Hey there,

Can you feel the Ramadan wave slowly rolling in? With just a few weeks to go, some are already setting their intentions for the holy month, while others are calculating exactly how many hours of sleep they can squeeze in before iftar. As Ramadan approaches, there is no better time to reflect on why Quranic recitation has long been an integral part of Egyptian culture and the Muslim world at large.

Throughout history, women have also played a vital role in this tradition. One such figure was Sheikha Munira Abdou, who rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s and made history in 1934, at just 32 years old, by becoming the first woman to recite the Quran on Egyptian national radio. We hope you enjoy reading.

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.

Support our work and subscribe by clicking here.

Spotlight

Meet Mohammed El Hajoui

Moroccan artist Mohammed El Hajoui invites us into his memories, his culture, and the stories that shaped him. For him, art is a living, breathing space that holds emotion, memory, and a deep sense of belonging. In his powerful 3D installations, El Hajoui blends past and present, reviving the subtle beauty of Arab indigenous traditions that risk being forgotten.

As someone who grew up surrounded by rich cultural rituals, from the intricate patterns of carpets to the welcoming portals of traditional homes, he brings these elements to life in ways that feel both personal and universal. His work celebrates the small things that speak loudly about Arab life, like the significance of a door that opens not just a space, but a gesture of hospitality, and makes us slow down and feel what those moments mean. Discover his work here.

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

Women Recite

Quranic recitation can touch us in ways we cannot quite pinpoint or explain. Whether it’s the call to prayer that stops us mid-day or a familiar verse whispered by a loved one at night, these moments slow us down and connect us to something deeper than the rush of everyday life. The Quran was meant to be heard and felt, not just read on a page. Its verses flow like the ocean, revealing layers of meaning in every pause and repetition.

This is why generations have turned to recitation as a way to live with the words, not just learn them. Part of this legacy comes from a long tradition of blind reciters whose voices carried the Qur’an with unmatched devotion. Because they experienced the world through sound and memory, many became beloved for the depth and sensitivity of their recitations. Icons like Sheikh Muhammad Rifat, who memorized the entire Quran as a child despite losing his sight, and Sheikha Munira Abdou, who broke barriers as one of the first female reciters on Egyptian radio, helped shape this rich heritage.

Read the article here.

The Story of a Rebel

El-Sheikh Emam’s voice was a companion across generations and continents. From the crackly sound of his oud playing in the backseat of a family car to childhood memories shared in homes, his songs have been a constant echo in many people’s lives. Born in 1918 into humble circumstances and made blind by illness as a child, Emam memorised the Qur’an and learning musical maqamat laid the foundation for his later art. His journey took him from reciting sacred verses to mastering the oud and stepping into the world as a musician with a heart that listened deeply and spoke boldly.

Read the article here.

What to Read

99 Names of Allah

This Wazifa card deck introduces the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah, each one describing a different quality of God, like mercy, wisdom, protection, and love. Using the cards makes learning the Names easy and personal. You can read them, reflect on their meanings, and practice wazifa by softly repeating their sounds. It turns remembrance into a simple, everyday practice. It invites you to pause, connect, and build a relationship with God through In a busy world, these cards can be a gentle way to stay grounded and spiritually present.

Read more here.

What to Listen to

Cheba Mami

As Morocco celebrates its powerful run to the AFCON final, it feels like the perfect moment to slip fully into the Moroccan mood. And there’s no better soundtrack for that feeling than artists like Cheba Maria, whose music carries a certain energy. Her songs are playful yet defiant, laced with attitude, confidence, and just the right amount of sass. Blending modern Raï with sharp lyrics and infectious rhythms, Cheba Maria gives voice to a generation that dances, speaks, and celebrates on its own terms.

Read more here.

What to Watch

No Other Choice

No Other Choice is a darkly funny but deeply unsettling Korean film that holds up a mirror to the harsh realities of today’s working world. At its heart is Mansu, a long–time factory worker whose identity, dignity, and sense of worth are all tied to having a job. When he’s suddenly laid off and forced into cringe-worthy, humiliating interviews, his desperation grows so intense that he goes to extreme lengths just to secure work, even imagining violent and absurd solutions to outdo other candidates. The film matters because it speaks to something many people feel but rarely talk about openly, which is how modern systems can strip away a person’s confidence, reduce them to a number, and make the search for work feel like a humiliating battle.

Watch it here.

What to Eat

Mandarine Koueider Deli

If you believe breakfast deserves respect, then Mandarine Koueider Deli is where your morning should begin. This is the kind of place that convinces you to wake up earlier than planned, and willingly. From flaky pastries to coffee strong enough to emotionally prepare you for Cairo traffic, everything hits just right. Their best-selling dishes are also Plain Basbousa, 1/4 Kilo Baladi Eshta, Plain Konafa, and Berry Yogurt Ice Cream Torte.

Find out more here.

What to Visit

Book Fair 2026

There are plenty of reasons to go to the Cairo Book Fair this year, but chief among them is the chance to detox your brain from endless scrolling and constant online noise. With the world feeling like a full-blown circus right now, choosing to sit quietly with a book, a cup of tea, and no notifications buzzing is a small act of defiance. In a time that demands our attention at every second, slowing down, reading, and tuning everything else out might just be the most rebellious thing you can do.

Find out more here.

'Umm Kulthum & Fairuz'

If you’re looking for a night that hits all the right notes, ‘Umm Kulthum & Fairuz’ Tribute Night at Room Art Space is where you want to be. It’s your chance to sing along (or at least hum proudly) to the songs you’ve always loved, the classics that have been the soundtrack to weddings, late-night drives, and quiet afternoons alike. The energy is warm, the music is magical, and the whole evening feels like a cozy celebration of two legends who somehow never go out of style.

Find out more here.

Saudi Spotlight

Art Biennale 2026

The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale returns in 2026 with a theme that treats art as something constantly in motion. Titled In Interludes and Transitions, it runs from 30 January to 2 May 2, at the JAX District in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The third edition of the Biennale brings together artists, performers, writers, and musicians from around the world to explore how ideas, cultures, and stories travel across time and place.

The Biennale, a large-scale contemporary art exhibition held every two years, draws its poetic framework, In Interludes and Transitions, from a phrase rooted in nomadic life, referring to the moments of pause and movement between one settlement and another. Rather than focusing on destinations, the theme centers on the journey itself, and the shifts, crossings, and in-between states that shape human experience. 

Read more here.