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Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Eyes wide open - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
Ancient Egyptian art has inspired sculptors such as Gamal El-Segeny, Adam Henein, Ahmed Abdel-Wahab and Hassan Kamel. One of the latest collections in this vein is the exhibition The Earth's Memory (15 June-7 July) by the young artist Engy Omara: 61 clay sculptures in various sizes. The gallery's largest hall felt like an Egyptian museum, where dozens of small and medium-sized sculptures are shown. On two shelves, many small pieces are arranged neatly just the way they would be shown in museums. 'I have always been impressed by museum exhibits. I wanted to create an atmosphere resembling a museum, which is where I usually spend my free time, especially the newly renovated Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria,' she said at the gallery. Born and raised in Alexandria, Omara is a 2017 graduate of the sculpture department at Alexandria University's Faculty of Fine Arts. She started her career a year before her graduation and is currently studying for her Masters degree on Fayoum pottery. The artist's fascination with ancient Egyptian sculpture preceded her participation in the Aswan International Sculpture Symposium in 2020. She mentions her mentor, the late, prominent painter and sculptor Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, who sparked her interest in ancient Egyptian sculpture and clay sculpture. The art of Ptolemaic and Roman Alexandria is also a source of inspiration. Her debut exhibition, Terracotta, was held at Mulk Art Space in Alexandria in 2023. It followed a three-month workshop in Fayoum sponsored by Sawirias Foundation in collaboration with the Fayoum Art Centre in 2022. 'It was like a magical journey into a different universe, where Egyptian art and sites like the Whale Valley were great inspirations,' she said. The influence of the Fayoum mummy portraits and Coptic art are clearly evident in this work. As a potter Omara's visit to Fayoum was very significant as she spent time in the three main villages known for pottery: Tunis, Al-Nazla and Kom Ausheem. Each has its own techniques. 'It was there that I learned a lot about a legacy that goes back to even before ancient Egyptian times.' For the artist, The Earth's Memory refers to the history of all beings and fauna who ever lived on earth. 'The word memory also refers to my own memories and my short history on earth,' she added. 'Clay is associated with the earth. We were all created from clay. During the process of clay sculpture, I was overwhelmed by philosophical questions about creation. I am equally inspired by ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses. One god is Khnum, the god of fertility and creation, often depicted with a potter's wheel symbolising his role in shaping bodies from clay, which yielded amazing images.' The collection on show is divided into many series, each has a subtitle, such as The Owl, Portraits, Lamentation... Night's Mirror from the Owl series, the biggest piece on show, depicts a brown owl, in a long body, with its wide eyes and hooked nose. For the artist, the owl, which is a sacred symbol in Greek and ancient Egyptian mythology, is a mirror reflecting inner vision, intuition and wisdom. As a child, Omara loved to make moulds with colored play dough and build castles on the Mediterranean sand. 'I tried many materials, but ultimately fell in love with clay. One good thing about using clay as a material is the direct sculpting process. There is no medium between me and the clay, no tools — only my fingers. This is why it can absorb my true feelings.' Most portraits and self-portraits reflect an air of sadness and uncertainty. A self-portrait from the Lamentation series is titled Traces of Departure. It depicts a human face, eyes wide open, without a neck or hair, communicating feelings of loss, astonishment and the internal void. 'It is due to the shock of the sudden death of my older brother last year. It was not intentional. I realised later that some portraits reflect the position of my brother as he lay on his hospital bed for several days, his arms on his chest like a mummy.' The artist was also inspired by Neith, an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with war, wisdom and creation. 'Studying images and meanings associated with the goddess, I felt that she recreated me, that I wanted to rise again after the shock of losing my brother.' That is why the Amphoras series makes up a good part of the collection. They have many meanings, but they principally refer to women's bodies as memory holders. Each piece is a fusion of ancient amphora structure with the head of an animal or a birds representing gods and goddesses who have inspired the artist, such as Sekhmet and Anubis. 'Generally, I like the form of the vessel. For me, they are a symbol of femininity. Women are secret and heritage keepers, just like clay vessels,' she said. There is also a series of Canopic jars and strange creations representing reincarnation. Omara spends a great deal of time in her studio in Alexandria. 'I love to work for long hours. I rarely go out of my studio.' Each piece, she mentioned, is the product of a moment of meditation, part of an unwritten autobiography. This is proved by the huge collection on show, all produced in the past year. 'I have learned,' she said in her exhibition statement, 'that art is not just a product of a certain vision, but also a product of silence, meditation and a profound conversation between the material and the spiritual.' Compulsory Silence, a series of self-portraits depicting a small-sized face in greyish green, with eyes wide open and flowers instead of mouths. Each sculpture represents an open invitation to the viewer to contemplate the meaning of silence. 'I think I still need to develop the concept of vessels in my upcoming work,' she says. 'Actually, I haven't decided on my next project yet, but it could be a mixed media project. I like mosaic art, and that could work well with clay, as both are interwoven with nature.' * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Middle East
7 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// FM affirms full support for development projects in Chad
CAIRO, July 21 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty Monday reaffirmed government's full support for development projects in Chad, particularly in the domains of infrastructure, energy, education, health, agriculture and capacity building. Abdelatty made the remarks during a short visit to the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, on Monday ahead of beginning of his West Africa tour, where he met with Chad's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamat Saleh Annadif. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on key regional issues of mutual concern, a top of which is the situation in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa and their implications for the stability of the continent. Abdelatty praised the recent advancement of Egyptian-Chadian relations, highlighting top priority attached by Egypt to finalizing the land road project linking Egypt and Chad. He emphasized the importance of the project for boosting trade exchange and facilitating the movement of people and goods between the two countries. Abdelatty expressed readiness of Egyptian companies to support Chad's efforts in constructing dams and rainwater harvesting wells. Furthermore, he emphasized Egypt's commitment to supporting the establishment of a diplomatic studies institute in Chad to train Chadian cadres. He also voiced support for the prompt finalization and inauguration of the Alexandria University campus in N'Djamena. (MENA) A A E/M O H
Egypt Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
FM affirms full support for development projects in Chad
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty on Monday, July 21, 2025, reaffirmed government's full support for development projects in Chad, particularly in the domains of infrastructure, energy, education, health, agriculture and capacity building. Abdelatty made the remarks during a short visit to the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, on Monday ahead of beginning of his West Africa tour, where he met with Chad's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamat Saleh Annadif. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on key regional issues of mutual concern, a top of which is the situation in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa and their implications for the stability of the continent. Abdelatty praised the recent advancement of Egyptian-Chadian relations, highlighting top priority attached by Egypt to finalizing the land road project linking Egypt and Chad. He emphasized the importance of the project for boosting trade exchange and facilitating the movement of people and goods between the two countries. Abdelatty expressed readiness of Egyptian companies to support Chad's efforts in constructing dams and rainwater harvesting wells. Furthermore, he emphasized Egypt's commitment to supporting the establishment of a diplomatic studies institute in Chad to train Chadian cadres. He also voiced support for the prompt finalization and inauguration of the Alexandria University campus in N'Djamena.
Al-Ahram Weekly
21-07-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt places premium on completing road-linking project with Chad: FM Abdelatty in N'Djamena - Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed on Sunday to his Chadian counterpart, Abderaman Koulamallah, that Cairo places a premium on completing the road linking the two nations, as it aims to boost trade and facilitate the movement of people and goods between the two countries. This announcement was made during a meeting in the Chadian capital of N'Djamena, before the Egyptian top diplomat embarking on a tour of West African countries, which includes Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Senegal. A Foreign Ministry statement said Abdelatty praised the recent progress in Egyptian–Chadian relations, highlighting Egypt's full support for development projects in Chad, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, energy, education, health, agriculture, and capacity building. The Egyptian foreign minister emphasized to Koulamallah that Cairo is keen on supporting Chad in constructing dams and rainwater harvesting wells. Egypt's top diplomat also affirmed Egypt's commitment to assisting Chad in establishing a diplomatic studies institute to train Chadian cadres and expressed hope for the swift completion and inauguration of Alexandria University's branch in N'Djamena. The statement added that the meeting between the foreign ministers included an exchange of views on key regional issues of mutual concern, foremost among them the situation in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, and their implications for the continent's stability. Connecting two nations In February, the Ministry of Transport revealed details of the road project connecting Egypt to Chad via Libya. The transport ministry stated that the road comprises three sectors, the first of which is currently under construction, extending from East Oweinat to the Kufra border crossing. The second sector within Libyan territory spans 390 kilometres, while the third sector, from the Chadian border to Ibsha, passing through the city of Am Jiras, spans 930 kilometres. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Arab Contractors Company and the Libyan government to initiate survey and environmental studies, as well as preliminary design works, for the road connecting the Kufra area in southeastern Libya, on the border with Egypt, and extending into Libyan territory up to the border with Chad. The transport ministry added that the Arab Contractors Company also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chadian government to initiate survey and environmental studies, as well as the preliminary design for the third sector, from the Libyan-Chadian border to the city of Am Jiras. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Leaders
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Abdel Wahab El-Messiri: Intellectual Journey of Tracing Zionism's Impact on Mideast Strife
Abdel Wahab El-Messiri, an Egyptian scholar, author and intellectual, has carved his name among the most prominent thinkers in the modern Arab world, with an intellectual journey spanning more than 30 years. El-Messiri dedicated most of his works to studying Zionism and Western modernity, in a bid to understand the roots of the Middle East conflicts. As a result, he produced over 50 books and numerous articles, including his magnum opus the Encyclopedia of Jews, Judaism and Zionism. Pursuit of Knowledge Abdel Wahab El-Messiri was born in Damanhour, Egypt, in 1938, where he received his primary and secondary education. He studied English literature at the Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University. In 1959, he got his BA degree and was appointed as a teaching assistant of English literature. El-Messiri moved to the US in 1963, in pursuit of higher studies. There, he received a MA in English and comparative literature from Columbia University in 1964, followed by a PhD in the same field from Rutgers University in 1969. Professional Career El-Messiri held many positions in prestigious institutions. Upon his return to Egypt, he worked as a professor emeritus of English and comparative literature at Ain Shams University. He also worked as a professor of English and Literature in several Arab universities, including King Saud University (1983-1988), and the University of Kuwait (1988-1989). He was also a visiting professor at Nasser Military Academy in Egypt and the International Islamic University in Malaysia. Owing to his expertise, El-Messiri was appointed as a consultant on Zionism and a member of the Board of Experts at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (1970-1975) and a cultural advisor to the Permanent Delegation of the Arab league to the UN, New York (1975-1979). He was also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic and Social Sciences University in Leesburg, Virginia, US, and an editorial advisor to several annual academic journals published in Malaysia, Iran, the US, England, and France. Quenching Intellectual Thirst While in the US, Abdel Wahab El-Messiri had the chance to engage with a Zionist family and a Jewish friend, which allowed him to look deeply into the history of Zionism and to see the life in Israel in a different way. ' By 1965, I had come to know Zionism from within and this opportunity colored my views. I was the first Egyptian to write about it with more than a superficial knowledge picked up at random ,' El-Messsiri said in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly. ' I was also the first one to predict the Intifada and the advent of the stone-throwing children, four years before it actually came to pass,' he noted. He added that he was not afraid of Zionism because he had ' a deep understanding of its mechanisms and I am full of optimism regarding the ultimate fate of the Palestinians ,' he said. El-Messiri was shocked by the news of the Six-Day War in 1967, during which Israel occupied Egypt's Sinai and other Arab territories. This sparked his interest to study the origins of the Middle East strife, driven by a strong desire to 'know the enemy.' Thus, he started to study the Zionist thought cognitively. This led him to produce his first book 'The End of History: An Introduction to Studying the Structure of Zionist Thought' in 1972. After that, a series of books and studies about Judaism and Zionism followed, including 'Encyclopedia of Zionist Concepts and Terms: A Critical Vision' in 1975. El-Messiri decided to expand his work into a broader collective and cultural view of the Zionist project, resulting in his 8-volume seminal publication, 'Encyclopedia of Jews, Judaism and Zionism: A New Interpretive Model,' published in 1999. Zionism Unpacked Abdel Wahab El-Messiri's focused his research on Jews, Judaism and Zionism; secularism; Western culture; modernism and postmodernism; literary theory and comparative literature. However, Zionism formed the largest segment of his scholarly output. To establish a collective view of the Zionist project, he studied the modernist Western thought with its philosophical and cultural basis. This resulted in a critical study of Western civilization, and a broader philosophy that involved a contemporary 'Islamic' modernism that can address issues stemming from Western modernity, especially in the postmodern era. A Political Project El-Messiri viewed Zionism as a political ideology rooted in Western imperial modernity. In his work, he drew a line between Judaism as a religion and Zionism as a political project. He rejected all forms of racism, refraining from using biased terms and debunking myths around Jews. El-Messiri viewed the Zionist thought as Western in essence and one of the byproducts of the modern Western imperialist ideology. ' Zionist thought is thoroughly Western in its essence. The Zionist worldview is one of the many byproducts of modern Western imperialist ideology ,' he wrote in his book Zionism and Western Civilization. ' This is clear in the 'apologetics' put forth by Zionists: arguments crafted to deflect blame and justify aggressive acts, wrapping them in a cloak of meaning. Though they include some Jewish elements, these apologetics are essentially Western to the core,' El-Messiri added. Encyclopedia of Jews, Judaism and Zionism In his magnum opus, the Encyclopedia of Jews, Judaism and Zionism, El-Messiri offered a comprehensive analysis of the history of Jews and the Zionist groups and their relation to Israel. The publication is comprised of 8 volumes; each consists of around 450 pages and is divided into chapters and sections, discussing a specific subject. The first volume introduces the work's theoretical framework. Meanwhile, volumes 2,3, and 4 discusses the Jewish groups. The fifth volume discusses Judaism, while the sixth volume discusses Zionism. Volume 7 focuses on Israel as a Zionist occupier, while the last volume is dedicated to indexes. The Egyptian author also published a brief edition for the encyclopedia, consisting of two volumes, providing a summary for the basic material in a way accessible to the non-specialist readers. El-Messiri argued that Zionism uses European race theory to move the Jewish people out of Europe and justify the killing of Palestine's indigenous people to replace them. He thought that Israel could have existed without the Belfour Declaration or the Torah promise as a result of the 'population transfer' mechanisms, which represent a secular concept rather a religious one and were used by the Western civilization during its renaissance. The Egyptian scholar also concluded that Israel is part of the Western colonial formation and a functional client state for the US. Prominent Publications El-Messiri boasted a rich writing career, involving more than 50 books and dozens of articles. His work covered a diverse range of topics, such as Zionism, postmodernism, secularism, Muslim political thought, Palestinian liberation movements, the Intifada, Palestinian poetry, English literature and children stories. Abdel Wahab El-Messiri's writings include publications in Arabic and English, many of which were translated into several languages. His articles also featured in prestigious newspapers, such as Al-Ahram, Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Hayah, Journal of Arabic Studies, Journal of Palestine Studies, and New York Times. His most prominent English publications include: The Land of Promise: A Critique of Political Zionism Israel and South Africa: The Progression of a Relationship A Lover from Palestine and Other Poems Three Studies in English Literature The Palestinian Wedding: A Bilingual Anthology of Contemporary Palestinian Resistance Poetry Meanwhile, El-Messiri's Arabic publications include: The End of History: An Introduction to the Study of the Structure of Zionist Thought Encyclopedia of Zionist Concepts and Terms: A Critical Perspective Judaism, Zionism, and Israel: A Study in the Spread and Decline of the Zionist Vision of Reality Selections from English Romantic Poetry: Essential Texts and Some Historical and Critical Studies The Zionist Ideology: A Case Study in the Sociology of Knowledge The Palestinian Intifada and the Zionist Crisis: A Study in Perception and Dignity Zionism, Nazism, and the End of History: A New Civilizational Vision Encyclopedia of Jews, Judaism and Zionism: A New Interpretive Model Zionism and Western Civilization The Collapse of Israel from Within The End of the Journey Throughout his writing journey, El-Messiri received dozens of threats to his life. These included 13 threat letters from the Israeli former Knesset member and founder of the Zionist Kach group, Meir Kahane, while he was working on the Encyclopedia of Jews, Judaism and Zionism. As a result, the Egyptian security authorities provided protection to El-Messiri. However, he downplayed these threats and never backed down, publishing his book that has garnered great popularity. After a long battle with cancer, Abdel Wahab El-Messiri passed away in a hospital in Cairo on July 3, 2008, at the age of 70, ending an unparalleled intellectual journey that challenged conventional thought and left its mark on the cultural landscape of the modern Arab world. Short link : Post Views: 7
