Fury in Egypt over Ghana's Israeli flag waver

AreliusIV · 06-19-2006, 03:50 PM

Deuce · 06-19-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

Fury in Egypt over Ghana's Israeli flag waver

Whatever!

Why do Egyptians care?
Yes i read the article and still can't figure out why Egyptians should give a toss!

montgjules · 06-19-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

Whatever!

Why do Egyptians care?
Yes i read the article and still can't figure out why Egyptians should give a toss!

Good choice to edit there, Deuce. I found your original ending to that post somewhat thoughtless.

I don't fully understand the kind of emotions behind Arab-Israeli relations, but I know enough to never "misunderestimate" how complex the situation is. Gonna control myself here to not say more than that.

I was talking to my friend in Egypt today and he told me about the event. Long story short, much of the arab world is now cheering enthusiastically for the USA to win on Thursday.

AreliusIV · 06-19-2006, 04:10 PM

Egypt is predominantly Muslim, at approximately 90% of the population, with the majority being adherents of the Sunni branch of Islam.

Additionally, Egypt has historically had very strained diplomatic relations with Israel. Egypt lost Mt. Sinai to Israel in 1967 during the Six Day War.

In 1973, Egypt, along with Syria, launched a surprise attack on Israel in the October War (known also as the Yom Kippur War), which, despite not being a complete military success, was by most accounts a political victory.

The permanent headquarters for the League of Arab States (The Arab League) is located in Cairo.The Secretary General of the League has traditionally been an Egyptian.

rslfutbolfan · 06-19-2006, 08:00 PM

I understand the Muslim v Israel thing...what I was wondering is why Egypt was rooting so much for Ghana.

And I love the idea of the Egyptians/Muslims rooting for us on Thursday! Thats great!

montgjules · 06-19-2006, 10:34 PM

Egyptians get a large part of their identity as "african" and a large part of their identity as "muslim." They are kind of a bridge between two worlds, since Africa as a whole is much more diverse religiously and culturally than the arab nations that Egyptians also have a strong link with.

Since Egypt didn't qualify for the World Cup this year 🙁 they have been cheering for Ghana, which represents the African heritage they are so proud of.

Interesting note: my friend told me that an apology was issued by a local Ghana newspaper or somebody (sorry, I was distracted while we were chatting) for the incident.

Deuce · 06-20-2006, 12:20 AM

My response was thoughtless? In comparison to what?

Let's not lose perspective here!

Thanks Arelius... I already knew the history of the conflict in the middle east... but it still does not answer my question...

What does it have to do with Egypt?

AreliusIV · 06-20-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

Egyptians get a large part of their identity as "african" and a large part of their identity as "muslim." They are kind of a bridge between two worlds, since Africa as a whole is much more diverse religiously and culturally than the arab nations that Egyptians also have a strong link with.

Since Egypt didn't qualify for the World Cup this year 🙁 they have been cheering for Ghana, which represents the African heritage they are so proud of.

Interesting note: my friend told me that an apology was issued by a local Ghana newspaper or somebody (sorry, I was distracted while we were chatting) for the incident.

The apology was actually issued by the team itself...

Deuce · 06-20-2006, 08:46 AM

Regardless of whether the team apologized or not... the player did nothing wrong, and to suggest that the Egyptians have somehow been slighted by a Ghanian player waving an Israeli flag in a world cup match played in Germany against the Czech Republic is absolutely farcical... at best.

Why do people feel they have to be insulted or offended over the slightest little thing?

Why do people feel that since they don't understand why a person does something that it must be an insult?

Jules I have friends in Israel that are as bewildered by the incident as many people are. and they keep asking me the same thing I am asking you guys...

What does it have to do with Egypt?

Your explanation of Egypt acting as a bridge between Africans and Muslims is good but it lacks one major point... Egypt is not the only African/Muslim country.
There are other African nations that are predominently Muslim...(Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)
So why is Egypt the only one acting like a bunch of school kids that had their lunch money stolen?

I am having a hard time understanding why people feel that it was some kind of insult!

The guy plays professional soccer in Israel... I don't know why he did it... but I will say again...

It has nothing to do with Egypt...

AreliusIV · 06-20-2006, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

Your explanation of Egypt acting as a bridge between Africans and Muslims is good but it lacks one major point... Egypt is not the only African/Muslim country.
There are other African nations that are predominently Muslim...(Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)
So why is Egypt the only one acting like a bunch of school kids that had their lunch money stolen?

Egypt is the only one to get into the news. I'm sure every Muslim country was offended...