The Smiling Assassin
Something of a legend here in Egypt, Mohamed Aboutreka is an Egyptian footballer who plays attacking midfielder for the well-known Egyptian club El Ahly as well as the Egyptian national football team. He was born on 7th November 1978 in one of the poorer parts of Giza. It wasn’t until he turned 12 that he took the fitness test at Tersana Club as suggested by his friend where he passed so was able to join the club. At the young age of 17, Aboutreka was promoted to the First Squad because of his remarkable talent. But that doesn’t seem to be his only talent as he graduated from Cairo University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy.
Also known as the Egyptian ‘Zinedine Zidane’ or ‘Smiling Assassin’ by the foreign media because of his tendency to score goals and smiling at the same time, Abou Treka always plays as number 22. His honours are numerous and include Winner of African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 playing for Egypt, Winner of African Super Cup (2006), (2007), (2009), The World's most Popular Footballer amongst active Players in 2008 (IFFHS) and so many more.
Not only being well-known because of his incredible talent but also for his kind heart and warm nature that it comes as no surprise that Aboutrika joined UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors the Brazilian player Ronaldo, and French player, Zinedine Zidane, in addition to 40 international soccer stars in 2005 for a ‘Match Against Poverty’ in Germany, with the aim of raising funds and increasing awareness about the issue worldwide. However, he didn’t stop there as he is now a WFP (World Food Program) Ambassador Against Hunger due to his beliefs that poverty can go either way; push the poor person to be determined to rise above this poverty or be pulled lower into despair.
Mohamed Aboutreka is now happily married with beautiful twins, Seif and Ahmed who might follow in their father’s footsteps. Well, let’s hope they do.
Good Reads
World Cup Sum Up
By the time this issue is out the great Mondial will be over, and if there is one thing that we can take away from the games played so far, it’s that Fifa president Sepp Blatter’s vehement resistance to the use of technology has become untenable.
Museums You've Probably Never Been To
By Lena Alsayegh
We all know that Egypt has a wealth of historical sites and a rich overlap of cultures spanning thousands of years. However, only a fraction of us have actually ever seen the Pyramids or been to Luxor, let alone the Egyptian Museum. So, we’ve decided to spotlight a few places to whet your cultural appetite if you should ever find yourself with nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon.
The Dreams Will Only Die With Me
A dream starts with one clear thought.
(E. MOON)
Do you ever feel your head won’t be quiet? Are a million thoughts racing through your brain telling you, ‘gotta do this, gotta do that, gotta do, gotta do!’ Do you feel your mind is racing, does there seems to be no end to the physical and emotional tasks you are setting yourself? Everything becomes confused; you don’t know where to start to eliminate all the rubbish going around in your head.
Headlines
Homeopathy In Sharm
When you visit the doctor, he will ask you what is wrong. "My foot hurts," you might say, and the doctor will lift the foot and look at it from all angles.
He has seen this before. Within 15 minutes, he will learn all of the details he needs to make a diagnosis. He will write on a pad, hand you a slip of paper, and you will hobble out the door. This is how medicine is done, right?
Why is it then, that for the same complaint, a homeopath will require that you sit in her office for at least an hour? Why will she ask you about your childhood, your dreams, your preferences for food, and so on?
What are these tiny white pills she has recommended you, and why do they have a name that sounds so strange?
Real Estate In Sharm
Over the past few years the resorts surrounding the Red Sea have witnessed a property boom which parallels those of Spain and Dubai in recent times. At the forefront of this increase in demand is the resort of Sharm El Sheikh, ideally situated on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Buoyed by a rapidly expanding tourist industry, Sharm El Sheikh is today one of the most popular destinations for people looking to purchase a property in Egypt.
Latest Reviews
Do You Believe In The Evil Eye?
Hello Muriel, Do you believe in the evil eye? Thanks, Mona
Dear Mona,
I don’t think it is about belief; it is more about respect and acceptance for other people’s beliefs. It is not about my opinion either as opinions become diluted with age.
The ‘Evil Eye’ is believed by many cultures to be able to cause bad luck or injury on the person to whom it is directed.
The concept and significance of it varies widely between cultures, but for me the psychodynamics are of ‘envy.’
It has been mentioned several times in the Bible and is also mentioned in the Koran.
Breakdance In Sharm
Flash Forward Entertainment is an all new performance group currently sweeping across Sharm El Sheikh with their new infectious show in hotels and clubs and various other stages and spaces.
Sharm Schooling
Hello Muriel, I am new In Sharm and I feel lost because I don't know which school to put my child in? Do you have any advice on what I should look for in a good school? Thanks, Amanda
