Hey there,

First of all, happy New Year. Still, 2026 did not arrive gently. It came in loud, shaped by news of U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on Venezuela, alongside renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

In Egypt, amid this uneasy global moment, a new film has been making waves. The Atheist, a release once expected to be banned, was ultimately given the green light and is now screening across cinemas nationwide. At its core, the film is less about disbelief and more about loss, and about what happens when faith is slowly stripped away by the very people meant to nurture it.

We hope you enjoy reading!

Warm regards,

Mirna Abdulaal

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Spotlight

Meet Marian Mekhail

A deep love for Egypt is the force that has always shaped her work. It runs through her blood, informing how she expresses herself and how she understands the world around her. For Dallas-based contemporary Egyptian artist Marian Mekhail, this connection became a calling after reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a moment that pushed her to dedicate her practice to translating the soul of Egypt onto canvas.

Alongside this devotion to place, Mekhail is deeply committed to reexamining gender roles and contributing to contemporary feminist discourse. In her work, women are not supporting figures but protagonists, intentionally challenging long-standing patriarchal narratives. This vision comes to life in works such as Omens, which features Isis, the goddess of life and healing; Damsel in Distress, portraying Hathor, goddess of love and fertility; and Starstruck Lovers, a gender-swapped reimagining of Ramses’ encounter with Hathor in the afterlife. Discover her work here.

Speaking to Egyptian Streets, Marian shared more about her work in this article.

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

^{Atheists in Muslim Countries}

Atheists in Muslim-majority countries often find themselves caught in a space between being seen and being pushed aside. In many parts of the Middle East and North Africa, both religious institutions and authoritarian governments share a fear of anything that challenges established beliefs, and atheism sits at the heart of that unease. Because questioning faith can be seen as a challenge to social or political order, non-belief is often treated not just as a personal choice, but as a threat.

In fact, there are several contradicting verses on atheists and nonbelievers in the Quran. There are verses in the Quran such as “there is no compulsion in religion,” which emphasizes the freedom of choice. However, there are other verses in the Quran that argue otherwise such as “fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and his messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the scripture (Jews and Christians).”

Read the article here.

What to Read

^{Cairo Circles}

Sherif, or as everyone calls him Sheero, is an NYU student who is finally tasting freedom in New York, far away from the constant scrutiny of his conservative family back in Egypt. He’s enjoying independence, making his own choices, and living a life that feels entirely his. Then one day, the FBI shows up at his door. At first, he assumes there’s been some kind of mistake, until they show him a photo of his cousin, Amir.

That’s the moment everything shifts. Amir has carried out a devastating attack, and suddenly Sheero is pulled back into a past he thought he had left behind. He’s forced to return to Cairo and reckon with how two cousins who once shared everything ended up on such radically different paths.

Cairo Circles traces the lives of these six young Egyptians over more than a decade, showing how their relationships evolve and fracture under the weight of class, faith, tradition, and the limits placed on personal freedom. It’s a story about proximity and distance, and about how people can grow up side by side yet live entirely different lives.

Read more here.

What to Listen to

^Samra

If you haven’t yet discovered Babylone, the Algerian music group, now is the perfect time to explore their incredible sound. Their song Zina, sampled in this collaboration with Palestinian artist Saint Levant, captures the essence of Algerian music beautifully. Listening to it feels like being transported to a vast white desert, where the atmosphere is mystical, serene, and almost magical. The guitar and the song’s melodies are the only things you can hear, and truly feel. It’s an absolutely stunning piece of music.

Read more here.

What to Watch

^{The Atheist}

Where does one find God when He cannot be found within the walls of their own home? Where does faith exist beyond mosques and radio stations, within the quiet acts of caring for a patient, supporting a mother, completing daily work, or sitting in silence while speaking to God inwardly? The Atheist seeks to answer these questions, not by turning to traditional expressions of religion, but by discovering God through the personal, lived journey of everyday life.

Watch it in Egypt here.

What to Eat

^Kazlak

What does this look like? It looks like your body finally thanking you for eating something that makes you forget you were ever cold. And if there’s one thing worth eating during a freezing January, it’s this dry-aged Tomahawk steak from Kazlak. It’s exactly what cold nights call for: perfectly grilled, warming meat, paired with charred vegetables and a truly incredible sauce.

Find out more here.

What to Visit

^Animatex

Animatex is Egypt’s largest annual animation event, founded in 2020 with the goal of bringing together artists and professionals from across the Egyptian animation industry. It strives to be the leading platform for all things animation in Egypt; a space that celebrates every facet of the art form, fosters networking and collaboration among its creators, and, over time, helps elevate Egypt’s animation industry to an international stage.

Find out more here.

^Inheritance

Neama El Sanhoury presents her third collection since joining the Safarkhan family of artists, on view from Wednesday 14 January to Wednesday 11 February 2026. Through her distinctive fabric appliqué tapestries, Neama creates the effect of “painting with fabric,” resulting in an aesthetic that feels both fresh and deeply nostalgic. Her work tenderly celebrates the richness of Oriental heritage while serving as a thoughtful reminder of the values of generosity and sustenance, values she hopes younger generations will carry forward into the future.

Find out more here.

Saudi Spotlight

^{Nora Smash Burger}

Nora Smash Burger has quickly become a must-visit burger spot that started in Riyadh and has now expanded to Jeddah and other cities, winning fans with its crispy, no-fuss smashed burgers.

At Nora, the focus is simple: serve perfectly smash-style burgers as quickly as possible. Their menu keeps it clean with just two options, a double or a triple cheeseburger, featuring wagyu-blended beef patties pressed on a hot griddle for a golden, crunchy edge, melty American cheese, fresh onions, house-made pickles, ketchup and mustard inside a soft, golden bun

Read more here.