- Title: EGYPT: Egyptians end three days of Eid celebrations.
- Date: 23rd August 2012
- Summary: MAN SELLING COTTON CANDY AND BALLOONS ON BRIDGE MAN SELLING CORN / GRILLS CORN ON COAL CORN GRILLING ON COAL PEDESTRIANS IN STREET EGYPTIAN MAN WITH HIS DAUGHTER EATING CORN ON BRIDGE
- Embargoed: 7th September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt
- City:
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Religion,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA6IU1ZU8Z6T3G4BBWFK61I35SN
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Egyptians celebrate with music and food, the country's first Eid under a democratically elected president, ending three days of festivities on the Qasr el-Nil bridge.
Egyptians gathered in the streets of Cairo to celebrate the third and final day of Eid Al-Fitr on Tuesday (August 21).
Across the three days of celebrations, Egyptians who remained in Cairo spent their evenings walking along the Nile, sipping drinks in cafes set up on the bridge or treating themselves to foods sold by street vendors.
Children of all ages wore brand new outfits specifically purchased for Eid, a tradition among Egyptians and many Muslims around the world.
Some Egyptians had complained of the rising prices for clothing and food in the midst of a bad economy, hammered by last year's political uprising. But many people put their concerns aside for the Eid festivities.
Mabrouk Makhloufa, celebrating Eid, said that nothing could dampen the spirits of the millions of people, enjoying the first Eid after electing the country's first civilian president.
"This year, people are celebrating two joys; the joy of Muhammad Mursi being elected as president and the joy of Eid. This man is fearful of God and is a hard worker and I hope the people stand beside him. I also hope that every important figure and official, the revolutionary coalitions and revolutionary youth stand beside him and join hands so we can overcome this period and cross over to a more secure period," he said.
The months following the toppling of Hosni Mubarak, were marred by bloody confrontations and political unrest.
The widespread absence of security led to a feeling of uncertainty among many Egyptians who hoped that with the election of Islamist president Muhammad Mursi, security would be restored and the country will begin moving towards democracy.
Ahmed Mohammed, owner of one of the make-shift cafes on the bridge, said this scene on the bridge was a proof of the celebratory emotions exuding from every Egyptian.
"People feel safe; everyone is celebrating whether old or young. Every class has celebrated this time in its own different way, and this is representative of every Egyptians' character and their celebrations that date back to thousands of years," he said.
Egyptians also celebrated Eid festivities by sailing across the nile while others enjoyed grilled corn, ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn, with vendors lined up on the sidewalk of Qasr el-Nil bridge listening to music well into the night. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
