Party Headquarters: I found the headquarters of the
Freedom and Justice Party, which is not that far from me. This party, an Islamist political party, is that of Egypt's current president and made up most of the membership of the People's Assembly, before it was disbanded. The party is nominally independent, but has strong links to the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, the largest and best-organized political group in Egypt. I had tea with a party representative with promises of an interview with a female member. Hopefully, it will happen before too long–the Eid formally starts in two days; but some people are beginning travel plans or family festivities sooner.
Eid al-Adha, عيد الأضحى, or Feast of the Sacrifice: This is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to honor the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God, before God interceded to provide him with a sheep to sacrifice instead. Across the world Muslims celebrate the holiday by sacrificing an animal, which is then shared with family, friends and others in the community. In Cairo, thousands of Muslims attend a prayer service early in the morning before heading home to prepare for the feast later in the day. Around the city in preparation, the slaughtering of animals, mostly sheep, goats and cows, becomes a public event outside butcher shops and homes. The Eid al-Adha begins in the evening of Thursday, October 25, and ends in the evening of Friday, October 26. However, the Fulbright office will be closed beginning October 23, reopening only on October 30. Egypt's publicly-owned banks and stock exchange are to close for four days to mark the Eid al-Adha holiday, closing on Thursday, October 25, and reopening the following Monday, October 29.
Freedom and Justice Party newspaper office on Al Manyal (Rhoda) Island, where I went first. Got served hibiscus tea, my favorite.
Shop that covers the meat (rare); usually the loins are left to hang stripped and bare in the open air.
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