Government
Egypt is currently being run by an interim government. It used to be a dictatorship, but when Hosnī Mubārak was overthrown in February of 2011, an interim constitutional declaration was issued. This interim government is governing until a new constitution can be agreed on.
Cairo is currently a governorate. A governorate is an administrative division of a country. Their policies are directed by an assembly. However, the national government has financial control over local programs and budgets.
The governor is the head of the governorate and he/she is appointed by the president. An executive committee assists the governor. The executive committee includes ministries of education, health, housing, social affairs, finance, and the interior.
Citations:
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Holds Weekly Cabinet Meeting." Photographer. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 4 May 2013.
Cairo is currently a governorate. A governorate is an administrative division of a country. Their policies are directed by an assembly. However, the national government has financial control over local programs and budgets.
The governor is the head of the governorate and he/she is appointed by the president. An executive committee assists the governor. The executive committee includes ministries of education, health, housing, social affairs, finance, and the interior.
Citations:
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Holds Weekly Cabinet Meeting." Photographer. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 4 May 2013.
Religion
Islam is the official religion of Egypt, so most of the people in Cairo are Muslims. Many Egyptians observe the Sunni branch. Their holy book is the Quran. This book is a message from God given to Muhammad. Muslims do not have a name for God, although they do have a word for God which is Allah. They also believe in the Five Pillars of Islam. These are declaration of faith, prayer, almsgiving (charity), fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
There are also Coptic Christians in Cairo. Around one-fourth of the total Coptic population lives in Cairo, but they are more numerous in the Middle Nile Valley governorates. They are the largest Christian denomination in the country, although others include Coptic Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Armenian Orthodox and Catholic, Maronite, Syrian Catholic Churches, Protestants, and Anglicans.
There are also Coptic Christians in Cairo. Around one-fourth of the total Coptic population lives in Cairo, but they are more numerous in the Middle Nile Valley governorates. They are the largest Christian denomination in the country, although others include Coptic Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Armenian Orthodox and Catholic, Maronite, Syrian Catholic Churches, Protestants, and Anglicans.
Language
The official language of Egypt is Arabic. This is because the official religion is Islam and Muslims speak Arabic. Although, the educated are fluent in either French, English, or both. But, the question is how Islam got to Egypt.
In 642 AD, the Muslims invaded Egypt. This brought the idea of Islam to the Egyptians. By the eighth century, Egypt was largely Muslim.
Citations:
"Autograph Responsum Of Moses Maimonides." Fine Art. Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 5 May. 2013.
Social organizations
Egyptians consider family as an integral entity - the most important link in the social chain. They feel responsible for their family and the behavior of their siblings, parents, cousins, etc. Increased urbanization has made most people decide to live only with their nuclear family, although traditionally, extended family would live in the same house.
Status depends largely on where you were born, class, and degree of modernity (how modern you are). Half of Cairo's population lives in city proper and half live in the suburbs.
Citations:
"Cairo - The Mother Of The World." Photographer.Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 5 May. 2013.
Economics
Cairo is the primary center for economic production and financial control. In the 1990s, it had a growing tourist industry, and now tourism is a major source of revenue. The industries include iron production, steel production, and consumer goods. The majority of the work force is employed in sector jobs, especially government, financial services, and commerce (the activity of buying and selling).
Citations:
"Cairo, Egypt.." Photography. Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 5 May 2013.
Customs and traditions
Egyptians love watching and playing soccer. The biggest and the most popular national soccer clubs are Ahly and Zamalek, both are based in Cairo. Yet, not only is soccer popular, but ballet and modern dance are too.
They also have many holidays in Cairo. In January, they celebrate New Year's Day and Cairo Book Fair. During April, they have Sinai Liberation Day and Images Festival of Independent Film and Video, and in May, they celebrate May Day. Revolution Day takes place during July, while Experimental Theatre Festival is in September. National Day and Pharaoh's Rally are in October, yet in November, they celebrate Arabic Musical Festival. Finally in December there is Cairo International Film Festival.
How to make an Ancient Baked Apricot Custard
300 g fresh apricots, de-stoned and pureed
4 eggs
½ cup sugar
¼ cup cream
1 heaped tablespoon ground almonds
Sliced almonds and mint leaves to garnish
Pre-heat oven to 175 C. In a bowl whisk the eggs and sugar together, add the cream and fold in the ground almonds and pureed apricots. Butter four 150ml ramekins. Pour the apricot mixture into the ramekins. Place the ramekins in a larger pan and pour in hot water to come half way up sides of dishes. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the point of a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve either hot or cool. Garnish with sliced almonds and mint leaves and serve with yoghurt. NOTE: Soaked dried apricots can be substituted for fresh apricots if they’re not available.
Citations:
Tegel World Kitchen. “Ancient Baked Apricot Custards.” Web. 5 Apr. 2013. "Cairo." Photography. Encyclopedia Britannica Image
Quest. Web. 5 May. 2013.
"A Group Of Children Playing In The Ein Helwan Neighbourhood In Suburban Cairo, Egypt. May 29, 2007.." Photography.
Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 5 May 2013.
They also have many holidays in Cairo. In January, they celebrate New Year's Day and Cairo Book Fair. During April, they have Sinai Liberation Day and Images Festival of Independent Film and Video, and in May, they celebrate May Day. Revolution Day takes place during July, while Experimental Theatre Festival is in September. National Day and Pharaoh's Rally are in October, yet in November, they celebrate Arabic Musical Festival. Finally in December there is Cairo International Film Festival.
How to make an Ancient Baked Apricot Custard
300 g fresh apricots, de-stoned and pureed
4 eggs
½ cup sugar
¼ cup cream
1 heaped tablespoon ground almonds
Sliced almonds and mint leaves to garnish
Pre-heat oven to 175 C. In a bowl whisk the eggs and sugar together, add the cream and fold in the ground almonds and pureed apricots. Butter four 150ml ramekins. Pour the apricot mixture into the ramekins. Place the ramekins in a larger pan and pour in hot water to come half way up sides of dishes. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the point of a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve either hot or cool. Garnish with sliced almonds and mint leaves and serve with yoghurt. NOTE: Soaked dried apricots can be substituted for fresh apricots if they’re not available.
Citations:
Tegel World Kitchen. “Ancient Baked Apricot Custards.” Web. 5 Apr. 2013. "Cairo." Photography. Encyclopedia Britannica Image
Quest. Web. 5 May. 2013.
"A Group Of Children Playing In The Ein Helwan Neighbourhood In Suburban Cairo, Egypt. May 29, 2007.." Photography.
Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 5 May 2013.
Arts and literature
The majority of Arabic films produced by Egyptian companies are in Cairo. It is the film capital of the world. There are also a number of important newspapers published in Cairo. In Cairo, you will find many mosques, pre-Islamic icons, textiles, stones, and of course, the pyramids. It is also one of the Arab world's literary centers.
Citations:
"Cairo." Photography. Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 6 May 2013.