CAIRO,— Egyptian singer Hany Shaker, widely known as the Prince of Arab Song, died Sunday in Paris at the age of 74 after a prolonged illness, his family said, cited by Egyptian television.

Shaker had traveled to the French capital several weeks ago seeking treatment after his health deteriorated sharply.

He died following complications from a long-standing colon condition that caused repeated bleeding.

He had been hospitalized in Paris after a severe hemorrhage and remained under close medical supervision in recent weeks, reports said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi offered condolences on Facebook, praising Shaker’s “distinctive voice and refined performance.”

El Sisi told the public he extended his deepest condolences to the Egyptian people and lovers of true art on the passing of the artist, who had enriched the world of music through his creations on national, social, and humanitarian occasions.

Born Hany Abdel Aziz Shaker in Cairo on Dec. 21, 1952, he began studying piano at a young age under his mother’s guidance. He made his first on-screen appearance at 14, portraying a young Sayed Darwish in a biographical film.

His breakthrough came in 1972 while studying at the Cairo Conservatoire, when the song Heloua Ya Dounia, composed by Mohamed El Mougi, became a regional hit.

The track helped establish him as a leading voice in modern Arabic music. Composer Mohamed El Mougi is credited with discovering him that year.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Shaker released more than 600 songs across 29 albums. His romantic ballads resonated widely across Egypt, the Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa from the 1980s through the 2000s.

Popular albums included Bahebak Ana, Ahla Al Layali, Garhy Ana, and Yaretny.

Among his best-known songs are Etmadet El Eidein, Asaheb Meen, Eih Yalli Bahebak, Di Hekaya, and Dehketek.

Separately, Egyptian belly dancer and actress Soheir Zaki died Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the age of 81 after a career spanning more than three decades that helped shape modern belly dancing and Egyptian cinema.

(With files from Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

The post Hany Shaker, Egyptian singer, dead at 74 in Paris appeared first on iKurd News.

CAIRO, Egypt,— Egyptian belly dancer icon and actress Soheir Zaki has died on Saturday at the age of 81 after a career that spanned more than three decades and helped shape modern belly dancing and Egyptian cinema, local reports said.

Her death was confirmed after a period of declining health. She suffered from severe dehydration, along with lung complications and breathing difficulties.

In recent days, she had been admitted to intensive care following a series of age-related health crises before her death was announced on Saturday.

Soheir Zaki Abdullah was born on Jan. 4, 1945, in Mansoura in Dakahlia province. Her family roots trace back to Upper Egypt. She later moved to Alexandria, where she began building her reputation as a dancer before relocating to Cairo to expand her career.

Zaki became widely known during the 1960s and 1970s, a period seen as the height of her success. She performed at both official and private events and became associated with leading figures of her era.

She was often referred to as the “dancer of leaders,” reflecting her appearances at high-level gatherings.

She performed at the weddings of the children of former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and appeared before several international figures, including former U.S. President Richard Nixon, Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba, and Iran’s Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Zaki also gained attention for introducing dance performances to the music of Umm Kulthum. Reports said the singer initially opposed the idea but later expressed admiration after watching Zaki perform.

Her film career included roles in more than 50 productions, where she appeared as both a dancer and actress.

Among her works were “For Women Only,” “The Price of Love,” “Men in the Trap,” and “Me, Him, and Her.” Her final film appearance was in “I Deserve It” in 1984.

She retired from performing in the early 1990s.

Zaki was also known as the first dancer to perform to Umm Kulthum’s song “Enta Omri,” a move that marked a shift in belly dancing style at the time.

She was married to photographer and producer Mohamed Amara and worked in several films directed by Hussein Amara.

Her career also included performances abroad, including a visit to Moscow at the invitation of Soviet Defense Minister General Grechko during the era of President Leonid Brezhnev.

Zaki’s funeral is set for Sunday at the Police Mosque in Sheikh Zayed, followed by burial at the family cemetery along the Fayoum Road.

(With files from Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

The post Egyptian belly dance icon Soheir Zaki dies at 81 appeared first on iKurd News.

CAIRO,— Arab foreign ministers on Sunday gave unanimous backing to Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy to become the next secretary general of the Arab League, Egyptian state media said.

He is expected to take over from Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose second term ends in June 2026.

The agreement was reached during a meeting held via video link.

The Arab League charter requires at least a two thirds majority to appoint a secretary general. It does not set a nationality requirement, but Egyptians have usually held the position.

Tunisian diplomat Chedli Klibi was the only non Egyptian to serve in the role, from 1979 to 1990. The trend reflects Cairo hosting the organization’s headquarters.

Fahmy served as Egypt’s foreign minister from June 2013 until July 2014.

He also worked as Egypt’s ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2008 and to Japan from 1997 to 1999.

He is the son of Ismail Fahmy, who served as foreign minister under President Anwar Sadat from 1973 to 1977.

The post Nabil Fahmy named new head of Arab League appeared first on iKurd News.

WASHINGTON,— The U.S. Department of State on Monday instructed American citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries immediately as military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran intensified tensions across the region.

Mora Namdar, assistant secretary for consular affairs at the State Department, said Americans in the affected countries should depart using commercial transportation that remains available.

She cited safety risks as the reason for the directive.

The department recently revised its travel advisories for multiple countries in the region, advising against travel. The latest guidance applies to Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Earlier Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Amman announced that embassy personnel had left the facility because of what it described as a threat. No additional information about the threat was released.

A U.S. official said the State Department has formed an inter agency emergency task force to address the developing situation and coordinate the United States response to the conflict.

On Saturday, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out extensive strikes on various sites in Iran. The operation resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian authorities responded by launching strikes against multiple U.S. and Israeli targets across the region.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the fighting had been projected to last between four and five weeks, but he noted the timeline could extend beyond that estimate.

The conflict has expanded into a broader regional war and has caused numerous deaths. Oil markets reacted after Iranian officials warned they could target ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for global oil shipments.

The warning contributed to rising energy prices.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are expected to announce measures Tuesday aimed at reducing the impact of higher energy costs, Marco Rubio said. Rubio spoke ahead of a briefing with congressional leaders regarding the recent strikes.

“We anticipated this could be an issue, and Secretary Wright and Bessent will begin to roll out those steps, starting tomorrow, to mitigate, to mitigate against the impact that could have,” Rubio said.

Officials said the situation continues to be closely monitored as developments unfold across the region.

(With files from Reuters)

Copyright © 2026 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

The post U.S. urges citizens to leave Middle East immediately appeared first on iKurd News.

Arab Republics? A Modern Identity Hoax

If a country’s name includes ‘Arab,’ it signals that it is not truly an Arab country.

Sara Hussein | Exclusive to iKurd.net

Across the Middle East and North Africa, several countries formally embed “Arab” into their constitutional titles: the Syrian Arab Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and historically Libya (which previously incorporated “Arab” in its official name like Libyan Arab Republic, Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya). Even Saudi Arabia embeds Arab identity directly in the word “Arabia.”

Yet these states are not ethnically homogeneous. Their lands were not historically Arab in origin. Their major cities are often not originally Arabic in name. In several cases, even their demographic realities contradict the ethnic label.

The inclusion of “Arab” in official state titles is not a neutral geographic description. It is a political artifact — a 20th-century nationalist construction that institutionalizes one identity above others.

The Historical Homeland of Arab Tribes

Historically, Arab tribes originated in the Arabian Peninsula , particularly in what is today Saudi Arabia and surrounding Gulf regions. Classical Arab genealogical and linguistic traditions trace early Arab tribal formations to the Peninsula, where Arabic developed as a Semitic language among tribal societies long before the Islamic period. The Arabian Peninsula was therefore the historical core of early Arab tribal identity.

The Levant, Mesopotamia, and North Africa were not originally Arab lands in an ethnic or civilizational sense. They became Arabic-speaking over centuries through conquest, administration, trade, intermarriage, and religious transformation — not because their original populations were ethnically Arab.

Ancient Civilizations Preceded Arab Rule

Long before the 7th-century Arab-Islamic expansions, the regions now labeled as “Arab” states were home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations:

• Syria: Arameans, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans
• Iraq: Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians
• Egypt: Pharaonic civilization stretching back over 5,000 years
• Libya and North Africa: Amazigh (Berber), Greek, Roman cultures
• The Gulf region: Persian, Mesopotamian, and tribal trade networks

Even today, most major city names across these countries are not originally Arabic:

• Syria: Damascus (Aramaic), Aleppo, Homs (Emesa), Latakia (Laodicea, Greek)…
• Iraq: Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Nineveh (Assyrian and Akkadian origins)
• Egypt: Alexandria (Greek), Luxor/Thebes (Egyptian)
• Jordan: Amman (Rabbath Ammon), Petra (Nabataean)
• Libya: Tripoli, Benghazi (Greek, Phoenician)
• Saudi Arabia: Mecca, Yathrib,… names rooted in pre-Islamic and regional histories from Aramaic-Syriac origins.

These names survived because they were deeply rooted long before Arab political dominance. Arab identity was layered onto pre-existing civilizations rather than replacing them entirely.

Speaking Arabic Does Not Automatically Mean Ethnically Arab

A critical distinction is often overlooked: speaking Arabic does not automatically make a population ethnically Arab in origin.

People in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and across North Africa are primarily Arabic-speaking today. But many descend from ancient Mesopotamian, Pharaonic, Amazigh, Levantine, and other indigenous populations. They were culturally and linguistically Arabized over centuries.

Latin America and Spanish Language

The same principle can be seen in Latin America. Spanish is an official language in 20 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and others.

Yet speaking Spanish does not make the population ethnically Spanish. They are primarily indigenous, mestizo, or mixed populations who adopted Spanish through colonial history. They are Spanish-speaking, not Spanish.

Similarly, many populations across the Middle East and North Africa are Arabic-speaking, but that does not make them ethnically Arab.

African Countries and Official Colonial Languages

The same principle applies to African countries with French or English as official languages. French is an official language in 29 African countries, and English is official in many others. This does not mean that people in Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Kenya, or Nigeria are French or English ethnically. They are local populations who speak the language due to historical colonization.

Notice the contrast: no African country officially calls itself the “French Republic of Mali” or the “English Republic of Kenya.” Yet in the Middle East and North Africa, many countries call themselves “Arab Republic of…” or “Arab Kingdom,” even when the majority of the population is not ethnically Arab. This highlights the political, not demographic, motivation for using “Arab” in official state names.

Arabization Was Cultural — Not Total Ethnic Replacement

Following the 7th-century expansions, Arabic became the administrative and religious language of expanding Islamic empires. Over centuries:

• Aramaic declined in the Levant
• Coptic declined in Egypt
• Indigenous North African languages were marginalized
• Administrative systems adopted Arabic

However, linguistic Arabization did not mean that entire populations were replaced. Societies remained multi-ethnic:

• Kurds in Syria and Iraq (Kurdistan)
• Assyrians and Chaldeans in Mesopotamia
• Copts in Egypt
• Amazigh in Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria
• Druze, Alawites, Armenians, Yazidis

Modern states labeled “Arab” are in reality multi-ethnic societies with layered identities.

The 20th-Century Nationalist Project

The embedding of “Arab” into official country names was largely a 20th-century political decision influenced by Pan-Arabism after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

Arab nationalism served several purposes:

1. Unifying fragmented territories after colonial rule
2. Creating regional solidarity
3. Strengthening centralized state authority
4. Suppressing separatist or minority movements

This was not an ancient naming tradition. It was modern state-building.

The UAE: A Demographic Contrast

The United Arab Emirates illustrates how symbolic the label can be.

2025 estimates:

• Total population: ~11.3 million
• Emirati nationals: ~1.3 million (~11.5%)
• Foreign residents: ~10 million+ (~88.5%)

English dominates commerce. Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, and other languages shape daily life. The economy depends heavily on expatriate labor.

The majority of residents are not ethnically Arab nationals. Yet the state name emphasizes “Arab” identity, reflecting the heritage of ruling families rather than the demographic composition of the country.

Structural Problems With Ethnic State Naming

1. It Marginalizes Minorities

Constitutionally embedding one ethnic identity can symbolically exclude others.

2. It Misrepresents History

These lands were not originally Arab in civilizational origin.

3. It Institutionalizes Ethnic Nationalism

Modern states increasingly define themselves by citizenship, not ethnicity.

4. It Creates Identity Hierarchies

Names shape perception. A neutral civic title emphasizes shared belonging.

Conclusion

Arab tribes historically emerged in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in what is now Saudi Arabia. Over centuries, Arabic language and culture spread far beyond that region.

But the historical origin of Arab identity does not automatically define the foundational identity of every Arabic-speaking country today.

Embedding “Arab” into constitutional state names transforms a cultural and linguistic identity into an institutional hierarchy.

In diverse societies with layered histories, civic identity provides a more inclusive framework than ethnic labeling.

A modern state can honor Arabic language and culture without constitutionally defining itself through a single inherited ethnic category.

If a country’s name contains “Arab,” it usually signals that it is not truly an Arab country, and the term was often added to give it an Arab identity artificially. Likewise, a country labeled “Islamic” does not mean it is fully Muslim; the name is often a political or symbolic gesture rather than an accurate reflection of the population.

Sara Hussein, a Kurdish writer living abroad, she focuses on politics, culture, and religion. She is a contributing writer for iKurd.net.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

Copyright © 2026 iKurd.net. All rights reserved

The post Why “Arab” should be removed from Middle Eastern state names appeared first on iKurd News.

WASHINGTON,— The United States on Tuesday formally designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as global terrorist organizations, a step that triggers sanctions against a movement that has shaped Islamist politics across the Middle East for nearly a century.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the three branches were added to its list of specially designated global terrorists after a review process that began late last year.

The designation blocks access to U.S. financial systems and restricts transactions involving American individuals or companies.

American officials said the decision was linked to allegations that the groups have backed Hamas, the Palestinian militant group rooted in Gaza.

The Treasury said the branches had supported or encouraged acts of violence targeting Israel and allies of the United States.

In its statement, the department said the organizations claim to operate as lawful social or civic bodies while maintaining ties to armed groups. It said this dual structure allows them to advance extremist causes under a civilian cover.

Egypt’s government quickly welcomed the U.S. move. The Foreign Ministry said the designation reflects the seriousness of the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology and its impact on security at both regional and international levels.

The Muslim Brotherhood rose to power in Egypt after the 2011 uprising and secured the presidency in elections held in 2012. Its time in office was short.

In 2013, the military intervened following mass protests, removing the Brotherhood-led government. Authorities have since banned the group and pursued wide-ranging legal action against its members.

Hamas traces its origins to the Muslim Brotherhood. Founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising, Hamas emerged as the Palestinian wing of the Brotherhood and later combined political activity with an armed campaign against Israel.

Qatar is routinely accused of supporting and funding Muslim Brotherhood groups. It is also home to many of the top Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including Hamas’ senior leaders.

Turkey is also considered a headquarters for Muslim Brotherhood groups.

The Muslim Brotherhood, formally known as the Society of the Muslim Brothers, was founded in Egypt in 1928 by Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna. Over decades, his ideas spread beyond Egypt and influenced a wide range of Islamist movements, from charities to political parties.

The organization began as a religious and social movement focused on preaching Islam, education and welfare services such as hospitals and businesses.

It later entered politics, opposing British colonial rule in Egypt and promoting the establishment of a state governed by Islamic law.

U.S. officials said the latest designations aim to curb what they view as the misuse of social and political networks to support militant causes.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

The post US designates three Muslim Brotherhood branches as global terrorists appeared first on iKurd News.

CAIRO,— Egyptian actress Somaya al-Alfi died on Saturday morning at the age of 72 at a hospital in Cairo after a long illness, according to Egyptian media reports.

Al-Alfi was born on July 23, 1953, in Sharqia Governorate. She later moved to Cairo, where she completed her secondary education before enrolling in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology.

Her academic background preceded her entry into the performing arts, which began during her years at university.

In previous television interviews, al-Alfi spoke about her early life and family background. She said her father was strict and closely monitored her activities. Despite this, she became involved in acting through university theater productions, which later opened the door to professional opportunities.

According to her statements on the television program al-Sira, hosted by Egyptian media figure Wafaa al-Kilany, al-Alfi participated in several stage performances while studying.

During one performance of a university play titled Love of Egypt, she was seen by the late writer Lenin al-Ramly and his wife, Fatima al-Maadoul. Following the performance, al-Maadoul offered al-Alfi a role in the play Cinderella at the Child Culture Center.

While working on that production, al-Alfi met actor Farouk al-Fishawy, who was also part of the cast. Their professional collaboration developed into a personal relationship that later resulted in marriage.

al-Alfi’s television career began after her work in theater. She gained wider recognition through her participation in the television series Rihlat al-Milyon, in which she starred alongside Egyptian actor Mohamed Sobhi.

She portrayed the character Nesma, a role that became one of her early television highlights.

Following news of her death, Sobhi issued a statement mourning her passing. He recalled their collaboration in Rihlat al-Milyon and in the film Ali Bey Mazhar and 40 Thieves, and offered condolences to her family, according to local media.

Throughout her personal life, al-Alfi was married four times. Her most notable marriage was to actor Farouk al-Fishawy.

Her other marriages were to composer Mody al-Imam, director Gamal Abdel Hamid, and singer Medhat Saleh.

Her marriage to al-Fishawy produced two sons, actor Ahmed al-Fishawy and his brother Omar. The marriage lasted 16 years before ending in divorce.

In multiple interviews, al-Alfi described the separation as a difficult decision, noting that the couple divorced three times before the marriage fully ended.

In a television interview with media personality Omar al-Leithy, al-Alfi said that betrayal was among the reasons for the divorce.

She explained that she distinguished between physical infidelity and emotional involvement, stating that emotional betrayal was more difficult for her to accept.

In a separate interview aired in 2022, al-Alfi said she had not fully adjusted to the decision to divorce, even years later.

Al-Alfi appeared in numerous television dramas that became widely known to Egyptian audiences.

Her most prominent roles included appearances in Layali al-Helmiya as Princess Nourhan, al-Rayah al-Bayda, Bawabat al-Halawani, al-Attar wa al-Sab‘ Banat, al-Qaridati, Fuqara’ Lakinna Sa‘ada’, al-Tufan, al-Aqdar, Qitar Muntasaf al-Layl, Mirath al-Rih, La Anam, Shati’ al-Kharif, and Sanawat al-Ghorba.

In cinema, she appeared in the film Ali Bey Mazhar and 40 Thieves alongside Mohamed Sobhi.

Her final public appearance was at the filming location of the movie Safah al-Tagamo‘, where she attended to watch her son Ahmed al-Fishawy during production, according to Egyptian media.

The Actors’ Syndicate announced her death in a statement issued Saturday. The syndicate, led by Ashraf Zaki, extended condolences to al-Alfi’s family and acknowledged her contributions to Egyptian drama and theater.

(With files from BBC | Agencies)

Copyright © 2025 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

The post Egyptian actress Somaya al-Alfi died at the age of 72 appeared first on iKurd News.

JERUSALEM,— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel has approved a major natural gas export agreement with Egypt valued at about $35 billion, calling it the largest gas deal ever signed by the country.

According to Netanyahu, the agreement will allow Israel to export natural gas from its offshore Leviathan field to Egypt over a period of 15 years.

The gas will be delivered by U.S.-based energy company Chevron, which holds a significant ownership stake in the Mediterranean gas reservoir. Israeli officials said roughly half of the revenue from the deal is expected to flow into Israel’s state budget.

In a televised address, Netanyahu said he had formally approved the deal, which totals 112 billion shekels, or approximately $34.7 billion.

He said the agreement strengthens Israel’s standing as an energy supplier in the region and contributes to broader regional stability.

Chevron confirmed it welcomed Israel’s decision to grant a permit allowing exports of natural gas to Egypt. A company spokesperson said the approval clears the way for further development of the Leviathan reservoir.

Chevron previously said in November that it was close to making a final investment decision to expand production at Leviathan but was waiting for authorization from Israeli authorities to export gas to Egypt.

With the permit now approved, the expansion is expected to move forward.

Under the agreement, the Leviathan field, which holds an estimated 600 billion cubic meters of natural gas, will supply about 130 billion cubic meters to Egypt through 2040 or until the full contract value is met, according to a statement from NewMed, one of the field’s partners.

The gas agreement comes amid broader regional developments. Egypt, which shares borders with Israel and Gaza, has played a central role as a mediator between Israel and the radical Islamist militant group Hamas.

Egyptian officials were involved in talks leading up to a ceasefire brokered by the United States in October.

Relations between Israel and Egypt have faced strain during the two-year conflict in Gaza, and analysts say the gas deal could help stabilize ties between the two governments by deepening economic cooperation.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen had previously held up approval of the deal, saying the terms offered did not give Israel enough advantage or benefit.

His objections led U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to cancel a planned visit to Israel in October.

On Wednesday, however, Cohen appeared alongside Netanyahu during the announcement and said he supported the final version of the agreement.

Israel began developing its offshore gas resources in the early 2000s after discovering large reserves beneath the Mediterranean Sea. It started exporting natural gas nearly a decade ago, first supplying Jordan and later Egypt.

In a separate announcement on Wednesday, Israel’s Defense Ministry said German lawmakers approved an expansion of a defense procurement agreement involving Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system.

The revised deal increases its value from $3.5 billion to $6.5 billion, making it the largest defense export agreement in Israel’s history.

Germany has pursued the Arrow 3 system as part of efforts to strengthen its air defense capabilities in response to security concerns linked to Russia.

Meanwhile, Egypt has faced declining domestic gas production since 2022. The downturn forced Cairo to abandon plans to become a regional gas export hub and increase its reliance on Israeli supplies to cover its energy needs.

(With files from AP | Reuters)

Copyright © 2025 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

The post Israel approves biggest-ever $35 billion gas export deal to Egypt appeared first on iKurd News.

CAIRO,— Egypt has opened the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, a massive new complex near the Giza Pyramids designed to showcase the nation’s ancient treasures and reinforce its role as a global tourism hub.

The inauguration on Saturday came with a display of pharaonic imagery and a high-tech drone show that illuminated the sky with depictions of ancient deities and pyramids.

The event marked the culmination of a project that has been in progress for nearly twenty years, delayed by political and economic turmoil.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who presided over the ceremony attended by world leaders and royal families from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, described the museum as a new chapter in cultural dialogue.

He told guests the site should serve as “a platform for knowledge and a symbol of humanity’s shared heritage.”

Construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, began in 2005 during the presidency of Hosni Mubarak.

The project, valued at around $1 billion, was repeatedly postponed after the 2011 uprising and subsequent unrest. Work resumed under el-Sissi’s administration as part of a broader drive to modernize infrastructure and revive tourism, a key source of foreign currency.

Located two kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, the vast facility spans over 24,000 square meters of exhibition space.

Officials say it will display about 50,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of objects found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun — presented together for the first time since their discovery in 1922.

The new building, with a glass façade echoing the geometry of nearby pyramids, replaces the century-old Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, which had become overcrowded and outdated.

Visitors enter the museum through a large atrium dominated by a granite statue of Ramses the Great, who ruled from 1279 to 1213 B.C. Twelve main galleries trace Egypt’s civilization from prehistoric times through the Greco-Roman period, organized by historical themes.

Two newly opened halls are devoted to the treasures of King Tutankhamun, the boy pharaoh who reigned in the 14th century B.C. The display features his golden throne, funerary beds, chariots, and the iconic gold-and-lapis burial mask that has become a symbol of ancient Egypt.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s best-known archaeologist and former antiquities minister, called the Tutankhamun collection “the heart of the museum,” saying it would attract millions of visitors.

Saturday night’s ceremony featured orchestral music, performances inspired by ancient rituals, and hundreds of drones forming images of gods such as Isis and Osiris.

Leaders from more than 70 nations attended, including royal representatives from Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Jordan, and Japan.

Officials compared the international gathering to the 1869 opening of the Suez Canal, which drew European royalty to Egypt more than a century ago.

Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said the GEM could attract up to 5 million visitors annually, potentially placing it among the world’s most visited museums. In comparison, the Louvre in Paris recorded 8.7 million visitors in 2024.

Authorities hope the museum’s opening will drive economic recovery by extending visitor stays and increasing spending.

The government has also improved transport links, including new highways and the nearby Sphinx International Airport, roughly 40 minutes from central Cairo.

According to official data, Egypt received a record 15.7 million tourists in 2024, contributing about 8 percent of its gross domestic product. Fathy said the country expects 18 million visitors this year and hopes to reach 30 million by 2032.

Tourism expert Walid el-Batouty said the museum would generate broad economic benefits. “Every dollar spent by a tourist — in a hotel, in a taxi, even for a bottle of water — strengthens the economy,” he said.

With the Grand Egyptian Museum now open, Egypt aims to position its ancient past at the center of its modern future.

(With files from AP)

Copyright © 2025 iKurd.net. All rights reserved

The post Egypt opens massive new museum honoring ancient civilization appeared first on iKurd News.

iKurd.net | Report from The Arrow Channel

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, millions of refugees crossed into neighboring states and were received with housing, aid and schools. Syrians displaced by war were absorbed by Turkey in large numbers, while Venezuela’s collapse saw Colombia and Peru admit migrants by the millions.

The war in Gaza has produced a similar humanitarian crisis, with nearly two million people uprooted, according to United Nations agencies. But this time, Arab states have kept their borders closed.

Egypt reinforced its frontier with Gaza with tanks and walls. Jordan’s King Abdullah II called admitting refugees a “red line.” Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others offered rhetoric but no entry. Behind the policy is a fear shared by most Arab governments: Hamas and other Islamist extremists.

Militancy overshadows humanitarian needs

While Palestinians share language and religion with their neighbors, their leadership in Gaza is dominated by Hamas, an armed Islamist group rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood and supported by Iran. Governments across the region see the danger of importing militancy.

Egypt has fought a long-running Islamist insurgency in Sinai. Officials in Cairo fear that opening Rafah would allow Hamas operatives to slip across the border and destabilize an already volatile region. Jordan, which has a majority Palestinian population, worries that further inflows would strengthen extremist factions and threaten the monarchy’s grip.

Even wealthy Gulf states remain wary. For them, taking in large numbers of displaced people from Gaza would mean importing a radical movement tied to Iran and to transnational Islamist networks that threaten domestic stability.

Historical suspicion

This suspicion has roots in the history of the Palestinian issue. After Israel’s creation in 1948, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced. Neighboring states hosted them in camps but denied citizenship, citing the “right of return.”

In the 1960s, Palestinian groups like the Palestine Liberation Organization emerged, seeking independence from Arab regimes. But many of those organizations soon developed paramilitary wings. In Jordan, their power grab led to a bloody clash in 1970 known as Black September. Thousands were killed, and the PLO was expelled.

When the PLO moved to Lebanon, armed factions entrenched themselves in refugee camps and southern towns. Their presence upset Lebanon’s delicate balance and contributed to a civil war that lasted 15 years. For many in the region, the lesson was clear: where Palestinian militants set up bases, instability followed.

Gulf War fallout

By the early 1990s, mistrust deepened further. During Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, PLO leader Yasser Arafat sided with Saddam Hussein, a decision seen by many Arab states as a betrayal. A significant portion of the Palestinian community in Kuwait reportedly turned against the Kuwaiti population, and some supported or assisted Iraqi forces during the occupation, further straining relations and fueling mass expulsions after Kuwait was liberated.

After Kuwait’s liberation, nearly 400,000 Palestinians were expelled. To this day, Gulf governments cite that episode as evidence that Palestinian factions often act against their hosts’ interests.

Extremism over diplomacy

In more recent years, Hamas’s alignment with Iran has cemented Arab governments’ opposition. Tehran provides weapons and funding, using Hamas as a proxy against Israel. For Sunni-majority Arab states, this makes Hamas part of the same regional threat as Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias.

The Abraham Accords in 2020 demonstrated how far priorities have shifted. Several Arab states normalized relations with Israel, openly setting aside Palestinian demands. For these governments, the greater danger now lies in Islamist extremism and Iranian expansion, not in confronting Israel.

Present crisis

When Hamas Islamist fighters stormed into Israel in October 2023, killing and sexually assaulting civilians and taking 251 hostages, including women and children, they triggered a devastating war. The consequences for Palestinians in Gaza were immediate.

Nearly 80 percent of the Gaza population was displaced within weeks, according to UN reports. Families crowded into makeshift shelters with little or no access to food, water, or electricity.

Still, Arab governments rejected calls to admit refugees. Officials in Cairo, Amman and Riyadh argue that doing so would reward Hamas by allowing its fighters to blend into refugee flows, while simultaneously giving Israel an excuse to depopulate Gaza.

Popular anger on the streets tells a different story. Demonstrations in capitals across the region expressed solidarity with civilians. But Arab governments have made their position clear: Palestinian Islamist extremists are viewed as a destabilizing threat, and their presence is not welcome inside Arab states.

Seventy-five years after the Nakba, Palestinians remain stateless. But unlike in past wars, regional governments now frame their refusal not only in terms of politics or demographics, but in the conviction that Hamas and other militant groups have turned the Palestinian issue from a national struggle into an exportable security risk.

(With files from The Arrow Channel YT)

Copyright © 2025 iKurd.net. All rights reserved

Why Muslim refugees turn to Europe over rich Arab Muslim countries: Video

The post Why Palestinian refugees find no welcome anywhere appeared first on iKurd News.