Lively ambience marks Egyptian Ramadan night

Amid a lively ambience and a colourful blend of Islamic and pharaonic decorations, an emotionally-charged Egyptian community sang and clapped to the tunes of their popular sentimental and national songs at an Egyptian Ramadan Night at the Dubai Press Club on Thursday.

The night started on a quiet note, but did not remain so when Egyptian families and journalists requested the eight-member musical band and the two singers to sing their favourite romantic and patriotic melodies.

"Once again, culture proves to be the best means of strengthening ties among the people of the world," said Abdul Aziz Dawood, Egyptian Consul-General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, who attended the night with the Consuls-General of Palestine, Eritrea, Sudan, China, Qatar and Iraq.

"Last year, we introduced Tawasheeh (the old form of singing) and the traditional dance, El Tanoorah (skirt), which is performed in some of Cairo's old districts and coffee shops - El Sayeda Zeinab and El Fishawi.

"Tonight it's the turn of the oriental band, El Takht Al Sharqi," said Mohsen Mohammed of the Dubai-based Egyptian Social Club, co-organisers of the event with the consulate.

Everything at the crowd-puller night was very much Egyptian.

From the decor to traditional Ramadan dishes - drinks, lanterns (Fawanees), the exotic pharaonic costumes worn by the waitresses and teenagers, the pictures of the pyramids, Sphinx, Sinai and the Egyptian Mediterranean Coast, the jokes cracked by the boisterous crowd and the audience's tongue-in-cheek interaction with the musical band and El Tanoorah dancers.

The audience sang and enjoyed listening to the national song Misr Elati Fi Khateri (Egypt in my mind and blood) and romantic songs Bahlam Beek (I dream of you), Ansak (Can I forget you) and Habibi Wi Enaya (My love and my eyes).

One of the most requested songs was Enwan Bitna (Our home address), to which the entire audience sang along with the singer Rafaat El Haggar.

The highlight of the evening was the performance of the El Tanoorah dancers who enthralled the Egyptians with their colourful skirts, songs and dances which are mostly related to Ramadan, Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) Birthday and the Islamic New Year.

The scene reminded one of being on the banks of the Nile on a fine Cairo night or in the old Cairo traditional coffee shops where everybody seems to know everyone.