"Egyptian Woman' singing contest!

Prize

رحلة الى نيويورك لتسجيل صوتك فى استوديو عالمى

Enter now

البحث عن النجمة القادمة فى جميع أنحاء مصر

تهدف مبادرة "غني يا مصرية، سمعي الدنيا" إلى جذب أصوات متنوعة جغرافياً واجتماعياً من الفتيات المصريات الموهوبات من خلال حملة تسويقية واسعة النطاق. وسوف ترحب المبادرة بجميع الفتيات فى أنحاء مصر المختلفة بداية من نصف نوفمبر الثانى للمشاركة بتحميل فيديو غنائي علي موقع المسابقة على شبكة الإنترنت لمدة تصل الي أربع دقائق. ويجوز أن يرافق المتسابقات احد لاعبي العود أوالغيتار أو الكمان ذكرا كان أو أنثى. وسوف تُعطى الأفضلية في هذه المرحلة الأولية إلى الأغاني الأصلية - من تأليف المتسابقة نفسها. وجدير بالذكر انه يجب على المتسابقة أن تقوم بتأليف أغنية أصلية من أجل أستمرارها فى المسابقة.


وبناءاً علي هذه المقاطع من الفيديو والردود على أسئلة موحدة تتصل بالسيرة الذاتية للمتسابقات، ستبدأ الدورة الاولي- و التي تتكون من ستين متسابقة بمواهبهن الموسيقية المختلفة ورسالتهن ومشاركتهن الاجتماعية وستحظي مقاطع الفيديو بدعاية عالمية في اطار المبادرة وسيقوم المشجعين من انحاء مصر بالتصويت لمطربتهم المفضلة من خلال اداة للتصويت علي شبكة الانترنت.


وسوف تدعى الستين متسابقة المختارة من قبل خبراء في صناعة الموسيقى من مصر والولايات المتحدة الى حضور سلسلة من ورش العمل المختلفة لتطوير وتقديم غناء محترف. وسوف تُختم كل ورشة عمل مع الجمهور بحفلة عامة تظهرالمهارات النسائية الناشئة من خلال غناء أغنية من تأليف المتسابقات. وسوف يتم الإعلان عن أفضل أربعة عشر متسابقة من الجولة الاولى من التصويت العام بالإضافة إلى متسابقتين إضافيتين مختارة من قبل المنظمين طبقاً لمواهبهن وإبداعهن وتنوعهن فى نهاية هذه الجولة. و سيعلن عن هؤلاء الستة عشر للجولة المقبلة.


في الجولة المقبلة، سيتم تحميل فيديو عروض اداء الحفلات للستة عشر متسابقة في اوائل فبراير علي موقع المسابقة على شبكة الإنترنت. وسوف يصوت المشجعين من جميع انحاء مصر والعالم في فبراير للمطربة المفضلة لديهم. وسوف يتأهل نصف المتسابقين إلى الدور المقبلة بناءا على التصويت على شبكة الانترنت حتى يتم اختيار الفائز.


و سوف تشارك جميع المتسابقات الستة عشر فى حضور ورشة عمل مع نجمة أمريكية عالمية والحضور الى حفل غنائى راقى. و سوف يعلن أسم الفائزة فى هذا الحفل المغطى اعلاميا على المستوى المحلى والدولى. وستفوزالمتسابقة ألأخيرة برحلة إلى مدينة نيويورك للتسجيل في استوديو عالمى. ويجب على الفائزة ان تكون مؤهلة للحصول على تأشيرة الولايات المتحدة من أجل السفر.


جميع ألأصوات والمواهب المصرية فى شتى أنحاء الجمهورية مؤهلة للمشاركة بأستثناء:


ذوى الجنسية الامريكية او ذوى جنسية مزدوجة مصرية-امريكية.


الحكام وأعضاء أفراد ألأسرة للحكام


المطربات المحترفات اللاتى قمن بتوقيع عقود مع شركات انتاج

Searching for the Best Female Musical Talent Throughout Egypt

Prize: Trip to Record in a New York City Studio!

Through a broad marketing Contest in both Egyptian and international markets, the “Sing Egyptian Women, Let the World Hear you” initiative aims to attract a geographically and socially diverse group of Egyptian singers.

Women from across Egypt will be invited in November to submit to the dedicated contest web site a video singing sample of up to four minutes. Singers may be accompanied by a single, non-singing male or female oud, guitar or violin player, if they wish. Preference will be given at this initial stage to original songs written by the singer. If a participant is selected to advance in the competition, an original song will be required for the second phase of the contest in February.

Based on these video clips and responses to standardized biographic questions, an initial round of 60 contestants with musical talent, broad potential appeal and a socially engaged message will earn a spot for their video in the contest’s worldwide marketing platform for the initiative. Fans across Egypt will vote for their favorite singers through an online voting tool.

All 60 of the women will join a team of American musicians and music industry experts in February in one of a series of three of nationwide workshops on developing and delivering expressive, high-impact songs. Each workshop will conclude with a public concert showing off the women’s emerging skills by singing an original song. At these concerts, the top 14 women from the first round of public voting plus an additional 2 chosen by the organizers for their talent, creativity and diversity will be announced as the 16 participants for the next round.

In the next round, videos of the 16 women’s performances from the early February concerts will be uploaded to the contest web site. Fans from across Egypt and the world will vote throughout February for their favorite singer. Each week, the top half of the contestants will advance to the next round until a winner is chosen.

All 16 women in the nationwide competition will join a top American female singer for an expert-level workshop and concert in Cairo in March. The top vote-getter, to be announced at this marquis concert, will win a trip to New York City to record in an American music studio. The winner must qualify for a U.S. visa in order to travel.

All Egyptian women are eligible to participate, with certain exceptions. Participants may not have American citizenship or Egyptian-American dual nationality. Employees and immediate family members of partner organizations are not eligible. Participants may not have signed any previous management or recording label contracts. There is no language requirement.

Rules

All Egyptian women are eligible to participate, with certain exceptions. Participants may not have American citizenship or Egyptian-American dual nationality. Employees and immediate family members of partner organizations are not eligible. Participants may not have signed any previous management or recording label contracts. There is no language requirement. If a participant is selected to advance in the competition, an original song will be required for the second phase of the contest in February. Singers may be accompanied by a single, non-singing male or female oud, guitar or violin player, if they wish.

جميع ألأصوات والمواهب المصرية فى شتى أنحاء الجمهورية مؤهلة للمشاركة في المسابقة ماعدا الاتى
§ ذوى الجنسية الامريكية او ذوى جنسية مزدوجة مصرية-امريكية.
§ الحكام وأعضاء أفراد ألأسرة للحكام
§ المطربات المحترفات اللاتى قمن بتوقيع عقود مع شركات انتاج
وجدير بالذكر انه يجب على المتسابقة أن تقوم بتأليف أغنية أصلية من أجل أستمرارها فى المسابقة. ويجوز أن يرافق المتسابقات احد لاعبي
العود أوالغيتار أو الكمان ذكرا كان أو أنثى.

The Contest is FREE to enter and open to all individuals who are legal residents of the Region(s) specified, and have reached the age of 18 at the time of their Entry (as defined below) (“you” or “Contestant”). It is your responsibility to ensure that you are legally eligible to enter the Contest under any laws applicable to you in your jurisdiction of residence or otherwise. The employees, officers and directors of the Contest Facilitators as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee, officer and director are not eligible to participate in the Contest. The Contest is void outside the Region(s) specified, or in any country embargoed by the United States, and where otherwise prohibited by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws, rules or regulations.
Agreement to Official Rules: By participating in the Contest, you fully and unconditionally agree to and accept these Rules and the decisions of the Organizer and/or Administrator, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Whether or not you receive a Prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth in these Rules. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Organizer is responsible for ensuring the Contest complies with all laws in all jurisdictions where the Contest is offered. CONTESTS are void where prohibited by law.
Contest Period: The Contest opens November 15th 2011 and ends on March 8th 2011. The Administrator’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Contest.
Submission round : دورة التقديم
Judging round دورة التحكيم :
Voting round دورة التصويت :
How to Enter: To enter the Contest, complete the registration form on the Contest Site with your name, email address, birth date and any required questions, and then follow the directions specified for the Contest in the Contest Summary during the Contest Period. You must login with a valid Facebook account in order to participate in the Contest. You must then provide an entry ("Entry") that fulfills the Contest Requirements ("Contest Requirements"), as specified in the Contest Summary, to be eligible to win a Prize. Entries that do not include all the required information and adhere to the Rules will be considered void. The Contest Facilitators are not responsible for lost, misdirected or incomplete Entries.
The Organizer determines if an Entry meets the Contest Requirements and otherwise complies with the Rules.
Terms of Submission: You may enter the Contest as many times as is specified in the Contest Summary. You may delete your Entry at anytime. By participating in the Contest you permit public voting in connection with your Entry.
Rights Granted by you: By entering this Contest, you agree that:
the Administrator, Organizer, and their respective licensees, successors and assigns will have the right to use all or a part of your Entry, your name and address (city and state/province/territory), and the names, likenesses, photographs, voices and images of all persons appearing in the Entry anywhere in the world and in perpetuity, for future advertising, trade, promotion and publicity in any manner and in any medium now known or hereafter devised throughout the world in perpetuity, without compensation and without notice to you and without consideration, review or approval from you; and
you agree that you will not now nor in the future be paid for your Entry or for granting the Administrator any of the rights set out in these Rules.
Your Representations and Warranties: By entering the Contest, you represent and warrant that:
your Entry, in its entirety, is an original work by you and you have not included third party content (such as writing, poetry, text, graphics, artwork, logos, photographs, likeness of any third party, musical recordings, clips of videos, television programs or motion pictures) in or in connection with your Entry without permission;
your Entry, the use thereof by the Contest Facilitators, or the exercise by the Organizer or Administrator of any of the rights granted by you under these Contest Rules, does not and will not infringe or violate any rights of any third party or entity, including, without limitation, patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, defamation, privacy, publicity, false light, misappropriation, confidentiality, or any contractual or other rights;
you have all the rights, licenses, permissions and consents necessary to submit the Entry and to grant all of the rights that you have granted to the Contest Facilitators under these Contest Rules;
all persons who were engaged by you to work on the Entry, who appear in the Entry in any manner, or have contributed to the Entry have:
given you their written consent to submit the Entry without claims for payment of any kind; and provided written permission to include their name, likenesses, image or pictures in or with your Entry (or if a minor who is not your child, you must have the permission of their parent or legal guardian) and you may be asked by the Contest Facilitators to provide such permission in writing to the Contest Facilitators; and You have read, understood, accept and agree to be bound by the Administrator’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy set as they may be amended from time to time.
Prizes: The Organizer will provide the Prize(s) to be awarded for the "Sing Egyptian Women, Let The World Hear You" Contest. No substitution of a Prize will be made unless the Organizer, in its sole discretion, determines otherwise. A Prize must be accepted as awarded, and the odds of winning are dependant upon the total number of eligible Entries received for the Contest Period. If, as a result of an error relating to the entry process, drawing or any other aspect of the Contest, there are more potential winners of Prizes than contemplated in these rules, there will be a random draw amongst all eligible Prize claimants after the Contest Closing Date (as set out in the Contest Summary) to award the correct number of Prizes.
Winner(s): The winner(s) ("Winner(s)") of the Prize(s) will be selected, as specified in the Contest Summary, from all eligible Entries received. If you are selected as a Winner, you will be notified of the selection of your Entry by the phone or email address provided by you on the Registration Form. If you do not respond to the phone or email notification of your selection as a Winner within three (3) days, an alternate Winner will be selected to receive the Prize. All decisions of the Organizer in selecting the Winner (s) are final and binding on all Entrants in all matters relating to the Contest.
Acceptance of any Prize shall constitute and signify the Winner's agreement and consent that the Contest Facilitators may use the Winner's name, photo, city, state, likeness, Entry and Prize information in connection with the Contest, worldwide, including on the internet, without limitation and without further payment or consideration, except where prohibited by law. Each Winner (or his/her parent/guardian if the Winner is a minor) is responsible for all taxes and fees associated with receipt of the Prize.
Voting: Online voting begins and ends as stated in the Contest Summary (the "Voting Period"). Anyone who registers on the Contest Site can vote for their favorite Entry or the Entry that best meets the judging criteria during the Voting Period. The Contest Facilitators have the right, in their sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Contest, including the right to void votes, including, but not limited to, for the following reasons:
multiple votes from the same user from different IP addresses or from different email addresses; fraudulent entry votes (using a redirect link, a disguised link, a fraudulent link, etc.);
technical malfunction of servers or internet connection;
user(s) recanting their own votes;
technical or content upgrades that render votes incompatible or inconsistent; and
inappropriate conduct in promoting votes (spam, harassment, etc.).
General Conditions: The Contest Facilitators have the right to verify your eligibility and compliance with these Rules, and to disqualify you on the basis of its investigation.
Your personal information will be processed in accordance with the Administrator’s Privacy Policy, as amended from time to time. You should direct any request to access, update, or correct your personal information to Administrator.
You may not enter with multiple e-mail and/or street addresses, nor may you use any other device or artifice to submit more than one (1) Entry or vote. If you use fraudulent Entry methods, or otherwise attempt to participate with multiple e-mail and/or street addresses under multiple identities, or use any device or artifice to enter more than one (1) Entry, you will be disqualified. In the event of a dispute as to any Entry, the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter will be deemed to be the person who made the Entry. For the purposes of these Rules, the authorized “account holder” is the natural person assigned an e-mail address by an internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.
Nothing contained in these Rules shall be construed to: (i) give any party the power to direct and control the day-to-day activities of the other; (ii) constitute the parties as partners, joint venturers, principal and agent, employer and employee, co-owners or entrants in a joint undertaking; or (iii) allow you to create or assume any obligation on behalf of the Organizer.
By entering the Contest, you fully and unconditionally agree to and accept these Rules and the decisions of the Contest Facilitators and the members of the voting community, which are final and binding on all matters relating to this Contest.
Contest Facilitators reserve the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest at any time (subject to approval of any regulatory body having jurisdiction), if it is determined that the Contest cannot be run as originally planned or if fraud or any other occurrence comprises the fairness or integrity of the Contest.
GOOD LUCK AND MAY THE BEST FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST WIN
US EMBASSY EGYPT / Nile Promotions / ShareTheMic

Link!

The Heliopolis-Nasr City Federation

Disclaimer: This post is tongue in cheek. It should not be taken seriously. 


Now since Nasr City came out MB/Salafi free, there is a possibility of a federation between Heliopolis and Nasr City. As a resident of the Republic of Heliopolis, I welcome such an idea but we Heliopolisians should be crystal clear regarding the terms of this federation agreement.

After yesterday’s results, Nasr City residents will surely boast about their achievement. They were once deemed a Brotherhood stronghold, but they shocked us all by electing two non-MB/Salafi members of parliament. Not only that, NC is the only district that elected two candidates in their 30s!


While we should congratulate NCians for their achievement (the poor fellows had to withstand a big scary poster of Salafi Mohamed Yosri on Nasr Street), yet we residents of ROH need to remind them that we are much older in liberalism. In addition, we are far more authentic and chic. Heliopolis is over 100 years old while Gamal Abdel Nasser built NC after the 1952 military coup. While Heliopolis always housed the crème de la crème, Nasr City welcomed the Egyptians who came back from the Gulf and brought to us the radical religious thought known as “Wahabism”.  Therefore, before we even sit on the round table and negotiate plans for a federation, we should make it very clear that we do make a distinction between the two districts.

In light of the above facts, we have to be prepared before we sit together and decide on the future of our districts. I have presented below the hot potatoes issues that might arise during negotiations and my own way forward with each.
Who will own City Stars?


City Stars is ours! It is in the jurisdiction of Nozha whether NCians like it or not. In fact, only NCians say that City Stars belongs to them. Ask anyone in Zamalek or Maadi where the grand mall is and he/she will tell you it is in Heliopolis. Even City Stars itself boasts of being in Heliopolis.
City Stars is a huge revenue generator besides it being a symbol of elegance and extravagant shopping. City Stars is a red line.
Nevertheless, if NCians turned out to be very stubborn on that issue, we can concede a little. We can give them the old extension in exchange for 2 of their popular fish restaurants: El Borg and Gandofli. This exchange does have a strategic interest for us, the residents of ROH. We are suffering from a considerable decline in population because of mass emigration especially from our Christians. The fish restaurants will increase the birth rate in ROH.
Entry policy for NCians living in 7^th Settlement, 10^th Settlement and El Sewesry
OK. We do have our low-income population in Nozha, Sherouk and Badr, and we take care of them. NCians living in the poor neighborhoods of 7^th Settlement, 10^th Settlement and El Sewesry were totally forgotten by the more affluent NCians. And the result? These areas overwhelmingly voted for the MB and Salafis. Now, if we removed the visa requirement from NCians who want to enter Heliopolis, we can be flooded with illegal immigrants from these areas.
Since we cannot discriminate according to level of income, we should maintain our visa requirement for NCians. All NCians should be required to obtain a visa before entering ROH, but they can obtain it at the borders (we can have a visa office in City Stars for example)
Abu Ramy for Deals
Abu Ramy is just too good. I personally drive all the way from Heliopolis to NC just to munch on Abu Ramy’s delicious soko2, Kebda and Sakalans. We want Abu Ramy! It is the upper class version of Zizo Natana. We are tired of Abu Haydar, Abu Amaar and 3amo Hosni.
Since we have far more alcohol serving outlets than NC, we can exchange Deals pub with Abu Ramy. We already have L’Aburgine and as I mentioned in my previous post, President Hamzawy promised us a Tamarai and La Bodega. Therefore, we can sacrifice Deals for Abu Ramy.
C28 Has to Go


NC cannot enter into a federation with ROH and retain C28, the ugly military court in 10th Settlement. Not many Kanaba Party (apolitical couch party) members in Heliopolis would agree with me, but I am totally against trying civilians in military courts. Therefore, if NC wants to be united with Heliopolis, they have to get rid of C28.

link

Egypt to stop imports of certain items regarded as luxury goods!

The Egyptian Ministry of Industry and Trade created a list in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance to stop the import of luxurious products and thus, stop the depletion of foreign currency, according to AlMasry AlYoum newspaper.

The Minister of Industry Dr. Mahmoud Eissa told the newspaper that the list contained luxurious commodities that would not affect the production line and only represent a minor percentage of inflow.

Eissa added that the list would be ready by next week, and it would be immediately implemented at the customs department. He explained that it was necessary for such decisions to be made now, since it would save this country a lot of foreign expenses.

President of the Importers-Department in the Cairo Chamber of Commerce Ahmed Shiha clarified to AlMasry AlYoum that there are not more than 10 types of “provocative products”, which is less than 5% of all imported goods.

Shiha gave an account of some of the mentioned commodities, such as cat and dog food, Korean lettuce, chewing gum, alcohol, cigarettes, and pork-based products. The customs and sales tax implemented on these products by the government are between 50% and 300%, in order to decrease their import.

President of the Importers-Department in the Chambers of Commerce Union Hamdy AlNagary added: “The list contains vine leaves, ostrich-meat, red caviar, jumbo shrimps etc. The total of inflow from these products sum up to about $4 billion annually, according to the Import and Export Control Panel.”

Link

Bedouin doing some crazy dancing!

Check Traffic Fine status

You can go online and check the status of your traffic fines now!

Traffic Fine Status

New Visa Requirement to visit Egypt!!!!! WARNING!!! (Update)

UPDATE!!! *Al Masry Al Youm added that it would include all tourists but this decision has been reversed to include ONLY diplomatic visitors*


Commencing January 15th 2012  


all visitors to Egypt will require a biometric visa in their passport.
This includes diplomatic visitors.

The biometric visa can be obtained in the visitors country of residence at the nearest Egyptian Mission prior to travel to Egypt on approval.

Applications for the visa at the mission must include a digital photograph and fingerprints which will be taken at the mission on application.

note:
this is not a biometric passport!
This is a biometric visa needed to enter Egypt which will be places in the passport!

Find your polling station by phone.

Egypt telecom has just launched a new service to help would be voters locate their nearest polling station.

Voters can now call Telecom’s 140 phone directory, provide their national ID Number and within seconds be told their constituency, polling station and their number on the voting list.

Real Life Farmville in Cairo

Just 10 minutes drive from the Giza Pyramids is a real life Farmville project called the Eco Station.

The founder Christian Mahot from Anjou in France, now resident in Dreamland Compound started the project in 2010 thanks to a plot of land given to Mr Mahot by Dreamland developer Ahmed Bahgat.
The aim of the project is mainly to recycle all of Dreamparks garden refuse into useable organic compost.
His team of workers collect all the refuse and sort it at the Eco Station behind Dreampark, shredding the waste and laying it out in rows to decompose into beautiful rich dark organic compost.

 Christian showing some visitors around part of the project


In the future he hopes to build a hammam house to collect pigeon manure and to install bee hives to collect honey to sell to visitors to help finance his project.
He would also love to own a truck to that his small band of collecters can collect the garden waste rather than contractors being paid to do this. (If anyone knows of anyone willing to donate a truck or small pick up to his project it would be great!!! )
Christian welcomes groups large and small to free tours around his Eco Station to help educate adults and children on recycling Egypts garden waste into useable compost, you just have to call and he will show you or your group around.

Garden refuse being shredded before laying in rows to compost

Christian also works with his friend Michel and his wife bird spotting and insect identification around the project. It's a great way for kids to get to know the lifecycle of plants and  wildlife around them. He encourages schools to take part, but also welcomes family groups.

 
Kids joining in the fun and watering the rows of compost and collecting insects

If you would like to have a wander around and see a real life Farmville in operation just give Christian a call and he will arrange a visit most days except Fridays.

The Eco Station is a 5 minute drive from the main Dreamland Compound gate on the Al Wahat Road 6th October City next to Dreampark Theme Park.

You can reach Christian on tele: 01091546390

You can read more about the project here:

Eco Station Project in Cairo the real live Farmville

To Egyptians Living Abroad (Elections) how ro register

To all my readers who are Egyptians living outside Egypt please click the link and register to vote.
Registration opens Thursday 10th November.

You can register using your i.d card number or the number on the new style Egyptian passport.



Register here to vote if you live outside Egypt

To give you an idea of the parties manifestos you can complete a 29 question quiz to show you which party aligns with your own ideals.
You can take part in the quiz here.

Find out which electoral party aligns with your own ideals here

Happy Voting !

Rafah Crossing in North Sinai closures October 2011

Rafah Crossing in North Sinai will be closed on 6th and 7th October 2011 to celebrate 6th October Day.
It will reopen 8th October.

October short tours

1. 6th of October Long Weekend

• Fall Hike 'Eagle Eye': Guided search to the lost city.  Red Sea Mountains & Beaches.  3 Days / 2 Nights.  EGP490.link
• Paintball Battle: MiSSiOn III.  6th of October battle.  Day Trip. EGP200. 

2. Fri. 14th

• Fishing Trip: Cruise the Sea on board a private yacht.  Full day trip.  EGP350. Location either Alex or Sokhna (to be announced)

3. Fri. 21st & Sat. 22nd

• Mini Safari: Color Festival.  Finally you can throw paint at your friends.  Full day trip.  EGP250.
• Zaafarana Hike: following our hiking program, this month is time to check Zaafarana Mountains.  2 Days / 1 Night. EGP530.

4. Fri. 28th

• Old Cairo Tour: Do you wanna know how this city looked like in the past.  Full day trip. EGP140.
• La La Land: A visit to the green Island right in front of your eyes.  Full day trip. EGP160.

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Private Trips

• All the above and more is available for private groups and individuals

Reservation

• Call +2 017 6300160.

Property Taxes

Introduction of the Property Tax will be postponed until January 2013.

An official at the Ministry of Finance said that the changes are related to increasing the tax exemption limit on annual rental income from LE6,000 to LE12,600.

The exemption limit for individual homes will be lifted from LE 500,000 to LE 1 million for single-unit owners and to LE2 million for owners of more than one

residential unit.

New Mobile Phone codes changes effective September 2011

Voting procedure and database to check id card and polling station

Below is the Ministry's Official Election website.

link

By entering your i.d card number you can access your polling information like local polling station.

Steps to vote:

1.Enter i.d card number in box enter id card no here to retrieve local polling station.

2. Go to polling station on appointed day for each governerate with national i.d card.

3. I.D card will then be used as ONLY mechanism to collect ballot paper and numbered ballot paper will be handed to voter who will then enter cross in appropriate box of choice using Pen ink and not pencil. Votes by any other means than a ink cross in a box will be invalid unless voter is illiterate then a thumbprint with a judges official signature will be entered after consulting with voter what choice he wants to make.

4. Ballot paper is then folded and placed in one of 2 boxes. One for the Independant candidate and one for a party.

5. Finger of voter is then dipped in phosphoric ink removable after 24 hours ensures no return to cast another ballot.

6. Blind or otherwise disabled voters will be offered assistance by judges representatives present.

Votes open at 08.00 and close at 19.00 hours.

Sinai Parliamentary and Shura Council Elections dates

The Supreme Council for the Armed Forces have announced the dates for the Parliamentary and Shura Council Elections.

The Parliamentary Elections will be held in 3 waves starting November 28th 2011.

The First wave 28th November will include the following governerates:
 Cairo , Fayoum , Port Said, Damietta, Alexandria, Kafr El Sheikh, Asuit , Luxor and Red Sea.

Second wave will be on the 14th December 2011 and  include the following:
Giza , Bani Sawif , Monufia , Sharkia , Ismailia, Suez, Bahaira , Sohag and Aswan.

Third wave will be on the 3rd January 2012 and will include:
Al Minya, Qalubiya , Gharbiya , Dakhalia , North Sinai, South Sinai, Marsa Matrouh , Qena and New Valley. 

The voting for the Shura Council elections will take place on 29th January 2012.

The opening session for the elected Parliament will take place on the 16th March 2012.

The opening session for the elected Shura Council will take place on 24th March 2012. 

Giza Pyramids Ticket Prices 2011-2012 and update

I went to the Giza Pyramids yesterday and there were quite a decent number of foreign tourists and tour buses returning after the recent revolution.
Let's hope the numbers increase.

There is a new ticketing system. It consists now of an electronic glossy card, 2 part ticket. The small portion is removed and inserted into slot in turnstile and the larger brown portion with Pyramids picture is retained as a souvenir.
Lots of turnstiles and help to get you through.
X Ray machine checks bags and you now walk through metal detector like in airports and hotels.

2 great vantage points for taking photographs.

One is the top of the hill at the helicopter landing pad and the other is the walled off enclosure at the top of the plateau where the souvenir sellers have all been relocated past Menkaure Pyramid and beside the Tourist Police Office. You can get a great view all across the plateau of all 6 pyramids, (3 main and 3 smaller) and mastabas and solar boat museum.

Prices are:

(Tourists)
Adults 60le
Students 30le
Khufu Pyramid entrance to Burial chamber and 'sky chambers' 100le
Menkaure Pyramid entrance 30le
Car parking 2le

(Egyptians)
2le

Visitors are advised to ignore all hustlers at entrance Mena House Oberoi side.

DO NOT!!! be pressured into parking you car at the outside of the Mena House opposite the Al Ahram Police Station. These are hustlers so do not stop for them as they try to direct you to park, just drive past on up the hill. 

At the top of the hill close to the great pyramid you will see the ticket office. First buy your  tickets and go through turnstile and meet your driver at the other side of the turnstile as he will, with his ticket drive the car to the official car park beside the pyramids.

You can drive your car or take a horse, or camel or caleche around the various roads around the plateau.

Fancy a road challenge through Egypt on a Vespa scooter?

Cross Egypt Challenge will test roads in tourism promotion bid

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A group of 16 adventurous travellers plan to scooter across 1700km of roads from Alexandria to Abu Simbel via Sinai in October.
The journey will take place over nine days in a bid to promote tourism in post-Mubarak Egypt.
The aim, says Ahmed Elzoghby, a participant and the group’s spokesperson, is to “attract world attention [to the fact] that Egypt post-revolution is not that dangerous and still has so much to offer in terms of touristic sites and world-class resorts.”
The cross-country challenge will also put Egypt’s roads to the test. According to the World Health Organisation, Egypt has one of the highest traffic death rates per person in the world. Elzoghby admits that “it is quite a challenge to ride as a group on highway roads.”
One route they have slight concerns about is the road between Suez and Taba in South Sinai, though Elzoghby said they have been coordinating with the Ministry of Interior to ensure security.
Another goal is to promote alternative modes of transport, such as scooters, bicycles and motorcycles, which are environmentally more friendly than cars and take less space on the roads, the group argues.
The idea for the challenge came about three months ago, on a casual Friday, when the group of friends met in Alexandria, where they all live. Initially, the suggestion was to take a Vespa trip to Sharm el-Sheikh. “At the time, we were already driving scooters,” Elzoghby said. They then thought about extending it to Luxor and Aswan, and finally Abu Simbel. “We wanted to grab the world’s attention during these difficult times.”
Tourism revenue, which accounts for 11 percent of gross domestic product, has dropped significantly since the uprising in January and February, which ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. This fiscal year’s tourism revenue, up to June 2011, is expected to be $3 billion less than last year’s, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
In an effort to counter this downward trend, and remind the world about Egypt’s touristic highlights, the riders will pass by its major landmarks: the modern Bibliotheca in Alexandria, the Great Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, the Suez Canal, South Sinai’s tourist spots, the Karnak temples and the Valley of the Kings near Luxor. The tour will finish at Abu Simbel.
Asked how the post-Mubarak environment has affected the preparations for such a tour, Elzoghby said he was pleasantly surprised at the support he received from government ministries, something that might have been difficult in the past. As an example, he said that the group met with the tourism minister after just sending a letter informing him about the not-for-profit initiative.
“Before the revolution, things of that nature wouldn’t have had that momentum. There’s a lot of positive energy around,” Elzoghby said.
One of the biggest challenges in preparing for the trip, he said, was setting a date. Early September would have still been too hot in Upper Egypt, and mid-September would have, at the time, clashed with parliamentary elections. The elections have now been set for November, and the group has reached a compromise of starting the journey on 14 October.

The Cross Egypt Challenge is at the moment self-financed, though the participants are looking for sponsorship. Elzoghby said their total budget is LE370,000, a sum that includes accommodation, meals, gas, helmets, photography and other equipment.
“If we can’t find enough sponsors, we might end up staying in camps. But we’re determined to make this journey successful, with or without sponsors,” Elzoghby said.
The group is offering complimentary Vespas to anyone who wants to join the main team for the whole journey, with registration open till Friday 9 September. 

Otherwise, interested motorists can join the challenge for two segments of the journey: from Alexandria to Cairo (210km) and Cairo to Suez (140km). Registration will be open until 1 October.



You can register here


Register here

Trial period for legalising marriage and birth certificates

 BIRTH AND MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE GENERAL REGISTRARS OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM.

In September 2011 the British Embassy in Cairo will work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on a trial basis to make it easier for British nationals in Egypt to legalise the signature and seal of British birth and marriage certificates issued by the General Registrar’s Office. 
This trial is the first of its kind, and if successful may be adopted by British Embassies worldwide.
Why are we doing this?
We are looking to find alternative options for customers who are already in Egypt and find it difficult to access the service overseas.
Why is legalisation of GRO certificates needed?
Having accepted a job offer to work in Egypt, many British nationals bring their families with them to live here.  Local requirements need certain administrative tasks to be completed in order to obtain residency visas for your spouse and children. One of these is to get your marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates legalised. 
What does legalisation involve?
Legalisation of GRO documents is when the signature and seal of the certificate is checked against a vast UK-wide database in order to confirm the document is genuine.  That signature and seal is then formally confirmed through a process called legalisation.
The Embassy does not have access to this database, so currently the documents have to be returned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Legalisation Office in the UK.
So what happens during this trial process?
Instead of your returning the document to the UK, you will bring it to the Embassy.   We will scan the signature and seal on the document and send it to the FCO’s Legalisation Office, who in turn will check the UK database and confirm to us whether or not the signature / seal is genuine.  Upon confirmation, we will then legalise the signature and/or seal for you.
How will this work in practice?
Step 1
You bring the original birth or marriage certificate to the British Embassy in Cairo.  (Please visit our website for current payment and fee details – www.ukinegypt.fco.gov.uk).
You will need to tell us the name of the signatory on your certificate and the district in which it was issued.
Step 2
We will scan the relevant part of the document to the FCO’s Legalisation Office. 
Step 3
The Legalisation Office will check the signatures and respond to us within 5 working days.  
When the document is ready for collection we will try to either send you an e-mail or call you. Alternatively, after seven days, you can call us on 27916000.
And then what?
After we have legalised your document and you have collected it, you will need to take it to the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who in turn will legalise our signature and stamp.  Here are their details:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Orabi St, Mohandessin, Giza
When can you come to see us to try this out?
We are open to the public from 1000 - 1300 Sunday through to Thursday.  Further information, including directions to the Embassy, the cost of this service and information on any closures for public holidays etc, can be found on our website, www.ukinegypt.fco.gov.uk.
WE CANNOT
- We cannot legalise the document if we are not able to get confirmation from London.
- We are not able to provide certified copies of these documents.
- We are not able to provide a refund.
Disclaimer: The British Embassy accepts no responsibility if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Egypt does not notarise the certificate without the Foreign and Commonwealth Office legalisation.

British Embassy

Sinai Trip 30th Aug - 2nd Sept 3 nights $115

Cruising Sinai: Eid El Fitr Vacation ..

Visit Sinai's Must See Sites: Cruising Sinai is a trip concept created in 2007 by Haitham Hozayen & Yehia El Decken.   More of a road trip cruising through the Sinai Peninsula covering some of its main must see sites.  Sinai is famous for its mountains, sea and other glorious destinations & spots.   It’s the only part of Egypt that lies in Asia, covering around 6.8% of Egypt's total surface area & hosting the country's highest peak.  Sinai must see sites include the most flavor able sea side cities in Egypt: Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab & Neweiba.   With their city centers Naema Bay, Assla & Tarabein successively, those cities are formed in a way to allow visitors to enjoy more.  No exclusive beaches or restaurants inside a specific hotel facility and not the other.  On the contrary all leisure facilities are accessible by guests of all hotels.  A little bit of touristic communism ;).   Cruising Sinai Program 1 will allow some time to enjoy the structure of the above mentioned cities and feel their flavors.  Also a visit to Blue Hole one of the world's most famous destinations for diving, with its water clarity and mysterious stories about earlier divers and their adventures.  On the list of visits are three very exotic destinations: Hammam Pharaon or Pharaohs Springs, which is a cave by the sea on the Gulf of Suez with hot mineral water coming out from the mountains.   Also, Pharaoh Island, seems that pharaohs had great impact on Sinai :).  The Island is part of the Egyptian territories with nothing but a huge citadel built by Saladin (yes there are more than once Saladin Citadels in Egypt) to defend the empire during war with Crusaders.  The Island is accessible from Taba by a 5 minute boat ride in Gulf of Aqaba, the view from top of the Citadel is amazing, as you could keep turning around seeing parts of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Occupied Territories & Egypt.   You could also roam up to 13 networks using your mobile phone.  If time allows your group leader might take you to Ras Muhammed at the very beginning of the trip to visit/enjoy/learn more about the tip of the peninsula and its magical spots.     Duration: 3 Days / 3 Nights. 72 hours. Dates: From 30thof Aug. to 2ndof Sep. Sights: Hammam Pharaoh, Ras Muhamed, Sharm (Neama bay), Dahab (Assla & Blue Hole), Neweiba (Tarabein), Taba (Pharaoh Island). Price: EGP690 or USD$115. Accommodation: 3* hotel in Dahab and basic camp in Neweiba.  Shared accommodation.· Meal plan: Half board. Consider this program if: it’s your first time to join our cruising Sinai program.  If you are interested in seeing the major must see sightseeing of the great Sinai Peninsula.  If you want to reach Pharaohs bath cave at the best visiting time.  If interested in visiting rare spots in Sinai check Cruising Sinai Program 2 on the website. For more information click on the following URL: http://www.holiday.com.eg/vacation-packages/cruising-sinai.html For Reservation: Call +202 2590-5289 or +2 017 6300 160 or email us: sales@holiday.com.eg. Send a photocopy of your national ID/passport to sales@holiday.com.eg Mohamed Rady, Omar Kordia, Abdulrahman Shams, Moody Radwan, Khaled Kadry, Hisham Mady, Mohamed Atef, Tamer El Mahrouky & Yehia El Decken Tourism Department, Holiday Tours [since 1973] Tel.: +202 2590-5289 Tax: +202 2591-0499 www.holiday.com.eg Member of IATA & Licensed from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism #: 110

Holiday Tours ... 14 Alfy Street, Down Town, Cairo, Egypt. 

Tel.: +(202) 2590-5289 , +(2017) 6300-160  Fax: +(202) 2591-0499

sales@holiday.com.eg    http://www.holiday.com.eg

Radio Egypt

Nile Radio will be the first Arab country in the region to broadcast the American Top 40 hosted by Ryan Seacrest every Saturday at 12 noon.

Tune into Nile FM on 104.3 FM
Nile FM