of course we do. We’ve been reading about the art of ballet and watching as many performances as we can What are your project’s plans of expansion and to understand it better. The ballerinas are also guiding branching out to other cities in Egypt? us through and helping us learn the art. When the project started, they sometimes used to tell us to go We plan to expand in Egypt. We started with Aswan for another take, as the pose is not right. Now, we go and are planning on branching out to Alexandria next. for the second take without them pointing out anything Yet, we are really hoping to find a special edition for if we saw that the pose is not right. We simply became each city rise from the people in the city itself. more well informed about ballet!

How many ballerinas are currently involved in the What are your plans for the future? project? And how do you usually go about contacting more?

We hope to expand in Egypt, increase the number of the ballerinas, make one big photography exhibition So far, there are 12 ballerinas involved. We usually ask that features our favourite photographs, both published around about new ballerinas and once we find good and unpublished, and make dance videos as music clips. dancers, we welcome them on board. Some ballerinas also contact us and when that happens, we’re always happy for the opportunity to shoot more Cairean ballerinas. Soon, we plan on shooting with some Alexandria based ballerinas as we have been receiving many request forms from them as well.

Do you think your project could help revive tourism in Egypt?

The project has different layers such as exploring new places that have the potential to be hugely touristic, creating a pool of artists for the project, empowering the ballerinas, giving a glimpse of

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IDENTITYinterviews

MOHAMED EL-HELW

and his Journey of Self-discovery

by Nour Younis

Mohamed El-Helw, author of Rehlet El-Elm Men El-El7ad Ela El-Eman (The Trip of Science from Atheism to Belief), quit his prestigious job in Geneva, Switzerland, then endured a very rough patch for more than 10 years, all in the pursuit of going the extra mile and finding an answer to the question of the existence of God. Within 10 days of publishing, his book had became a Best Seller at Cairo Book Fair. For more details about the author and his controversial book, Identity spoke to Mohamed El-Helw about his background, his career and his inspiration.

religious beliefs in addition to Atheists, my eagerness to understand “Existence” and its “Origin” in a scientific way, not merely relying on the beliefs of my parents.

For more than ten years, beginning in 2002, I studied all sciences talking about Existence, and its different levels, including Cosmology, Quantum Physics, Astro-Physics, Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Biology, and Evolution. I studied the Six Great Religions of the World, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; all from a scientific perspective. At one stage, I discovered I succeeded to put the pieces of the puzzle together, seeing the integral truth. That was when the idea of the book came to me.

Before we dig into any details about your book, we What do you believe is the problem with the world would like get to know Mohamed El-Helw, the author. today, and why do you think there is still confusion Tell us about yourself? when it comes to the idea of God? I am a graduate of the American University in Cairo with a degree in Political Science and Economics. After I graduated, I started working as a commodity trader with Cargill, the biggest commodity trading company in the world, where I was able to grow fast, reaching a high position in Geneva, by the age of 29.

The real problem is that the word “God” does not mean the same thing to all people. This simple observation is at the heart of the biggest misconception in History.

When many scientists in the West rejected the notion of God, they rejected, and rightly did so, the God long defined by their ancestors, as an entity separate from nature. This is how Atheism started and is being Your book tackles a very controversial issue as it passed on for few centuries now. It is very cultural at presents a scientific proof for the existence of God, the foundation. Unfortunately, they ignore that the very what inspired you with the idea? same word “God” means just the opposite in other parts of the World, where nature is defined as nothing My trip in life, my international exposure to different but the manifestation of God. cultures, my discussions with people with different Within the Arab World, the most alarming problem 46 April 2017

today concerns the young generations. Their position at the intersection of both Western and Eastern Cultures exposes them to great confusion. In one direction, we talk to them about God in stereotyped and non-scientific ways. In the opposite direction, their international schools teach them Darwinism instructing them that “Nature”, not God, is the creator of species.

The book clarifies all such misconceptions, while also exposing the relevance of the recent correction of Darwinism by Darwinists themselves.

some cultures nonconceptually led to atheism.

When you try to break from the chains of what has been taught to you as a kid and to explore more within the vast world of science and religions, there is no doubt that you will face times with doubts about the existence of God.. So yes, there were times when I doubted the existence of God, but the process that I have endured and the information I have collected proved to me the existence of “One Single Source” at the origin of all that there is in the universe today. This is God.

Well when I was first writing the book, I was concerned about saying all there is to say without thinking of the consequences and how the restricted culture we live in might not allow it. But to my surprise, I’ve actually received a lot of great feedback from all kinds of people cherishing supposedly conflicting beliefs, and disbeliefs.

This I consider a success, and a milestone for a new era of spiritual unity.

One of your book’s biggest strengths is that it targets readers from all ages and religions, how did you manage to do that?

I’m always looking for the truth in its naked form, so I wasn’t biased to anyone. I didn’t want to prove that one religion or one side is the right one. I wanted the truth. I’m a human who belongs to humanity and I’m aware that there are people on the other side of the When did you know that you were writing a book world who could be much kinder and better humans for the world to see? than the ones I live with. My aim was to help people reach the ultimate truth.

My approach to connect the scientific facts discovered by different sciences like Cosmology, Quantum Physics, What is the purpose of writing your book, and what Chemistry, Biology, and Evolution together, forming do you hope for the readers to get out of it? one comprehensive picture for the story of creation as told by science was a real breakthrough. This is what I hope that it would give people their peace of mind enabled me to discover the spiritual meanings in the and that it would answer all their questions on a scientific facts, and show that science and religions are personal level. I hope it could help them find their saying similar things in different languages! Another big true spiritual identity, freeing themselves from the surprise is that the book unites the Six Great Religions materialistic system imprisoning most people today. of the World around One clear and integral scientific On the international level, I hope my book could also picture. It was when I saw this big picture myself, when make a difference. If the different civilizations could I realized I have something the world should definitely understand the bigger picture, and unite around it, they see. would definitely realize how mediocre our political differences are.

As Mohamed El-Helw, the person, would you say that you’ve ever had any doubts about the existence of What did you find most challenging about writing God? your book, and how did you overcome it?

Are you working on any other projects? What are other future plans do you There are a lot of other books that have already have? discussed the issue of faith and atheism. What do you believe gives your book an edge over the other books? There are a lot of other projects that I have came The book breaks the barriers between the different across when I was working sciences, and connects them in a way that has not been on this book but, I’m not done before. It is a true revolution. It’s also revolutionary planning on starting anything in the way the subject of God’s existence was handled. new right now. I first want to It’s unique in the way it gives one comprehensive concentrate on this book and answer to all people from all backgrounds including to make sure that it reaches atheists themselves, and in the way it explains how the whole world.

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IDENTITYmen

Leading Egyptian Men in the Film Industry

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2

by Farah Khedre

A long time ago, Egypt took the accelerated train to the land of bad movies and remained a resident for years. Lately, however, Egypt has been making a comeback and slowly gathering its people to catch the train back home. Every few years, we would have a maximum of two or three movies that are actually good and worth watching. But, good movies and series are now continuously growing in numbers.

There are many directors and actors that have amazing potential to revolutionize the film industry in Egypt and are doing just that. Let’s watch their movies!

Diab 1.Mohamed The man who directed a movie that made history

before it was even screened; Mohamad Diab is an award-winning director as well as writer whose work mainly tackles pressing issues in the Egyptian society.

People often discuss how life imitates art but in Diab’s case, his art always imitates life. He imitates life through his art in a way that makes us see the bigger picture.

The New York Times dubbed his directorial debut film “678”, as a harbinger of the January 25th revolution.

His second film “Clash” opened “Un Certain Regard” at the 2016 Festival de Cannes, marking the return of Egyptian cinema to the section since “After the Battle” by Yousry Nasrallah in 2012. Mohamed Diab’s vision is unparalleled in the Egyptian film industry, and the stories he tells are of prominence and relevance like never before. Tom Hanks sent Diab a signed letter explaining to him that his movie “had the capacity to change the Western world’s typical vision of Egyptians”.

He is not mistaken.

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2.

Amr Salama Egyptian filmmaker and author Amr Salama is best known for the heart wrenching “Asmaa”, somber “On a Day Like Today” and sharp humoured “Excuse My French”. “Asmaa” was screened in the 2012 Palm Springs Film Festival, which featured a section called “Arabian Nights” highlighting recent Arabian cinema.

“Asmaa” was a piercing drama about the issue of AIDS in the Arab world and the widespread stigma that is associated with HIV-positive victims. His movie “Excuse My French” tackled sensitive cultural topics such as religion while being disguised as a family comedy.

Critics enthusiastically received “Excuse My French”, because it was a movie that centers on the “other” unlike many other Egyptian movies. The film unfolds the story of a Christian boy who enrolls in a Muslim school and has to keep his identity hidden in order to avoid discrimination. The journey of making this movie a reality wasn’t easy, and Salama had to struggle for four years with censorship before he was even allowed to begin shooting.

3.

Sherif El-Bendary EL-Bendary is an Egyptian filmmaker who graduated from the faculty of Applied Arts in 2001, then pursued his studies in film directing at the High Institute of Cinema in Cairo. His first short fiction film “Good Morning” produced in 2006 achieved great success where it was selected in more than 75

film festivals in 33 countries and won 15 awards. His second short film and his graduation project, “In the Afternoon” also received a lot of applaud where it was, also selected in more than 50 film festivals and won 14 awards, making him one of the youngest film makers with the biggest potential in the film industry in Egypt, and allowing him to grow rapidly in the film industry where he shortly after directed other movies such as On the Way to Downtown”, “Ali Meaza and Ibrahim” and “Hot and Dry During the Summer” and successful TV series like “Women’s Prison” Karim Fanous 4.

Egypt isn’t a country that’s big on indie movies.

After graduating with a degree in Economics,

filmmaker Karim Fanous changed paths and made his directorial debut with the short film “Where To?” which hit international film festivals back in 2006.

Fanous may have picked the wrong college major, but he didn’t let that stop him from perusing his passion afterwards. He finished a one-year program at the New York Film Academy, where he studied the bases of cinematography. “Where To?” was his thesis film and tells the story of two Egyptian men, Aly and Hussein who have immigrated to the United States. One is an

old cab driver who dreams of returning home and the other young, eager and just moved to New York to live the American dream. The film centres on the conversation between the two characters during the ride from the airport. Every single Egyptian on the planet could relate to this story, because all of us think that the grass is always greener on the other side. He also worked on a beautifully shot indie movie called “Dirty Hands, Clean Soap” which was screened at Darb 1718.

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IDENTITYmen

WHO ARE THE FUNNIEST EGYPTIAN GUYS?

TAMEEM YOUNESS Tameem Youness, one of Egypt’s most successful young advertisers is the king of random, witty and on point humour. His YouTube show Raseeni has become an Internet sensation that we can’t wait to tune to whenever there’s a new episode.

He tackles unorthodox issues that are relevant to the Egyptian culture in the most obscene and unordinary way. From discussing drugs, vampires and giving us tips on how to be cool, to interviewing the devil in order to set things straight once and for all because the Egyptian pop culture has portrayed the devil in some weird ways so far and that sure brought us many questions. No one can deny that Youness’s schedule must be pretty busy, but somehow he never fails to bring hilarity into our lives in the most unexpected of ways.

by Farah Khedre

In a country that lacks so many fundamentals, the scales had to balance themselves out somehow. Egyptians were granted a superpower that makes up for the economical and political chaos that could surely devastate us at a moment’s notice.

We were granted an unparalleled epic sense of humour that keeps us going during even the darkest and gloomiest of days. Throughout time, there were many hilarious Egyptian men who stood out from the clutter and succeeded to put a smile on our faces, against all odds. From Ismail Yassin, Samir Ghanem to Adel Imam and Younis Shalaby, humour has always been Egyptians’ strongest suit.

We wanted to pay homage to this generation’s funniest guys. Some of them are new faces that were recently introduced to the humour scene, while others have managed to hold onto their place for many successive years.

MOHAMED HENEDY I know what you’re thinking. Mohamed Henedy?

Really? Is he still relevant? Aren’t his days of hilarity long past us now? The undiluted answer is yes and no. Henedy’s glory days of making funny movies that rank high on all charts might be a thing of the past, but recently he has taken his love for laughter and comedy to Twitter and we realized that we’re still as loyal to the comedian legend as ever.

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MARWAN YOUNIS The Creative Director of FP7, Marwan Younis expresses how millions of Egyptians feel on a dayto-day basis through gritty wit. It all started when the infamous Shaymaa asked Leonardo DiCaprio the question that left us all in awe: Whatsapouts your first Oscars for you? This was the day that marked Younis’s first video that quickly became viral due to its genuine and hilarious message. He might not have intended for the video to be funny as it’s a short video of him mostly ranting, but it was insightful and successfully conveyed what all Egyptians were thinking at the moment.

ESLAM HOSSAM A Senior Copywriter at J. Walter Thompson, Eslam Hossam spends his free time making funny videos and posting them on Facebook. Aside from videos on Facebook, his statuses and tweets are just as hilarious and pertinent. He is literally all over the place with his arbitrariness and his eerie gift for simple humour. He goes from embodying a spoiled rich kid to impersonating a Khaleeji show host in less than a second. Hossam’s epicness is highly underrated, mostly due to the fact that his comedy and absurdity foreshadow Egypt’s state. In a few years, we will look back at his videos and gasp at his ability to predict the unforeseeable future.

AHMED HELMY Surely Ahmad Helmy had to make this list, as he is by far one of our generation’s funniest Egyptian actors.

His enthusiasm, down-to-earth charm and ridiculous facial expressions make him a one-of-a-kind comedian in the showbiz industry. Helmy established a persona for himself that goes beyond entertaining us. If there’s a new Ahmed Helmy movie coming up, we all find ourselves tuning in to make sure we don’t miss it, no matter what the movie is about. This, in my opinion, is what all entertainers strive to achieve.

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IDENTITYmen

WHAT DO MEN JUDGE OTHER MEN BY?

by Farah Khedre

52 April 2017

We

all know how men perceive women when they first meet them. They scan their bodies, face and how they dress and upon their scanning, they judge whether this woman is their type or not. But what about how men judge other men? They don’t judge each other in the same way they judge women.

People always talk about how women perceive other women and that there’s always a hint of jealousy in the way they deal with each other, but not enough people talk about how men perceive other men and what aspects do they judge each other by. We decided to activate our detective mode and brought you answers; turns out that men judge other men based on these 7 aspects.

and ends up annoying everyone around him because he’s drunk. Also, if a guy prefers the drinks that aren’t The bro code is sacred, and if one guy breaks even as purist because they’re delicious, they will ask him to one of its laws, then this guy is doomed. That’s because stop being a “girl”. guys take their bro code very seriously and will do their best to uphold all of the bros codes. “The bro life is like being in Jedi training camp. You must always show 5- By how they dress your bro love and be joyous when bro love is shown to you”. If you want to know more about the bro code, Some would think that this is a 100% girl’s thing, but then I suggest you read Barney Stinson’s edition. the truth is it’s not. Men have a rule when it comes to clothes and it’s that a guy should never be wearing 2- By who they’re dating tighter jeans than his girlfriend’s. No man wants to see the outline of another man’s torso and would Men will always subconsciously judge another man appreciate it if they were spared that image. based on whom he’s dating. For instance, if a friend is dating a girl that is hotter than him, other men will 6- By Getting married late/young or never getting immediately think he should count his stars and be married proud of him for picking a girl who isn’t shallow. Another example is if a guy is dating a girl with no obvious good It’s no secret that marriage is a scary concept, but for qualities other than good looks, they will judge him as some reason, it’s scarier for the majority of guys more a shallow misogynist whose self esteem doesn’t extend than it is for girls. When a guy gets married young, beyond the superficial. his friends will think that his actions are completely unfounded and that their friend must be genuinely 3- By their ability to pick up women idiotic for deciding to commit to someone for the rest of his life at such a young age, without yet having Picking up women is an art that not every guy will be experienced enough. A guy who never gets married able to master, as not every guy in every group will be may feel lonely sometimes, but his friends will always tell a master seducer. And while men do their best to help him that he did the right thing for enjoying life without each other’s self esteem when it comes to the ladies, the burden of responsibilities weighing him down. internally they will judge a man based on his ability to pick up women. If he strikes out every time he tries, 7- By their looks they won’t make fun of him but they will secretly judge him.

If one guy thinks another guy is good looking or handsome, it’s an ‘observation’ rather than a ‘judgment’, 4- By their alcohol or drugs tolerance but if a guy thinks another guy is good looking in a girly way, then that would be judgment. I know it sounds For men, a high alcohol or drugs tolerance is a bastion like there isn’t much of a difference between the two of masculinity and if a guy can’t hold his drink, other but judgment is drawing unobserved conclusions men will look down on him for being a lightweight. No from obvious facts, while observing is just looking at man likes to be the guy who doesn’t know his limits something and seeing what’s there.

1- By how he treats other guys

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IDENTITYmen

WOMEN

MEN

“A charming personality is what attracts me to any “I find curvy women very attractive, and by curvy 1. man. I don’t care about his physical appearance. 1.I don’t mean chubby. I mean a woman who is slim, He might be fit and rocking those six abs now, but it’s but still has some curves if you know what I mean. So not going to matter in a few years when we have two children and tons of bills to pay. In short, what attracts me to any man is a charming personality. I like a guy who would make me laugh even through the toughest times, who would be there for me through the worst before the best. There is nothing more attractive to me than a man whom I feel safe around.”

2.

yes, I think it’s mostly about her figure, because at the end of the day no one wants to date a skeleton either.”

“Well, to be honest, what attracts me to any woman 2. at first is her breasts more than anything else and then comes her wild personality. I like playful fun girls who are smart and intelligent at the same time.”

3.

“I find men who make time for their families very “What attracts me the most to any girl is the way attractive. Ditching our families might have been she smiles. There is a reason why so many songs cool when we were in high school, but now that we were made about the charm of a girl’s smile. It is are old, I just find it very attractive to find a man who seriously the most attractive feature in a girl.” acknowledges what his family has done for him and chooses to be there for them every chance he gets.”

“You definitely asked the wrong person. It takes a lot for me to think of a girl as attractive. It’s a “I find men attractive when they have a sense of combination of things, but it’s mostly about her figure responsibility, even if it’s just towards the most trivial and facial features. I like women who are slim, but not things. These days, it’s hard to find someone who has a too slim. Also, I’m not saying she has to be the most goal, and truth be told, there is nothing more attractive beautiful woman in the world, but she has to be good than a man with a goal. A man who knows what he’s looking to attract me.” doing. Someone who has planned how his life is going to play out. A doer is the right word for it, if you know “I think two things attract a man to any woman, what I mean.” her butt and her breasts. And while we might not agree on certain measurements, because, let’s face it, “Would you believe me if I tell you that I measure beauty is different for everyone, there isn’t a single guy a guy’s attractiveness by only three things? His who doesn’t think of those two things when measuring shoes, his watch and his perfume. Those three things the level of attractiveness of any woman.” could make even the worst looking guy seem attractive to me.”

“What attracts me to any woman is the way she carries herself around other people. I like a woman “I find gentlemen attractive, and mind you, those who is confident and who knows how to stand up for have become so rare. Right now, there aren’t a lot herself, and who knows how to behave according to of men who would open the door for you or call you the situation.” to make sure you got home safe. When I find a man who still does these simple things, I fall head over heels for him. The world is cruel as it is; we need more guys who care!”

3.

4.

5.

4.

How Do Men and Women Perceive Attractiveness?

by Nour Younis

One of the biggest mistakes women and men tend to make is believe that both genders think or function the same way when it comes to hot topics such as finding someone attractive and falling in love. The truth, however, is that men and women function differently. What women might find very attractive in a guy, men might not even think of or pay much attention to and vice versa. Which leaves us wondering what does each gender find attractive in the other sex?

Well, what better way to know than to ask the genders concerned and observe their answers?

Here are what men and women said when we asked them about what makes them find the other sex attractive.

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5.

6.

Finally, as you can see from the answers of both men and women above, men tend to put more weight to physical looks than women do, while on the other hand, women put more emphasis on personality and resources. This, however, does not mean that men are shallower than women because they rate looks so highly. It simply means that physical looks come on top of the list of things that make women attractive to men.

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IDENTITYmen took place as a result - the commoners rose by virtue of their ability to fire in battles and the nobility slowly dismantled as they lost their military supremacy. The death toll increased significantly in both land and naval warfare after gunpowder, but its revolutionary effect did not end there. With gunpowder, ‘killing’ became an indifferent matter and an easier task. In land battles, it created a new cycle for the infantry, but one in which killing lacked the honour and courage of the previous centuries. At sea, it unleashed an era of piracy and its presence would enable air warfare a few centuries later.

More importantly, gunpowder marked the beginning of ‘chemical power’ in warfare. As Alex Roland put it, “the scale of death and destruction unleashed by war through the remainder of the second millennium CE beggars the human imagination.” Gunpowder first appeared in Europe in 1241 and was soon to become the weapon that empowered imperialism.

8

INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED WARFARE AND THE COURSE OF HISTORY

1. FORTIFICATION BUILDING In prehistoric times, fighting relied on ambushing your target, this was until people settled and found ways to fortify their settlements. Fortification was introduced by the sedentary farmers of the nascent civilizations who started accumulating resources beyond their bare necessities. The use of stone and mud replaced wood in building and was the foundation for fortified communities, and eventually city-states. One of the earliest evidence of fortification is found in the ancient city of Uruk, on the Euphrates 2900 BCE. Fortification inspired centuries of siege engineering.

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7. THE NUCLEAR AGE Finally, humans have invented what could potentially end the human community altogether and life on earth as we know it. First used in the aftermath of WWII, the repercussions of the atomic bomb proved to be detrimental, and hence it silently put a halt on interstate wars. Since WWI, the world only witnessed rebellions, insurrections and civil wars. As Alex Roland 5. TANKS put it, “a taboo against nuclear war settled on the Tanks were the chariots of modern warfare. By the human community.” It was an invention that forced beginning of the 20th century, both world peace to some extent, but we all the French and the English possessed observe anxiously and only speculate You can’t say sophisticated automobile industries the inconceivable repercussions if the and competed to invent an armoured civilizations don’t taboo were to be broken and another fighting vehicle. The tank was inspired advance, for in world war would take place. by the agricultural tractors, only it was every war they a vehicle that incorporated “armour, MEDIA kill you in a new 8.TheSOCIAL firepower, an all-terrain mobility.” The last decade has witnessed a boost way first tank appeared in 1915 in Britain in platforms for social interaction and as a ‘Landship’. The French followed exchange of information. But social shortly and in 1917, the first French media quickly proved to be a doubleWill Rogers tanks appearing on the scene were edged sword. In some cases, it exposes Renaults. Tanks were first employed injustices and in others it can result in the battlefield during WWI at the battle of Flers- in them. Distorted information and altered footage Courcelette, in which the Anglo-French front engaged can direct thought, feed hate and result in outbursts with the Russians. The model was not mature yet and of violence against certain groups. The fact is that its many broke down, hence initially their results were impact is significant and has already proven its ability minimal. However, in the following decades the tank to mobilize masses, instigate rebellions, and even civil proved to be a forceful weapon as it crossed trenches, wars. Social media can possibly be a weapon as deadly infiltrated barbed wire, dispersed infantry and resisted as some of those mentioned above. high explosive artillery.

Weaponry reshaped like everything in our lives 6. THE AIRPLANE did. Technological advancements facilitated many The gift of flight altered our world forever, but with aspects of our lives – and equally our death. a greater opportunity to travel and explore, came Every age developed means for more efficient and equal destruction options. Air warfare first took place indifferent killing. Warfare history is a fascinating in WWI. At the time, these tentative crafts were used insight into the darker parts of human ingeniousness. mainly for observation and an exchange of fire amongst Our urge to control resources has taken us all the each other, but by WWII their destruction was fullfledged. Military aircrafts were directed at key targets way to potentially destroy the very source of those and resulted in significant civilian causality. Advanced resources and our lives along. What the world needs aerodynamics and efforts especially devoted towards today are not more military inventions, but minds that can create peace and speak wisdom.

”

by Amina El Ghandour

First we had to eat and the desire for survival made us fight for the resources. But as human societies evolved and resources became a controllable variable- we fought to control these resources.

Power and power struggles have been at the core of the human society, even at its earliest and most primitive forms. We created tools to hunt for food then shortly afterwards turned them into weapons to kill fellow humans; and weapons evolved just as every aspect of our lives did. Weapons transformed from the sharp tools in the Stone Age to the horrors of the Nuclear Age. These inventions shaped warfare and painted the most hideous episodes of our history.

engineering more intricate fighter aircrafts have rendered the airplane, the ‘most important weapon of modern warfare since WWII’. Its development inspired other technologies like the shortwave and long-wave radars, computer networks and long-range navigation systems for more ‘precision bombing’ into being. For historians, WWII was groundbreaking in the history of warfare as it utilized the industrial revolution like no other, and was able to bring much technological inventions to the battlefield.

2. THE WOODEN CHARIOT The wooden chariots were labelled the “super weapons” of the ancient world. With two spoked wheels at the back and two or four horses at the fore, the chariot dashed with unprecedented speed creating horror within the enemies’ lines. The wooden chariot was first evident in the Levant in the 1700 BCE. It was used intensively for centuries, but its sudden demise in 1200 BCE has left historians with much to speculate.

3. THE STIRRUP While the Romans excelled at siege engineering, the dynamics of warfare remained largely the same until the Middles Ages – the age of knights and horses too. The stirrup arrived in Europe in the 8th century, giving the knight stability on the horse and rendering his blows (with the lance or sword) more efficient than ever in the battle field. This simple frame that hangs from the saddle to hold the rider’s feet has had massive effect on the use of cavalry in warfare, and probably contributed the flow of literature that revolved around knighthood.

4. THE GUNPOWDER REVOLUTION This is not only an important warfare technology, it is one of the most crucial inventions in history since its use instigated changes beyond the battlefield. First, this invention devastated the entire feudal order in Europe – skilled knights and fortified castles were easily brought down by the firing of canons. A social shift

”

April 2017 57

IDENTITYtravel

Easter Getaways 7 Days/ 6 Nights Departs: 11/04/2017 Starting from: 850 USD (excluding flight and Visa)

SOUTH AFRICA

THE AFRIKAAN DREAM

Package Includes All transport and transfers per itinerary All Breakfasts 2 Lunches All tours and some activities For more information, visit Gazef facebook page

FREE YOUR MIND AT UNTOLD STORIES OF

VIETNAM

10 Days/ 11 Nights Departs: 14/04/2017 Starting from: 890 USD (excluding airline taxes and Visa) Package Includes Accommodation in hostels/lodges/guesthouses All transfers and transportation Professional, English speaking guide All meals mentioned in the Itinerary All activities mentioned in the Itinerary For more information, visit Gazef facebook page

58 April 2017

DAHAB

PHILIPPINES

IN SEARCH OF PARADISE 11 Days/ 10 Nights Departs: 12/04/2017 Starting from: 950 USD (excluding flights and Visa) Package Includes All transfers in a private vehicle 10 nights accommodation in standard hotels and guesthouses Banaue and Bangaan Village Tour Trekking to Batad rice terraces and Tappiyah Waterfalls Puerto Princesa Underground river tour Island Hopping in Bacuit Bay for 2 days Sea Kayaking & Camping on one of the islands Ziplining & Nacpan beach tour For more information, visit destination31.com

4 Days/ 3 Nights Departs: 13/04/2017 Starting from: 1150 EGP Package Includes 3 night accommodation in Dyarna Hotel Breakfast and Dinner Transportation in A/C Buses Cairo/Dahab Tour Guide Over Day Blue Hole (snorkelling included) 3 pools & blue Lagoon snorkelling and Sunset Professional Photography For more information, visit Dune Raider facebook page

NEPAL

THE GATE TO THE HIMALAYAS 9 Days/ 8 Nights Departs: 14/04/2017 Starting from: 840 USD (excluding flight and Visa) Package Includes All transfers in a private vehicle Accommodation in standard hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara for 4 nights Accommodation for 2 nights in mountain lodges in Dhampus & Sarangkot Accommodation for 2 nights in a Jungle lodge in Chitwan National Park All tickets and permits For more information, visit destination31.com

5 Days/ 4 Nights Departs: 14/04/2017 Starting from: 2300 EGP (excluding transportation) Package Includes All accommodation (Bed and Breakfast) Camel ride All temple entry fees Yoga Session THE ORACLES OF

NUBIA

For more information, visit Gazef facebook page

April 2017 59

IDENTITYout&about

JW MARRIOT CAIRO

The Nile Ritz-Carlton

EASTER NIGHT OUT

JW Marriott Cairo is your home away from home this Sham El Nessim; designed so you can relax and unwind. Visit the tranquil sanctuary of Mandara Spa and indulge in a variety of soothing treatments designed to distress and re-balance. Begin your day with a refreshing 60 minutes Traditional Hammam and 60 minutes blissful Balinese massage at Mandara spa.

RENAISSANCE CAIRO MIRAGE CITY HOTEL

THE NILE RITZ-CARLTON, CAIRO Spring is here and The Nile RitzCarlton, Cairo is certainly the best destination to celebrate an Easter Family Vacation. This Easter, gather your family and bring them to enjoy an exclusive Easter celebration with an endless selection of family activities and events. It’s all here at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo.

During brunch, all children are invited to take part in an exciting Easter festival and will enjoy a special Easter celebration with fun activities including egg hunt, Easter games and arts and crafts. Watch out for a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny giving away his Easter treats and taking memorable photos. Children will enjoy a delicious kid’s buffet they will love; the buffet will offer mac and cheese, chicken fingers, French fries, fruit cups, icecream and much more.

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Parents looking to treat their little ones to an Easter fun in the sun experience are welcomed to book our ‘Surf and Turf ’ family pool package.

Each family will indulge in an exclusive pool cabana with a succulent selection of ‘All you can eat’ poolside BBQ perfect for enjoying flame grilled premium quality meats and seafood, , delicious sauces and condiments, a fresh salad bar, tasty side dishes, and mouth-watering desserts.

For those who wish to celebrate Easter in style, Nox is the place to go. Nox is hosting a luxurious ‘Easter Oyster’ rooftop dine and party experience where our culinary team celebrates the return of oysters with varying preparations, enjoy with champagne, wine and spirits as you dance the night away with the finest entertainment in town.

CAIRO MARRIOTT The Cairo Marriott Hotel welcomes Easter with open arms! Enjoy the warm spring weather and start colouring those eggs! Every year, Easter comes with a lot of fun surprises, treasure hunts and plenty of chocolate bunnies. This year, let’s take a moment to be grateful for even the simplest of things and replenish our hope for a new beginning. Bask in the beauty of Easter and surround yourself with family and friends for a much needed day out in the sun. unwind as you get pampered at Cairo Marriott on the 17th of April with delicious meals and fun surprises! A breakfast buffet will be served at Omar’s Café from 6 till 11 a.m. including the classic Easter favourites. If you are not an early riser, Omar’s Café and Promenade Café will both offer a brunch buffet for “Sham El Nessim” from 1 till 5 p.m.

Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel is an ideal choice for a Sham El Nessim stay-cation. Welcome spring with your family and kids at SOL Pool Bar for a sumptuous BBQ lunch with live DJ including jumper castle, clown, magician, face painting, popcorn and candy station and exciting egg hunt for your kids. Savor an eclectic Sham el Nessim buffet at Citron the international restaurant with an exciting live entertainment or gather together with your family at the Chinese restaurant Chinoix offering a special salt crusted fish dish for the whole family to share on this special occasion. Spend the night at Vintage Bar & Lounge with your friends and don’t miss our spring party with live DJ and percussion Mix. DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW CAIRO.

SONESTA HOTEL, TOWER & offers a variety of refreshing cocktails, tasty BBQ menu on the tunes of the CASINO - CAIRO live entertainment program with our Get together with your family, singer and the D.J. friends and the little ones for an exciting sham el Nessem day around SOMABAY the pool. Enjoy the fresh air, sunlight, delicious breakfast and brunch Somabay unveils Easter packages and buffets with live entertainment star-studded concert line-up and lots of activities for only LE 350 per person. For a splendid There is no better place to spend Easter Getaway, book our “Family your Easter break like Somabay.

Easter Package” for only LE 775 per Boasting white sandy beaches, crystalperson in a double room including clear waters, year-round sunshine, special Easter buffet breakfast and and most importantly an action Easter Brunch by the pool with live packed programme, the destination entertainment, special kids’ activities guarantees a memorable Spring escape for the entire family.. and late check-out till 6:00 pm.

SHERATON SHARM EL SHEIKH

ROYAL MAXIM KEMPINSKI

Enjoy an unforgettable day’s festive with our delicious Sham El Nesseim breakfast, lunch & dinner buffet offering an array of specialties including traditional dishes, in addition to Easter treats, chocolates cakes, cookies and bunnies from our bakery. Guests will spend a wonderful time with lots of fun and daily live entertainment program; folkloric show, belly dancer, live band, Fakir Show, Karaoke show, miss Sheraton competition, mini disco for sweethearts and a kid’s club to keep little angels entertained.

The palace welcomes its guests with its vibrant colours and relaxing atmosphere for a short family city escape with three exclusive Easter packages to choose from this holiday.

Royal Maxim is offering silver, gold, and platinum packages that include an exceptional Sham El Neseem Iftar or Brunch and many children activities to keep your little ones busy.

All bookings made during Easter will receive Resense Spa’s special offer of a 30-minute massage for back, neck, and shoulders for two people for a very exclusive price.

SAFIR HOTEL CAIRO

CONRAD CAIRO

Celebrate Easter at Safir Hotel Cairo in a relaxing atmosphere and choose from our specially prepared offers either for accommodation or for dinning. Palm’s Coffee Shop presents an exquisite Easter breakfast and lunch buffets include a wide variety of international dishes, Easter specialties, home-made bakery, Easter inspired desserts represents a temptation to every appétit as well as a special lunch buffet for kids.

Take a well-deserved break and enjoy a stay in one of the luxurious rooms overlooking the majestic Nile for LE1057++ per person in a double room including breakfast buffet at Solana restaurant, extensive brunch buffet at Jayda Restaurant, 50% discount on car parking, 20% discount on Dinner at Oak Grill or Kamala and late Checkout till 6:00pm.

Family and friends don’t need to look any further for a special place to come together this Easter. Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo delivers an enchanting line-up of festivities and goodies to delight guests and give them a truly memorable and authentic Experience. Celebrate an ultimate Easter and Sham El Nessim and enjoy great food, heartwarming Thai hospitality and World Class facilities with your whole Blue Pool Café is the place to be with family. family and friends for best gatherings,

PALACE

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IDENTITYout&about

GROHE’s ISH Pre-opening Press Event GROHE recently took part in ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for water and energy which was held in Franfurt, Germany starting from the 14th of March until the 18th of March. In ISH, we were showcased with few of the most innovative bathroom designs, energy efficient heating and air-conditioning technology along with renewable energies. The five-day conference also presented us with over 2,400 international exhibitors who got the chance to launch their latest products, technologies and solutions.

Before the conference, GROHE also took the liberty to invite us to their pre-opening press event in Frankfurt on the 13th of March where Michael Rauterkus, the CEO of GROHE AG, shared his vision on GROHE and their mission and plans of driving innovation and work with the industry and partners to deliver intelligent water solutions that will facilitate daily living conditions and make it more convenient. GROHE also shared with us the latest trends in the bathroom culture before anyone else got to.

62 April 2017

Mom’s Getaway at The Nile RitzCarlton, Cairo The Nile Ritz-Carlton invited some of the city’s hot mamma’s for a Mother’s Day getaway celebrating and pampering young moms with a day of luxury, beauty, relaxation, and gourmet dining. The ladies enjoyed a well-deserved spa massage, high tea with special skin health session by Dr. Ahmed Rihan from ZO Skin health Center, The art of choosing a diamond by IRAM Jewelry ending the night with an a la carte Italian dinner at Vivo.

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IDENTITYout&about

Radisson Blu Heliopolis Team Member Party March 1st 2017 Inertia Sponsors the Marathon in Egypt International Presence

First with

Media Dinner at Marrakech Restaurant at Helnan Landmark Hotel

Helnan Landmark Hotel – New Organized in partnership with The Cairo, 5th settlement, had the TriFactory and the Magdy Yacoub pleasure to host the media Heart Foundation. professionals of magazines and newspapers at Marrakech Moroccan Restaurant. A night to remember, everybody enjoyed the restaurant authentic Moroccan warm ambiance and attractive interior, the delicious traditional dishes and desserts specially created by our talented Moroccan Chef.

Zumba Dancing Fitness Carnival Powered by Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch & Premedion Spa

Annual corporate appreciation ceremony at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers hosted its annual corporate appreciation ceremony and took the pride in honouring its regular patrons who included top Corporate accounts & Travel agents and thanked them for the outstanding business results & achievements for the year 2016.

Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch has proudly hosted the first Zumba Fitness Festival in Egypt for three consecutive days of a condensed dancing and fitness program with a ladies only and mixed dancing classes by Egyptian and International professional instructors.

Sony Mobile #Xperia960 event to showcase the latest in global smartphone technology

The 89th Academy Awards Royal Screening at Cairo #Xperia960 event to feature Xperia Marriott!

XZ Premium, winner of “Best New Smartphone or Connected Mobile The academy awards attract millions Device at MWC 2017.” of viewers every year to honour With the Presence of Many outstanding accomplishments Sony Mobile Communications Businessmen and Clients in motion pictures. This year, the MEA announced that it will host CairoMarriott Hotel partnered up the #Xperia960 event in Dubai to Razan Maghraby has presented with AlScene - an Arabic Culture highlight the latest award-winning ceremony of launching the new phase and life style online magazine created smartphone technology for media “ Azure” from “Blue Blue” Sokhna with by MO4 network - to host a special in the MENA region. investments of 260 million pounds screening at the Royal Suite of the hotel.

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Fun filled with excitement is the Jaz Collection Reopen 2 best way to describe the 2017 4th The History of the Sandwich properties in South Sinai Annual Team member party for the Revived at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Radisson Blu Heliopolis Employees ; Cairo Jaz Dahabya, Dahab and Jaz Belvedere, which was held recently on March Sharm El Sheikh.

1st 2017 The ancient world of Egypt known globally for its remarkable culture Due to the excessive demand from and monuments such as the ancient vacation makers and fun seekers on It was definitely a celebration to pyramids and the sphinx, and the South Saini during the second half of remember; especially for the Hotel Pharaohs and the oldest civilization by the year 2017; Jaz Collection resumes Team members as for the 1st time since hotel operational in year the banks of the river Nile. its effort in maximizing the luxury 2008, the staffs had the chance to services they usually offer their guests Food is also an integral element of by softly renovating their family hotel celebrate their event in a different the Egyptian culture. The cuisines of in sharm el sheikh, Jaz Belvedere. As environment. ancient Egypt breathe a span of over well as face-lifting their cosy relaxing three thousand years and some of hotel in Dahab, Jaz Dahabya. these even live on today, such as the sandwich. Unbeknown to most, the pharaohs were the first to introduce the “sandwich” thousands of years back, and their eating habits are captured on pictures from tomb walls, Toi Beauty Salon expanded to foods left in the tombs, hieroglyphic two floors and increased their writing and art works about growing, services finding or making food.

Toi Beauty Salon has now expanded to boast a styling arena that spans two floors and a services portfolio Hilton Cairo Zamalek that promises a transformative Residences Wins Luxury City client experience.

Hotel of the Year – Egypt Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences wins the Luxury City Hotel of the Year – Egypt by the Luxury Travel Guide for the second consecutive Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah organized year. the International Women’s Day and invited all Accor Egypt’s ladies to The Luxury Travel Guide Awards spend a full day at the hotel, starting represent the pinnacle of hospitality with a speech from Mr. Laurent achievement, championing the best in Misr El Kheir inaugurates a Betourne, Area General Manager the industry of hospitality. newly rehabilitated water plant Sofitel Egypt followed by a Yoga & in Luxor Zumba session, ending with a dance party at Le Duplex and raffle prizes from our SoSPA. International Women’s Day at Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah

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IDENTITYsigns

TAURUS

A travel opportunity will come up this month and it is very important that you take it, because it will boost your career level.

GEMINI

You will face some challenges in your career which is why you should start making sure that you have the right information.

CANCER

Start asking for help and learn how to delegate. It’s the only way you could take some of your work pressure off, and start focusing on your relationship.

LEO

ARIES

March 21 – April 20 Strengths Determined, Courageous, Confident, Enthusiastic, Passionate and Honest Weaknesses Impatient, Moody, Short-Tempered, Impulsive and Aggressive Most Compatible with Leo, Sagittarius, Libra Love: You love to flirt, and you’re not afraid to take the first step when it comes to love and romance because you believe that when a person falls in love, they should do something about it. This month, your overall behaviour when it comes to romance will play out in your favour and your love life will be full of bliss and harmony.

Career: In the past few years, you have been dreaming of scoring a more stable career and creating a better life for yourself. This month, your hard work will pay off and it’s only because of the solid foundation you laid at the start.

ARIES

Love will finally come your way this month, and the person you love will start giving you subtle signs that they are interested too. All you have to do is take the first step.

VIRGO

Your significant other will start to turn into someone you don’t quite recognize. It might be time to do some changes and adapt to the new person they’ve become.

LIBRA

Cupid’s arrow is bound to strike you this month. Keep an open eye because while your career might not be going great, your love life is about to thrive.

SCORPIO

Luck is on your side this month, so take the risk and ask for that raise you’ve been wanting for quite a while now.

SAGITTARIUS

Promises will be broken in your love life. But while it will be hard in the beginning, you will come out stronger.

CAPRICORN

Love will come running to you only if you put yourself out there, so go ahead.Take chances, and watch the results.

AQUARIUS

Your career will evolve rapidly, and you might find out that your partner is not really your biggest supporter.

Don’t give up, you’ll find someone who appreciates you.

PISCES

It will be a month of growth for both your career and Some unexpected issues will evolve because of love life. You will have stability in your relationship and instability in your career, but you’re about to learn that success in your career. your partner is your biggest supporter.

66 April 2017

April 2017 67

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68 April 2017

W E CA N H E L P YO U I N D E S I G N I N G YO U R B AT H R O O M .