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essanews.com Egypt ditches American F-16s for Chinese J-10Cs in a major shift Story by ŁMI • 9h J-10 aircraft© Getty Images, Brent Lewin The United States has suffered a reputational defeat. Egypt, which for years has been purchasing American weapons and even launched licensed production of Abrams tanks, no longer wants the F-16. Instead of American planes, it has chosen Chinese Chengdu J-10C aircraft. The F-16 is the backbone of Egypt's air force. The country operates as many as 218 aircraft, including 40 in the old F-16A/B variant. In modernizing its air force, the Egyptian authorities decided to replace the oldest F-16s with a new aircraft type. Cairo also rejected the American proposal to deliver the latest version of the F-16, the F-16V, and the Russian offer to replace the Vipers with MiG-29M2 aircraft. Instead, Egypt chose the Chinese multi-role aircraft Chengdu J-10C. In light of this information, which Cairo and Beijing have not officially confirmed, the recent presentation of Chinese aircraft gains a new context. During the Egypt International Airshow 2024, organized in early September, six Chinese J-10C and a Y-20 Kunpeng transport aircraft flew over the Egyptian pyramids. J-10C aircraft for Egypt Egypt's decision is interpreted as an attempt to become less dependent on the United States. Cairo is diversifying its weapons purchases. A decade ago, it ordered Su-35 and MiG-29M2 aircraft from Russia, but the operation of these machines and Russia's reliability as a supplier of parts was unsatisfactory. Related video: Chinese Air Force performs aerobatics over Giza pyramids (Dailymotion) Subsequently, Egypt ordered 54 French Dassault Rafale aircraft (with an option to order more) and is now replacing part of its F-16 fleet with Chinese aircraft. As noted by Maciej Szopa from Defence 24, one of the factors influencing this decision may be that Israel is likely unaware of the specifics, capabilities, and weaknesses of Chinese aircraft. Pakistan is currently the only foreign user of Chinese J-10 aircraft. The decision is likely political, as the J-10C, although more modern than the old versions of the F-16, is inferior to the new variants of this machine offered to Egypt. Chengdu J-10 aircraft© russian ministry of defence Chengdu J-10 – Chinese multi-role aircraft The Chengdu J-10 is an aircraft designed in China in the 1980s, initially as a fighter aircraft and then, in line with global trends, as a multi-role machine. Its serial production began in 2003, resulting in over 600 units so far. The J-10 has a "canard" aerodynamic layout, is powered by a single engine, and weighs about 43,000 pounds in take-off configuration, of which 12,000 pounds can be dedicated to armament.

Salaam, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Saudi Arabia (apparently) and now Morocco: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/12/10/israel-morocco-agree-to-normalise-relations-in-us-brokered-deal#click=https://t.co/banbRgkQLn Who's next in the chain of normalization and how can this change the political situation in the Middle-East in favor of Israel?

(bismillah) (salam) Fresh presidential and parliamentary elections have been announced in Egypt amid reports that Mohamed Morsi has been told he is no longer in charge of the country. Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported on its website that the army told Mr Mursi at 7pm (6pm UK time) that he was no longer head of state, quoting a presidential source. The country's leading Muslim and Christian clerics and opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei will shortly unveil the details of a political road map for a short transitional period followed by new national polls, state news agency MENA reported. Sky's Middle East correspondent Sam Kiley, outside Cairo University where supporters of the president have gathered, added: "The military have moved at least have a dozen armoured personnel carriers supported by about two companies of troops, on one side of the university. On the other side there are a number of riot police. "At the moment there is a tense standoff between supporters of President Morsi and the military, with his supporters building barricades, but also standing on the military side of the barricades trying to show a level of solidarity."The army said in an official statement that it was securing the area and denied what it said were reports that it was attacking Mr Morsi's supporters, saying: "The Egyptian army belongs to all Egyptians." Mr Morsi has refused to step down, saying he will protect his democratic "legitimacy" with his life. http://news.sky.com/story/1110850/egypts-morsi-told-he-is-no-longer-president

Will prevail when Imam Mahdi ((عليه السلام)) and Prophet Jesus ((عليه السلام)) returns. For the most part, the Palestinians have been brain washed by the salafi’s to the extent that a large percentage of Isis fighters when they were caught were from Palestine and then Chechnya then Tunisia and then Saudi Arabia. I think you and the other guy that I’ve heard of are the only Palestinian Shia’s that exists. The rest are either “Sunni” or “Christian” in short yous are rare gem.

Hi, I hope you all are in the best of health and eemaan. I am planning to go to egypt early January.If I go there then I believe Ziaaraat is a must. I am looking for a list of places relevant to us ithnasharies... I have found these uptill now: Imam Hussain Mosque (Khan el Khelili Bazaar) shrines of sayida zainab, sayida sukaina, sayida nafisa, Shrine of Malik e Ashtar (Near el Marg station) Shrine of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr (Masjid Muhammad al-Saghir) in coptic cairo near 'Mar Girgis Metro station Shrine of Lady Atika Some of these places I am really not sure of the exact locations.. If someone can guide me on 2 things it would be great: 1) Any more sites that is a must visit once in Cairo 2) The Locations of the above and other places. I know some of these places have weak historic lines of their buriul sites in egypt. But still I would love to go there. Best Regards

Sinai mosque massacre: What we know 8 hours ago The attackers reportedly planted explosives and then opened fire on worshippers [Amr Nabil/AP] MORE ON SINAI PENINSULA Egypt vows to avenge Sinai mosque massacretoday Major Attacks in Egypttoday Egypt-Israel relations 'at highest level' in history2 months ago Is Gaza-Sinai state a possibility for Palestinians?4 months ago Armed attackers killed at least 235 people in a mosque in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, according to state media. The attack, which took place in the town of Bir al-Abed, about 40km west of the provincial capital of North Sinai, El Arish, happened shorty after Friday prayers. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called the attack "criminal" and "cowardly" in a televised statement on Friday. Hours after the attack, Egyptian warplanes took to the skies, targeting the mountainous areas around Bir al-Abed. Here is what we know so far. What happened? During the Friday prayers at a Sufi mosque in Bir al-Abed, North Sinai, four 4WD vehicles drove up to the mosque. Reports said the attackers planted explosives and then opened fire on worshippers. The attackers next targeted fleeing worshipers with gunfire. WATCH 25:00 Is Egypt's security crackdown working? At least 235 people were killed and 120 wounded, according to Egyptian state media. It was the deadliest attack of this kind in Egypt's history. Images circulating on Twitter and shown on Egyptian TV showed dozens of bodies covered in blood, lying on the floor of the mosque. Most of their faces were covered with white cloths, while other bodies were wrapped in prayer rugs. Some men and women could be seen next to the bodies. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/sinai-mosque-massacre-171124200523928.html

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Sheikh Hassan Shahate was brutally tortured to death with some other people too. He died on the 23rd of June 2013 in Egypt, He was an important Shia cleric who had many followers due to his reasonable views and his criticizing of fundamental and extremist actions in Egypt. He was one of the key religious people who advised the Egyptian army and was an Imam of one of the most important mosques in capital Cairo. The materials that were used to Martyr Hassan Shahate and other people were basically metal and wooden sticks, swords and knives. After this attack, the attackers had no mercy and they congratulated each other one witness, local activist Hazem Barakat, said in written and video account of the events he posted on-line. He said that in the weeks before the attack, extremely traditional Salafist clerics in the area spoke against the Shia’s. Everything was planned out so that Hassan Shahate can be martyred. Videos regarding this cruel attack are still accessible on YouTube showing how Hassan Shahate and the other people that were killed. (YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED HASSAN SHAHATE)

I tried to do a little search on this cleric, a lot by way of blogs (and other anti-islam sites), not much in terms of formal stuff. Did anyone hear about this at the time? this is him another fatwa of his

(bismillah) Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is waiting for a positive response from Egypt for the dispatch of foodstuff and medical aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. “We are waiting for the fulfillment of the Egyptian government’s promises in this regard,” Zarif told reporters on Monday. He added that he has held two telephone conversations with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on the Israeli regime’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza and the necessity to send humanitarian aid to people in the blockaded enclave. “We hope that the Egyptian government would help Iran’s medical aid and foodstuff reach the people in Gaza and prepare the ground for the transfer of the injured Palestinians, who are mostly children, to Iran,” Zarif said." The Iranian minister noted that despite promises by the Egyptian government, Tehran has not received "a serious response" yet. “We hope that the Egyptian government would help Iran’s medical aid and foodstuff reach the people in Gaza and prepare the ground for the transfer of the injured Palestinians, who are mostly children, to Iran,” Zarif said. Pointing to the day-long meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Committee on Palestine over the situation in Gaza, he added that the event in Tehran conveyed the message to the world that the majority of people do not accept silence and indifference regarding the ongoing crisis in the besieged enclave. “It is necessary that Muslim countries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement and Arab states adopt a coordinated measure to defend the Gazans and exert pressure on the Zionist regime [israel] and its allies to end their crimes,” the Iranian minister pointed out." He expressed regret that the international community has failed to play an active role to put an end to the Israeli regime’s atrocities in Gaza as a result of the US and certain Western countries’ support for Tel Aviv. “It is necessary that Muslim countries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement and Arab states adopt a coordinated measure to defend the Gazans and exert pressure on the Zionist regime [israel] and its allies to end their crimes,” the Iranian minister pointed out. Medical sources say at least 1,865 people, including over 400 children, have been killed and over 9,400 injured since the Israeli regime began its offensive against the Gaza Strip on July 8. http://www.presstv.com/detail/2014/08/04/374028/iran-awaits-egypt-response-on-gaza-aid/

An Egyptian court has confirmed death sentences against the leader of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and at least 182 of his supporters. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/21/egypt-sentences-muslim-brotherhood-death

Law or lawlessness! Lubna Abdel Aziz To whom it may concern: Egypt is a country of laws! We have been for the last 7000 years! The outrage over the conviction of 529 terrorists is in itself an outrage. Even the most oppressive of dictators has stayed clear of messing with the law. If we are to be accused of anything, it is of being too lenient with thosthate who breach our national security. In the Late Period of ancient Egypt, (664 BC-332 BC), laws were codified and there were eight books that set out the legal code. While partial copies still exist of the Code of Hammurabi of Mesopotamia, (1772 BC), unfortunately nothing remains of the laws of ancient Egypt from funerary texts as well as court functions. Ancient Egyptian law was based on a common sense of right or wrong, following the codes based on ‘Ma’at’. Ma’at represented truth, order, balance and justice in the universe. The concept allowed that everyone should be viewed as equals under the law, (with the exception of slaves). Neither riches nor nobility would raise a person above the law. A gold Ma’at pendant was considered a badge of legal officials. A Ma’at badge is currently on display at the British Museum. High treason was severely dealt with. Robbery, riots and destruction of property were crucial offences. No such civilisation as ours could exist without the basic institution of law. Fast forward to 1776… Thirteen American colonies declared their independence from British rule. In a document written by Thomas Jefferson and ratified July 4, the famous ‘Declaration of Independence’ is considered one of the finest constitutions in history. It declares first and foremost, “that all men are created equal”, but fails to mention this is not applicable to African slaves. Has the world stood still since the Code of Ma’at? Justice is a moral standard that applies to all, and sets penalties for those who violate it. Our men of law have been famous throughout the ages for their ethical behavior and indisputable integrity! Those fine, lusty individuals who wish to pounce on any news from Egypt, twist facts and turn them to their liking, should be well furnished with facts and evidence, before passing judgement. Every now and again an honest, unbiased voice speaks with reason and wisdom, but most are shallow and prejudiced. To them we plead, hands off our affairs and keep the beast in the box. Meddling with the internal matters of a sovereign nation is illegal, regardless of how many believe it is permissible. Turn your attention to those who regularly break their own laws as well as international laws and human principles. Evidence is abundant that Obama has lied under oath. He willingly disregards the written law and instead enforces his own policies via executive decree. ”Of all the troubling aspects of the Obama presidency, none is more dangerous than the president’s persistent pattern of lawlessness” said one commentator. This lawlessness is not only demonstrated internally but the snooping and spying on leaders of other nations, without their knowledge, carries neither honour nor integrity. His military intervention in Libya without Congressional approval is a brazen example of his disregard for faithfully executing the law. Obama says he has a pen and he has a phone, which simply means the US is ruled by men and not by laws. Congressman Ted Cruz of Texas responds: ”The lawlessness demonstrated by the Obama administration is unprecedented.” UNICEF has documented 230 violations by Israel against children ages 12-17. Israeli security forces systematically murder Palestinian children in cold blood. They are blind-folded, hands tied with plastic strings, sleep-deprived, shot in the back, those defenceless innocents who cause no threats. Where is the outrage? Bloody Rabaa siege was called ‘protesters’ peaceful sit-in’. Did they count the corpses buried in there? As for the Baroness, EU Foreign Policy chief, Catherine Ashton, has she come again to scrutinise, deputise and advise, or to finally admit that June 30th was indeed a revolution and not a military coup as she and her companions kept insisting for months on end? Now she asserts that the EU wishes to maintain its relationship with Egypt now that she has had a better chance to form a correct picture of the challenges Egypt faced. Has she dared do that to, say, the US? Russia? Israel? Turkey? Why are we alone to endure such humiliation and mistrust in our actions, our choices, our laws? How often must we remind them that this is Egypt, land of a great civilisation. While their ancestors were still hunting animals we had courts of law, science, architecture and every form of art. There are records of surgical procedures, dentistry, even a Caesarian procedure, all on display at the British Museum? May we ask how they got there? Speaking of that once great Empire, Mr David Cameron has declared, ‘Ansar Beit Al-Maqdes’, an unlawful terrorist organisation. His ‘MI 5’ and ‘MI 6’ are still examining the role of the MB. We can save you time and trouble. All Islamic extremists fall under one umbrella, namely the Monstruous Brotherhood. They have mercilessly slaughtered hundreds of Egyptians, burnt to ashes 86 churches and destroyed pillaged and looted priceless museums. If you choose not to believe us, ask your Canadian friends or Saudis or any group with knowledge, honour and integrity. ‘Truth’ is always suppressed but ‘Lies’ are repeated ad nauseum!!!! http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/Print/5949.aspx

(bismillah) (salam) I recently heard from an 'Aalim that Sayyeda Fatimah (as) had not 2, but three daughters. He (may Allah bless him) said that there was not only Zaynab al-Kubra and Zaynab as-Sughra, but there was also a Zaynab al-Wusta. This has left me in a confused position. It is well known that Zaynab al-Kubra is the famous lady Zaynab of Karbala. She is buried in Syria. I knew there was a Zaynab as-Sughra, who is also known as Umm Kulthoom. She is buried in Egypt. I did not know of Zaynab al-Wusta, but according to the Shaykh, she died during the life of Imam Husayn (as) and is buried in Jannatul Baqee'. Now I am confused, was there really a Zaynab al-Wusta? And if there was, is Zaynab al-Wusta really Sayyeda Umm Kulthoom, and Zaynab as-Sughra another Zaynab? You see, before I heard this, I though Zaynab as-Sughra was Sayyeda Umm Kulthoom. But according to the Shaykh, Zaynab al-Wusta is Sayyeda Umm Kulthoom, and Zaynab as-Sughra is the third Zaynab who is buried in Jannatul Baqee'. Which one is it? And for those of you who do not know, Zaynab al Kubra means the greater/older Zaynab. Zaynab al-Wusta is the middle Zaynab. And Zaynab as-Sughra is the lesser/younger Zaynab. I know much about Zaynab al-Kubra from Karbala, as do many of us. But I know very little about Zaynab al-Wusta (Umm Kulthoom) and practically nothing about Zaynab as-Sughra. Can someone please clear this up for me? (wasalam)

...seems a little harsh, and could do more harm than good in the long run.

Security guards have seized a man who tried to hit Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with a shoe as he visited a mosque in the Egyptian capital Cairo. Video of the incident shows a man shouting "coward" as he strikes out. It is not clear what the motive was - some reports suggested it was against Iran's support for Syria's government. Mr Ahmadinejad is the first Iran leader to visit Egypt since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Showing the sole of a shoe is a grave insult in the Arab world. The Iranian leader is attending a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, a loose grouping of 57 mainly Muslim countries. Egypt's new Islamist President, Mohammed Morsi, has sought to follow an independent path on foreign policy and travelled to Tehran soon after coming to power last year, the BBC's Yolande Knell reports from Cairo. However so far his talks with Iran about its policy towards Syria have had little impact, our correspondent adds. http://www.bbc.co.uk...e-east-21348630

786 A contemporary view on the possibility of Shia-Sunni unity from a political & modern historical perspective based upon the actions of authentic Shia and Sunni leaders of the recent past and present. http://www.crescent-online.net/2013/01/egypt-the-muslims-are-waiting-3553-articles.html

We need to respect all religion and love everyone, this is too bad

Egyptians Escalate Movement against Israeli Embassy, Detain Officials Egyptian protestors attacked and invaded the Israeli embassy in Cairo Friday night, took off the Israeli flag and raised the Egyptian flag instead, and tossed official papers and documents, including “confidential” ones, through the windows into the massive crowds rallying near the building. The protestors were able to accomplish this step after having destroyed a wall built around the building of the embassy. After that, they surrounded and detained six of the embassy security men, who were saved by the Egyptian commandos. 18 people were martyred and 450 others were injured during the protests after the Egyptian police confronted and attacked the protestors' movement, and used tear bombs to separate them. Egyptian Interior Minister declared a state of high alert, and cancelled all police leave, while Prime Minister Essam Sharaf called for an emergency cabinet meeting Saturday. The official Egyptian News Agency Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that the protestors successfully took control over “confidential” documents that belong to the Israeli apparatuses, and claimed that the “documents included letters from Israeli employees to their Egyptian counterparts written in Arabic but have Israeli stamps.” One of the activists told Al-Manar TV Channel that some of the documents included information about the Israeli spy in Egypt Azzam Azzam whom ousted President Hosni Moubarak ordered his release four years ago. Furthermore, the 25 January revolution coalition stated that the protestors have detained three of the Israeli embassy employees, and moved them to a “safer” place. The coalition coordinator Houssam Al-Din Ammar told Al-Manar that the three officials were the Israeli ambassador’s secretary, and two communication and protocol officials in the embassy. He also said that high-ranked officials have called him personally asking for the release of the Israeli detainees, but he demanded the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and all the embassy staff, and the summoning of the Egyptian ambassador in Israel before any release, and put a time frame of three hours to do so. Media reports revealed Saturday that Higher Chief of the Armed forces Hussein Tantawi began personally negotiating with the protestors to release the detainees, but the revolution coalition put the mentioned conditions and warned that if they were not implemented, they will intensify their movement. The Israeli ambassador in Cairo Yitzhak Levanon reportedly left Egypt Saturday, leaving behind his senior diplomat to resume the embassy’s work. AFP quoted an Israeli official as saying that "we left the deputy ambassador to keep up contact with the Egyptian government." For his part, US President Barack Obama expressed his “great concern” of the rising situation to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and demanded the Egyptian authorities to “protect” the Israeli embassy; while Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak requested US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to help protecting the embassy in Cairo. Obama’s office issued a statement indicating that Obama has “reviewed the steps that the United States is taking at all levels to help resolve the situation without further violence, and to call on the Government of Egypt to honor its international obligations to safeguard the security of the Israeli Embassy." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF9nyIWq8ek

Grand Shia Cleric: Wahhabis do not have a lot of information about Islam Grand Shia cleric deprecated the recent Fatwa issued about Hosni Mubarak by an Egyptian Wahabi mufti. (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Grand Shia cleric deprecated the recent Fatwa issued about Hosni Mubarak by an Egyptian Wahabi mufti. Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi slammed the decree issued by one of the Wahhabi Muftis in support of the former autocratic president of Egypt Hosni Mubarak. “Recently one of the Wahhabi Muftis said that the former Egypt president should have not been caged,” the grand ayatollah said to calling the so-called religious fatwa as questionable. The Wahhabi Mufti announced that Mubarak was their Imam and people had the right to convict him only if he had not let people pray or if he had been an infidel. Speaking among worshipers in the holy shrine of Hazrat Masoume (as), in Qom, 120km southwest Tehran, ayatollah Makarem Shirazi underlined,” one of the problems we have with Wahhabis is that this group of people are literally implosive.” “When they just see a weak Hadith, they make a tumult in their satellite channels [without full consideration of the dictom],” delineated the grand Ayatollah. He addressed Wahhabi Muftis and stressed,” brothers, do not be impulsive, when you see such Hadith, at first ask, and if you are not given an answer, then make cause célèbre.” “Because of being impulsive, Wahhabis sometimes issue some quirky Fatwas,” said Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi stating that last year, for instance one of the Wahhabi Muftis issued a Fatwa and announced that eating Zulbia( kind of cookie eaten in the holy month of Ramadan in some Muslim countries) is forbidden. /129 http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=258737