Hey there,

It’s here at last. Our yearly roundup of the most inspiring Egyptians of the year, as cliché as that might sound. Honestly, it’s hard to feel truly inspired these days with everything happening around the globe, so it’s always a breath of fresh air to stumble upon some good news.

Plus, we’ve thrown in some of the top songs and films of 2025, just in case you’re looking for some extra entertainment to wrap up the year, or if you’re planning to chill indoors on New Year’s Eve. Either way, we’ve got you covered.

We hope you enjoy reading!

Warm regards,

Mirna Abdulaal

The time and effort behind this newsletter come from the Egyptian Streets team of independent, grassroots journalists. By subscribing for just USD 1.66 per month (EGP 80), or as little as USD 0.84 per month (EGP 40) for students (paid annually), you’re directly supporting the creation of content like this and helping sustain independent media in Egypt.

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Spotlight

Meet Shurooq Amin

Born to a Kuwaiti father and a Syrian mother, mixed-media interdisciplinary artist Shurooq Amin’s 2012 series “It’s a Man’s World” is still relevant to this day, as it explores the layers of a patriarchal society and the other side of Middle Eastern society: men. As the first Kuwaiti female artist to show her work at the Venice Biennale, and the first Kuwaiti to be nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize in 20017, Amin’s main purpose is to drive positive change in society and to speak openly about social issues using symbolism and motifs. Discover her work here.

Speaking to Egyptian Streets, Shurooq shared more about her work below:

What do your paintings in It’s A Man’s World explore?

If you study the paintings, you will find that some are more intricate with their nuances than others; for example, in It’s a Man’s World, the painting I Like Him I Like Her is clearly about bisexuality and fluidity in the Arab world, but on closer inspection it is also about adultery, inter-racial relationships, and the hypocritical nature of life for men in a modern Muslim society.

Are there particular emotions that guide or influence you while painting?

The truth is, I love peace and calm because it puts me in the right state to create authentic artwork, and this is always reflected in my paintings.

What inspired you to address these themes in your art?

I address the current political dilemma and parody the concept of merging religion with politics; such a society cannot exist without double standards, hypocrisy, and secret private lives. This hypocrisy, of course, as explored in my previous series Society Girls, is not the sole possession of men in the Middle East. After all, we are, by the very nature of our traumatized culture, a society that cannot exist without this hypocrisy.

Why is art a powerful medium for these topics?

My characters are taking their rights and, because human nature is what it is, they are taking them to the extremes, because that’s what people do when they are forbidden from something. The paintings merely serve as a mirror reflecting two paradoxical societies co-existing, utilizing socio-cultural images as socio-political tropes.

Merch Drop

^{Limited-Edition Merch Drop}

Early access for Egyptian Streets’ first ever limited edition merch drop is ending soon! The merch was created in collaboration with four independent Egyptian artists whose work brings everyday Egypt to life in original, meaningful ways. You can now secure a tote, tee, art print or sweater featuring designs by Amira Tanany, Toka El Sayed, Nada Abouelmaati and Seham Sultan.

The Early Access window is currently available for global audiences only. A dedicated Egypt-based launch will follow soon, with local pricing and production being finalized to ensure affordability and availability inside Egypt.

Check out the collection and learn more about the artists here.

Feature

^{People of the Year 2025}

The Egyptian Streets People of the Year is not a popularity list, nor a ranking of power or wealth. It is an editorial reflection on the individuals (and institutions) who helped shape how Egypt looked, felt, and moved through 2025.

Our selections span culture, science, sport, business, humanitarian work, and public life. Some names are widely known; others operate far from the spotlight. What connects them is impact, measured not only in awards or visibility, but in contribution, integrity, and influence.

Egypt is not one story. It is many, unfolding at once. This list is our attempt to capture that complexity, to honour excellence, and to document a year through the people who defined it.

Read the article here.

What to Read

^{Prayer of Anxiety}

Mohamed Samir Nada is slowly becoming one of the most powerful voices in contemporary Arabic literature, and 2025 is the year that confirmed his place on the global stage. This year, he won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), often called the Arabic Booker, for his novel The Prayer of Anxiety (2024), making him the first Egyptian author to receive the honor since 2009.

The novel, published by Tunisian press Masciliana after several Egyptian publishers initially passed on it, was chosen from over a hundred submissions. Set in the fictional Upper Egyptian village of Nag’ Al-Manassi, which translates to “the village of forgetfulness,” the book unfolds through eight character testimonies, each beginning with a nightmare and dreamlike awakening. 

Its villagers live in a reality caught between misinformation and fear, believing they remain at war decades after 1967, controlled by a local authority figure who feeds them curated news and maintains the illusion of conflict.

When a mysterious object falls from the sky and illness spreads, the village sheikh invents a new ritual, the “Prayer of Anxiety,” symbolizing desperate attempts to find meaning and solace amid chaos.

Read more here.

What to Listen to

^{BTOAAF LEH}

You’ve probably heard the TikTok sound “Ana esmy Ziad Zaza” (“My name is Ziad Zaza”), and you may have also spotted him in the recent series Midterm (2025). 

In many ways, Ziad Zaza has become one of 2025’s most talked-about musicians. But beyond the hype, he stands out as a rising star of his generation, with the potential to grow into something far bigger than the familiar contours of Egyptian shaabi, pushing the genre past its traditional folk-meets-electro sound. 

BTOAAF LEH (Why Does it Stop, 2025) shows a much softer side of Zaza. The song is calm and reflective, and its music video, shot in a village in Fayoum, keeps things simple and genuine. 

Instead of flashy visuals, we see people swimming, laughing, and moving freely in their own space. We chose Ziad Zaza not just because he stood out this year, but because he shows us that music can be honest without being loud, and powerful without being polished.

Read more here.

What to Watch

^{The Voice of Hind Rajab}

On January 29, 2024, volunteers from the Red Crescent were alerted to a distress call from Gaza: a six-year-old girl named Hind Rajab was stranded inside a car caught in active gunfire, desperately asking for help. As responders struggled to keep her calm over the phone, every effort was made to reach her location and send an ambulance in time.

Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania (Four Daughters), the film reconstructs Hind’s story through a powerful blend of real audio recordings and dramatized scenes, centering on both the child at the heart of the tragedy and the first responders racing against impossible odds to save her.

The film is now screening at Zawya Cinema and in Egyptian cinemas.

Watch it in Egypt here.

What to Eat

^{Cafe Frais}

Perched high atop the Novotel, right next to the iconic Cairo Tower in Zamalek, lies the stunning rooftop spot, Cafe Frais! From here, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the Nile, the Qasr el Nil Bridge, and even the Cairo Museum and Tahrir Square in the distance.

It’s the perfect place to soak in the skyline while enjoying some seriously amazing food. The menu has it all, such as delicious Egyptian specialties and classic international dishes that’ll satisfy any craving. Whether you’re in the mood for a local favorite or something more familiar, Cafe Frais has something for everyone!

Find out more here.

What to Visit

^{NYE | Saint Levant & Notre Dame}

Start 2026 off right at Cubix in El Gouna! Venture Lifestyle & P+US are throwing an epic New Year’s Eve party, with Saint Levant, Notre Dame, and Wass taking the stage.

Saint Levant’s performance is going to be unreal, mixing rap, R&B, and sounds from all over the world. His music breaks down language barriers and brings a whole new energy to the night. Notre Dame and Wass are also on deck, adding their own unique vibes to make this one of those nights where East meets West, and music just connects with you. It’s gonna be a wild way to ring in the new year!

Find out more here.

^{Omar Khairat}

Kick off 2026 in style at the Cairo Opera House with an amazing concert by the legendary Omar Khairat. Famous for mixing classical, jazz, and Arabic music, Khairat’s performance will be full of emotion and stunning melodies. From his famous piano pieces to beautiful orchestral music, the night will take you on a musical journey.

Find out more here.

Saudi Spotlight

^{Underground Drifting Legacy}

Hajwalah did not begin with race teams or corporate money. It grew out of a very specific collision of time and place. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the Kingdom built long, straight highways at the same moment that a very young population was coming of age, with cheap petrol, rising car ownership, and very few formal entertainment outlets.

Read more here.