Winter Cotton!

Not unlike the appearance cotton, fluffy snow shows how many similarities are in nature even though the objects might be vastly different...just like humanity!

Cotton Harvest-Time

It is harvest-time for Egyptian cotton, which is considered the finest in the world. Here is a bit of information on how the quality of cotton is assessed:

Cotton is classified, not only according to length and strength of fiber, but also according to the condition of the cotton on a basis called "middling". Middling cotton is creamy white, with no evidence of dirt or gin-cuts (fibers matted and cut) and with only a few pieces of leaf and immature seeds. Middling-fair, the best, has a perfect, lustrous, silky, clean fiber, whereas good-ordinary contains leaf particles, sticks, hulls, dirt, sand, gin-cuts, and spots. To indicate the degree of whiteness of the cotton, six distinct color groups are used: extra-white, white, spotted, tinged, yellow stained, and gray. Although the grades given above are significant to the manufacturer, a difference of 1/8 of an inch in the length of fibers is generally much more important than the difference between one grade and the next. Untreated cotton has no pronounced luster.

The diameter of the cotton fiber ranges from .0005 to .009 of an inch. Egyptian fibers have the smallest diameters and so can be spun into the finest yarns. A single cotton fiber will sustain a dead weight of from 2 to 8 grams. Such a fiber is not very strong, but the finished cotton cloth can be made very strong if tightly twisted.

No One Should Ever Go Hungry

Survival instinct is clearly illustrated in this example. Click on it to enlarge the interior of the mouth of this hungry fish.

Freedom!

A walking grasshopper...free to enjoy living!

A Trick of Nature

Sunset reflection on a high cloud. Northern New Mexico, USA, late October.

Trial of Iran's Baha'i Leaders Delayed Again

According to the Baha'i World News Service, the trial of the dissolved ad hoc group of Baha'i leaders in Iran, scheduled for today, has been delayed again. The full story is posted below:

Trial of seven Baha'is delayed, no new date set
18 October 2009

GENEVA — Although the trial of seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran for more than 17 months was scheduled for today, when attorneys and families arrived at the court offices in Tehran they were told it would not take place. No new trial date was given.

"The time has come for these seven innocent people to be immediately released on bail," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

"The seven, whose only 'crime' is their religious belief, are once again in legal limbo, held with no idea of the legal process ahead of them. The whole charade cries out for an end to their unlawful detention," she said.

The seven are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm.

Official Iranian news accounts have said the seven are to be accused of "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic." They have also been charged with "spreading corruption on earth."

Last week, it appeared likely that the trial would indeed be postponed again, since attorneys for the seven had not yet received the proper writ of notification.

"The fact that their attorneys did not receive proper notification and that there is no new date for the trial is just one among many gross violations of Iran's own legal procedures, not to mention the violations of due process recognized by international law, that have marked this case from the beginning," said Ms. Ala'i.

Upcoming Trial of Baha'i Leaders in Iran

The following comment was just left on a previous post regarding the trial of Baha'i leaders in Iran. It is posted again below because of its relevance:

Cynthia has left a new comment on your post "Iran: Trial of Baha'i Leaders Postponed":

The USC Office of Religious Life, USC Levan Institute for Humanities and Ethics and the Los Angeles Baha'i Center are hosting a concert event on Wednesday, October 14th at 7:30 PM at the Bovard Auditorium for a call for human rights and religious freedom in Iran, in light of the upcoming trial of the seven Iranian Baha'is this Sunday, October 18th.

The event includes international artists, guest speakers and religious leaders in Southern California.

Happy Birthday!

Martha turns one-year-old today!

Untouched Beauty in Nature

Service Through Art

Civilization has many faces and can exert its influence through various manifestations. The struggle for one's rights can be seen as only a tiny element of that dynamic process, sharing the road towards progress.

The Baha'is of Egypt are now at a juncture where their contributions to their society far exceed their personal needs and their individual challenges. Their persistent desire is to be of service to their homeland and to their fellow citizens.

In order to reinforce such thoughts, it may be timely to project such attributes and desires through various venues and in particular through creativity. Among such examples of service, art can be one of the tools to illustrate these ideals.

In this spirit, this blog will attempt to provide a new flavor to its posts through photography, as humble as it may be, to share the beauty of the unusual and the eye-catching. Objects and scenes that pass by us--at times without being noticed--if not recorded at the moment, might not be seen again.

PRI on Religious Freedom in Egypt

The US-based Public Radio International (PRI) ran a story recently in its "The World" program on religious freedom in Egypt. The World is a co-production of WGBH/Boston, PRI, and the BBC World Service. As usual for this program, the story is well researched and directed, giving us a glimpse into the most recent developments regarding this sensitive subject.

In order to hear the entire story, please click here.... or Download MP3

A transcript of the program is also available at this link and is posted below:

Religious freedom in Egypt

By The World - September 7, 2009

In Egypt, followers of the Bahai religion have often complain of persecution and even official discrimination. But they have recently made gains in the largely Muslim country. The World’s Aya Batrawy reports from Cairo.

Read the Transcript
This text below is a phonetic transcript of a radio story broadcast by PRI’s THE WORLD. It has been created on deadline by a contractor for PRI. The transcript is included here to facilitate internet searches for audio content. Please report any transcribing errors to theworld@pri.org. This transcript may not be in its final form, and it may be updated. Please be aware that the authoritative record of material distributed by PRI’s THE WORLD is the program audio.

MARCO WERMAN: There is no First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion in Egypt. That’s okay if you’re Muslim, Christian, or Jewish. If not it’s been impossible to get a government ID card. But last month an Egyptian court ruled in favor of a follower of the Bahai religion. He and his children can fill out their papers and leave that question on religious identification blank. It’s a step in the right direction for Bahais but Aya Batrawy reports from Cairo that Egyptians Bahais have a long way to go before they’re accepted as equals.

AYA BATRAWY: While it’s never been illegal to be a Bahai in Egypt, being one has never been easy. Amm Ahmed, his wife, and their six children had to flee their rural town of Suhag in southern Egypt due to harassment. In March, fellow residents burned his house down along with those of three other Bahai families. Even now, he is meeting me in a private residence on the outskirts of Cairo away from the public eye and security officials.

AMM AHMED: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

BATRAWY: And it is only in private that Amm Ahmed can practice his faith. Dressed in a traditional Egyptian gallabiya and turban he reads verses from the Bahai holy book as the Muslim call to evening prayer rings out in the background.

AHMED: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

BATRAWY: Although born Bahai he used to work as a reciter of the Quran. He saw nothing wrong with reading the Quran since the Bahai faith embraces it as well as the scriptures of other religions. But soon after he announced he was Bahai both he and his wife were imprisoned for nine months on charges of which he is still unaware. The recent torching of his house because he is Bahai further convinced him the government must do more.

AHMED: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: Egypt can do better than this. It must open a dialogue with Bahais and sit with us and see what we believe in. This way people can relax and we can relax.

BATRAWY: The Bahai faith was founded in the mid-19th century by a Persian named Baha’Ullah. Members believe that God’s will has been revealed by messengers of all the world’s major religions and that world peace will come when humanity recognizes it is one race which worships one God. But many Muslims view the religion as a heretical deviation of Islam and Bahais have long faced persecution particularly in Iran. Here in Egypt Bahais enjoyed some level of recognition until 1960 when the government outlawed their public activities and forced them to misidentify themselves on government documents as either a Muslim, Christian, or Jew. Following years of legal struggle a court ruled earlier this year that Bahais can leave the section under religion as blank on government identification cards and birth certificates. Hossam Bahgat of the Egyptian Initiative for Human Rights.

HOSSAM BAHGAT: There are two ways of looking at this positive court outcome. For Bahais it’s simply a correction of a mistake. But for Egyptians in general it is a significant step in that this is the first time in Egypt’s legal history that there is an administrative system to deal with Egyptians who do not adhere to one of the three state-recognized religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

RAOUF HINDY: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

BATRAWY: Seated at a café in downtown Cairo Dr. Raouf Hindy enjoys a steaming Turkish coffee as he talks about the court case. He’s a modest hero among fellow Bahais for taking the government to court and winning. His children have just become the first Egyptians to receive the new IDs.

HINDY: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

BATRAWY: He says before this ruling Bahais either had to lie on official papers which could lead to being jailed or they had to function as best they could without documentation. Now he says he’s happy that no one will force him to lie.

But there are delays and complications. Oral Surgeon Dr. Basma Moussa is one of hundreds of Bahais still waiting for the new ID. She asked that the interview be conducted in her car because she’s weary of being interviewed in public. Although she’s been married for over 20 years she doesn’t have a marriage license because the Egyptian government does not recognize Bahai marriages. This means that if she and her husband check into a hotel they have to get separate rooms because unwed Egyptian couples are not legally allowed to rent hotel rooms together. It also means that she cannot file taxes properly, open a bank account, buy a new car, or receive government benefits.

BASMA MOUSSA: [SPEAKING ARABIC]

TRANSLATOR: We’re tired. We’re exhausted. And they keep making things more complicated. Just give me my papers. Since the ruling was made and the order was issued there are complications you can’t even imagine to get the new ID. Now even those who have the new birth certificate cannot marry with this ID because they say they don’t accept the Bahai marriage.

BATRAWY: Bahais still face an uphill battle for acceptance in Egypt. Just last month there protests and arrests after the government announced plans to re-house Bahais whose homes were burnt down. But the new IDs have given them hope that change is coming. For The World this Aya Batrawy in Cairo.

Copyright ©2009 PRI’s THE WORLD. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to PRI’s THE WORLD. This transcript may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. For further information, please email The World’s Permissions Coordinator at theworld@pri.org.

Egypt Protects the Rights of Displaced Baha'is

We vividly recall the events leading to the burning of the homes of the Baha'is in the southern Egyptian village of Showraniyah near the end of last March.

Even though there have been efforts directed at resolving the matter by the Egyptian authorities, these families have been displaced since that incident and have been temporarily housed in Northern Egypt. A couple of days ago Reuters news agency reported "Egyptian police arrested 70 villagers on Thursday who were protesting against the relocation of Baha'i families to their area after they were chased out of another village in southern Egypt, security sources said."

The story goes on to state the following:

About 150 people from Ezba and surrounding villages in Sohag province gathered outside regional government offices to voice opposition to the relocation of 25 Baha'i families to government-sponsored housing near their homes, the sources said.

Baha'is, who number between 500 and 2,000 in Egypt, call their faith's 19th-century founder a prophet -- anathema to Muslims who believe Mohammad was God's final messenger.

Rights activists say Baha'is face systematic discrimination in the conservative Arab country, which does not officially recognise the faith.

In April, Muslims attacked houses belonging to Baha'i residents of another village in Sohag over a period of three days, forcing 30 families to flee the mainly Muslim village of Shuraniya.

Some villagers from Ezba said the protesters had gathered from Wednesday after word spread that some of those displaced from Shuraniya had settled in the area two weeks ago.

However a rights group advocating on behalf of the Baha'i families said no permanent homes had been found for them.

Soha Abdelaty, the deputy director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, said the families were still negotiating with the government.

Baha'is, in an important ruling for members of unrecognised religions, last year won the right to obtain government identity papers so long as they omit any reference to their faith. But the faith is still vilified by some media, activists say. (Reporting by Mohamed Abdellah, Alastair Sharp and Maha el Dahan)

If what happened is indeed true and if it becomes confirmed through other sources, then this development would illustrate the seriousness of Egypt's commitment to maintain law and order and its determination to protect its persecuted Baha'i minority, who have been facing unjustified persecution by the ill-informed and the misguided. In fact, this would be the first time that Egyptian authorities take such a firm and decisive action in order to stop harassment of Baha'is on its land. A nation is often judged by its resolve to respect its weakest and its underprivileged.

Iran: Trial of Baha'i Leaders Postponed

A story published on the Baha'i World News Service has reported today that the trial of the seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran has been postponed until 18 October. The following is the full text of the article:

Trial of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders postponed
17 August 2009

GENEVA — The trial of seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran has been postponed until 18 October, the Baha'i International Community learned today.

According to Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva, following a request for postponement of the trial from Mr. Hadi Esmaielzadeh and Ms. Mahnaz Parakand – attorneys from the Defenders of Human Rights Center who are representing the seven Baha'is – the court has decided to delay the hearing for two months.

Two senior members of the legal team, Nobel laureate Mrs. Shirin Ebadi and Mr. Abdolfattah Soltani, were unable to attend the hearing as Mrs. Ebadi is out of the country and Mr. Soltani is in prison, having been detained on 16 June 2009 in the wake of the civil unrest following the presidential election in Iran.

"Our hope now is that our seven innocent co-religionists will be released on bail," said Ms. Ala'i.

The seven Baha'i prisoners are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. All but one of the group were arrested on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. Mrs. Sabet was arrested on 5 March 2008 while in Mashhad. They have since been held at Tehran’s Evin prison without formal charges or access to their lawyers.

Official Iranian news accounts have said the seven are to be accused of "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic."

The Baha'i International Community categorically rejects all charges against the seven, stating that they are held solely because of religious persecution.

These innocent individuals must be released immediately pending their trial. They clearly do not pose any threat to anyone and they have been wrongly accused with trumped-up charges.

Iran Has No Evidence!

CNN has just published a story based on its interview with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi, who is the lawyer representing the detained seven former leaders of Iran's Baha'i community. The article, titled, "Lawyer: Iran has no evidence against Baha'i prisoners" was published today on CNN's world website. It starts with the following:

(CNN) -- Iran should release seven Baha'i prisoners accused of espionage because it does not have any evidence against them, their lawyer Shirin Ebadi told CNN on Saturday.

"In the files, in the case basically, there is nothing, no reason that basically convicts them," said Ebadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The trial will begin Tuesday despite the fact that one of their lawyers is behind bars and Ebadi is outside the country.

Other attorneys can be appointed, Hassan Haddad of the Prosecutor's Office in Tehran told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

But the court must recognize the replacements, who are colleagues of Ebadi at her Tehran-based Defenders of Human Rights Center, not appoint other lawyers, Ebadi said.

The imprisoned lawyer, Abdolfattah Soltani, is a well-known advocate with the human rights center. He was arrested in the aftermath of Iran's disputed June 12 presidential election and is being held at Evin prison, the same place where his clients are detained, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights.

He is being held on charges of taking "measures against national security," Ebadi said. "Mr. Soltani is completely innocent."

Read the rest of the story here....

Exposing Human Rights Violations Through Art

This is the newest artwork by Shahriar AZ, the contemporary Persian artist from New Zealand. The concept, World Art Collective, was launched by Shahriar in March 2008. The website has become the vehicle for raising awareness of human rights violations, injustices and persecution. Shahriar has always been interested in the power of technology, particularly the internet, in opening broad avenues of interaction among the world's diverse populations. He aims to engage those who have been previously unexposed to what contemporary art can achieve socially and expand beyond the confines of a traditional art gallery setting.

The artwork is from the series called the "The Truth behind the persecution." This is an interview sound artwork about Human Rights violations against the Baha'is in Iran.



Most recently, Shahriar exhibited his artwork in an international show in Poznan, Poland in March 2009. The exhibition, titled “STAND-UP Art about Human Rights,” focused on human rights through art. It reflected the growing need for acceptance of, and respect for diversity, dialogue and social engagement. The show comprised the work of eleven artists and activists from different countries, societies and cultures. More information about the STAND UP exhibition can be found here....

US Government's Views on the Crisis Facing Iran's Baha'is

Approximately two weeks ago, Voice of America (VOA) published the following editorial reflecting the views of the US government:

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bi-partisan government body known as USCIRF, is calling for the release of 7 leaders of Iran's Baha'i community who have been imprisoned for over a year. The seven – 2 women and 5 men – were reportedly due to stand trial on July 11. According to the Baha'i World News Service, their families were recently informed by authorities that the trial was delayed.

The seven Baha'i leaders – Behrouz Tavakkoli, Saeid Rezaie, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Affif Naeimi and Mahvash Sabet – have been charged with a variety of crimes, according to official Iranian news reports. They include "propaganda against the system," "insulting religious sanctities," and "being corrupt on earth," a charge that is punishable by death. The 7 have not been allowed to see a lawyer.

"The charges against these imprisoned Baha'is are baseless and a pretext for the persecution and harassment of a disfavored religious minority. They should be released immediately," said Leonard Leo, chair of USCIRF, in a written statement. The statement was issued after USCIRF received a letter from Roxana Saberi, the Iranian American journalist who spent almost four months in Tehran's Evin prison earlier this year.

Read more here....

11 July: Baha'i Rights Day

Safeguarding the Innocent - Baha'i Rights Day from Iran Press Watch on Vimeo.

Update: Trial delayed....

Baha'i Rights Day: 11 July 2009

The Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights named 11 July 2009 as the first "Baha'i Rights Day." On that day, the ad hoc group of seven Baha'is, who were attending to the minimal needs of Iran's largest religious minority, will face trial in Iran's Revolutionary Court. They were wrongly accused of a variety of false and absurd charges that include "spreading corruption on earth," punishable by death according to Iran's penal code. They have been incarcerated for over a year in Iran's notorious Evin prison without any access to legal defense. The banner accompanying this post was designed by the Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights.

On 3 July 2009, Amnesty International has demanded an "URGENT ACTION"

. calling on the Iranian authorities to release the seven members of the Baha’i minority (naming them) whom Amnesty International considers to be prisoners of conscience held because of their beliefs or peaceful activities on behalf of the Baha’i community;
. calling on them to drop the charges against the seven, which Amnesty International consider as politically motivated;
. expressing concern that if convicted of the charges they are said to be facing the seven could be sentenced to death;
. calling on the authorities to ensure that the seven are protected from torture and other ill-treatment;
. urging the authorities to ensure that the seven are given regular access to their families, lawyers of their choice and any medical treatment they may require.

The New York Times on the Baha'is of Iran

In a story published in The New York Times on 26 June 2009, and entitled "For Bahais, a Crackdown Is Old News," its author Samuel G. Freedman writes:

The Bahais have long served as the proverbial canaries in the coal mine of Iran’s theocracy. Their persecution, as documented over nearly 30 years in numerous human rights reports, has contradicted all the näively hopeful predictions that the hard-line surface of Iran obscures a deeper wellspring of moderation and tolerance.

In 1983, the Iranian government banned all official Bahai activity. Deeming the faith an apostasy, Iran’s fundamentalist Shiite government has denied Bahais higher education, confiscated Bahai property, desecrated Bahai cemeteries and refused to recognize Bahai marriages....

In order to read the entire story, please follow this link....

And Then They Came for Me!

Here is an award-winning video on the plight of the Baha'is of Iran. It was put together by Bobby Aazami and became the overall winner of a contest conducted by the external affairs office of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

In light of the video's context, one cannot help but contemplate the following poem by Martin Niemöller (1892–1984):

In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then... they came for me... And by that time there was no one left to speak up.

Baha'i Spokesman Interviewed on NPR Regarding Iran

A spokesman for the Baha'i International Community was interviewed two days ago by the US National Public Radio (NPR). On its website, NPR writes the following:

Iran's Religious Minority Speaks Out On Elections
Listen Now [5 min 26 sec]

June 18, 2009 · Members of the Baha'i faith, Iran's largest religious minority, have long been discriminated against and persecuted by the Islamic Republic of Iran government. Farhad Sabetan, an official within the Baha'i faith community, offers a reaction to the recent elections.

Please click here for NPR link.

Remarkable Words for a University Graduation

This is an actual video recording from the opening remarks by the Chaplain of Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. These remarks were made during the graduation ceremonies, given seven times this year for a total graduating class of approximately 4,900 students. The Chaplain uses the words of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the Baha'i Faith--who had visited Montreal in August 1912--in her description of the beauty of diversity in these young graduates and of their hopes and dreams for a peaceful future.

Egypt Moving Forward With its Commitment to Human Rights

Based on recent developments and reliable reports, the Egyptian Government should be acknowledged for its efforts in treating its Baha'i religious minority, as well as other minorities, with dignity and respect. Among several examples, related recently and reported by some Egyptian media outlets, Baha'is are increasingly being recognized for their positive role in their society and for being an integral part of its fabric.

As a first step in the Government's efforts to improve the civil rights status of the Baha'is of Egypt, the civil administrative authority is moving forward with granting the Baha'is their identification documents in an orderly manner. Naturally this process of ID issuance will take time to implement for all those concerned but, nevertheless, these efforts speak for the government's intentions and commitment to do the right thing for its minorities which have been oppressed in the not too distant past. As this path continues to be pursued, the Baha'is of Egypt are quite confident that Egypt will indeed come through with its promise for a happier and greater future for all its lawful citizens.

There are also clear signs that these efforts are genuine and are intended to move Egypt forward in its quest for moderation and tolerance. It would be indeed timely to express gratitude and respect for such a positive trend.

Congressman Frank Wolf on Human Rights & Dialogue With Iran

The following was published on an official website of the Baha'is of the United States:

Congressman Frank Wolf urges Obama administration to make human rights a key component of dialogue with Iran

Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia expressed concern that seven Baha’i leaders who have been in prison for more than a year may face death on charges of “spreading of corruption on earth,” a capital offense in Iran. “Human dignity and freedom must not be made a sidebar as the Administration seeks to engage the Iranians,” Wolf said in his May 21, 2009 testimony. You can read the full statement here.

HON. FRANK R. WOLF
OF VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, May 21, 2009

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, May 14 marked the one-year anniversary of the imprisonment of the seven member national committee of the Iranian Baha’is. According to CNN reports, the seven Baha’i leaders may now face charges of "spreading of corruption on Earth" which carries the threat of the death penalty under Iran’s penal code. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recently released their 2009 report which recommends that the State Department designate Iran a country of particular concern due to its gross violations of religious freedom. Such violations include the execution of over 200 Baha’i leaders since 1979, the desecration of Baha’i cemeteries and places of worship, and the violent arrest and harassment of members of the Baha’i faith. As the Administration seeks diplomatic engagement with Iran, I urge them to make human rights and religious freedom an integral part of the dialogue. Human dignity and freedom must not be made a sidebar as the Administration seeks to engage the Iranians.

Condolences to the Mubarak Family

All Egyptians are in a state of shock and grief over the untimely and unexpected death of the grandchild of President Hosni Mubarak. According to Al-Ahram Weekly, "twelve-year-old Mohamed, the child of Mubarak's eldest son 47-year-old Alaa, died suddenly on Monday."

The newspaper adds:

A presidency statement said that Mohamed died after a "two-day health crisis", while other reports elaborated that he had suffered a brain haemorrhage on Saturday and was flown to Paris for emergency treatment, where he died. On Tuesday the child's body was brought back to Egypt for burial. Before the funeral, the body was admitted to Al-Galaa Armed Forces Hospital where President Mubarak bid his eldest grandson farewell, since he was not to attend the funeral. Alaa has another son, Omar, who is six years old.

Our hearts go out to the President, to his son Alaa, and to the entire Mubarak family. The loss of a child is one of the most painful experiences anyone can endure. It is certain that all Egyptians share in mourning the loss of this beloved child and pray for the progress of his pure soul in the heavenly worlds of God.

We also pray to God to shower the Mubarak family with His grace, and to bestow upon the family strength and patience during this very difficult time.

The accompanying photographs of the President with his grandson, the funeral, and the President's sons Alaa and Gamal are courtesy of Al-Ahram Weekly. Please click on the picture in order to enlarge it.

The entire article can be accessed here.... You may also view a video of the funeral here....