Egypt News اخبار مصر
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Millions of Muslims performed dawn prayers on Mount Arafat near the holy city of Mecca on one of the most important days of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

On Thursday morning, at least three million pilgrims from more than 70 countries made the short journey from Mecca to the tented city of Mina, which will be their home for the next four days, and from where they’ll perform the rituals of Hajj.

Men dressed in two pieces of unstitched white cloth, and women entirely covered except for their faces and hands prayed for peace on Mount Arafat on Friday, a ritual that forms the spiritual climax of the Hajj.

The “Wuquf” ceremony they performed there symbolizes Man’s wait for judgment day.

“I am here in response to your call, Allah, I am here…” the crowds chanted in several accents as they gathered in the plains of Mount Arafat.

“You have no equal. To you the praise, from you the favor — and royalty belongs only to you.”

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Israeli occupation forces killed 660 Palestinians in 2006 – three times higher than last year, an Israeli human rights group said in a report released on Friday.

B’Tselem, an independent group that monitors human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, said the death toll included 141 children.

At least 322 of those killed were not taking part in hostilities at the time of their death, the rights group said, adding that 22 of the dead were targets of assassinations.

In the same period, the number of Palestinian attacks against Israel has fallen – 17 Israeli civilians and six soldiers were killed in 2006 compared with 50 the year before.

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Somali government forces backed by Ethiopian troops, tanks and aircraft were preparing to take control of the capital Mogadishu, which was calm but tense after a day of gunfire and looting.

As Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi prepared to enter the lawless coastal city that was hurriedly abandoned by Islamist fighters, Ethiopian tanks and hundreds of soldiers were camped in the heart of Mogadishu amid fears of renewed street anarchy.

“Our forces have entered the city, today we will move on and try to control the whole of Mogadishu,” government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari told AFP. “The people of Mogadishu have welcomed us and we will not hesitate to help restore law and order there.”

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Iraq’s growing violence has forced more than 108,000 Iraqis to flee their homes and register as refugees over the last month alone, a senior migration official said.

More than 432,000 Iraqis have left their homes since the February 22 bombing of a sacred Shia shrine in the holy city of Samarra, Deputy Migration Minister Hamdiya Ahmad told Reuters.

“The main reason behind the rise of displaced families is the deterioration of the security situation and the death threats that people have received to flee their houses, in addition to the bombing of safe areas,” she said.

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With Israel’s blessing, Egypt has delivered a large arms shipment to forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, officials said Thursday - the latest Israeli attempt to boost the embattled leader in his bloody conflict with the militant Islamic group Hamas.

Though there has been a weeklong hiatus in armed clashes, Palestinians fear the heavily armed security forces of Hamas, which runs the Palestinian government, and Fatah could erupt in violence at any time.

Israel has been trying to reinforce Abbas’ standing among his people. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Abbas is a partner for negotiations - unlike Hamas, which rejects the existence of Israel and refuses to renounce violence.

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Israel is not planning to release Palestinian prisoners ahead of the Muslim feast of Eid Al-Adha, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office has told AFP.

“For the moment, there is no release” planned for the holiday, which is marked by Muslims variously between Saturday and Tuesday, Olmert’s spokeswoman Miri Eisin said Friday.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz had indicated at a press conference on Monday that a number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel could be released to mark the Eid festival.

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أقر مجلس الشورى الإيراني مشروع قانون يرغم الحكومة على إعادة النظر في تعاونها مع الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية التابعة للأمم المتحدة.

وقد صدر القانون بعد أربعة أيام من صدور قرار عن مجلس الأمن الدولي فرض عقوبات على إيران، بسبب برنامجها النووي المُثير للجدل.

و كان الرئيس الإيراني محمود أحمدي نجاد قد قال إن إيران ستقلل من تعاونها مع الوكالة الذرية.

وتضمن قرار العقوبات الدولية حظرا على بيع كل ما له علاقة بالتكنولوجيا النووية، وتجميد بعض الأصول الإيرانية.

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كرر رئيس أساقفة كانتربري في بريطانيا روان وليامز، إدانته للحرب على العراق، وقال انه يتساءل إن كان يجب عليه ان يقوم بجهد اكبر لمنع وقوعها.

وأضاف وليامز في لقاء مع بي بي سي انه يشعر بالفجيعة حيال ما أدت إليه القرارات التي اتخذت في العراق، والتي أدت لتعرض الجنود لمخاطر جمة.

وأضاف ان قرار شن حرب في العراق كان قرارا خاطئا وأن نتائجه بدأت في الظهور، بالرغم من انه لا يشكك في نوايا الذين اتخذوا قرار الحرب.

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Egypt is witnessing a very busy holiday season and hotels are beginning their preparations for New Years Eve and the Muslim holiday Eid Al Adha concerts. Arabs from around the Middle East are expected to attend the numerous concerts that will take place.

According to the London based Elaph, some of the most significant performances to be held will be by Lebanese singer Elissa on the second day of Eid Al Adha in Sharm El Sheikh, another by Syrian singer Asalah Nasri with Egyptian belly dancer Dina and singer Mohammad Hamaqi.

Egyptian singer Mohammad Foad is scheduled to hold a concert with singer Hakim at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, which will also feature prominent Saudi singers Mohammad Abdo and Rabih Saqr on the third day of Eid Al Adha.

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كل عام وانتم بخير اذا كان العيد بكره وكل عام وانتم بخير اذا كان العيد بعد بكره وكل عام وانتم بخير اذا تبين ان العيد كان امبارح.

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