A POCKET GUIDE TO

EGYPT

American Forces information Service • Washington, D.C . • 1988
The American Forces Information Services

does not stock copies of this publication

for general distribution. For additional

copies, contact your command or

your service publication 

distribution center.
 A POCKET GUIDE TO

EGYPT

American Forces Information Service • Washington, D.C. • 1988
DoD PG-10C*

DA Pam 360-402 (Rev. 1988)

NAVPERS 15420*

 Navy Stock No.0500 LP 175 4700

AFP 216-8 (Rev. 1988)

NAVMC 2722*

CONTENTS

A Profile of Egypt .................................................................... 3

Egypt’s Armed Forces.............................................................. 5

The Religions ........................................................................... 7

A Bit of History...................................................................... 12

The Egyptians ........................................................................ 15

A Word About Terrorism ....................................................... 17

Getting Around ...................................................................... 18

You and the Law .................................................................... 20

Getting Along......................................................................... 22

Sizing Up................................................................................ 27

Language Guide ..................................................................... 34

Sites to See ............................................................................. 37

You and the Desert ................................................................. 39

Food ....................................................................................... 41

Time and Date ........................................................................ 43

 *Replaces DoD PG-10B/DA Pam 360-402/NAVEDTRA 46510/AFP 216-8/NAVMC 2722,

which are obsolete.

 2
A PROFILE OF EGYPT 

Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Capital: Cairo (over 11 million)

Other Cities: Alexandria (3 million), Giza

(1.2 million),

Shubra el Khema (393,000),

Port Said (263,000)

Population: 50 million

Area: 1 million square kilometers

(386,000 sq. mi.)

Literacy Rate: 44 percent

Per Capita Income: $686

Religions: Sunni Muslim, 90 percent;

Coptic Christian

Languages: Arabic, English, French 3
Currency: Egyptian pound, divided into

100 piastres

Flag: Three horizontal stripes—

red, white and black (top to

bottom)—with an Egyptian

eagle in the center stripe

4
EGYPT’S ARMED FORCES

 Egypt’s armed forces are the largest in the region, 

totaling roughly 450,000 personnel divided into four 

services. The army is by far the largest—315,000—

followed by air defense with 85,000, air force with 

27,000 and navy with 32,000. Military equipment is 

primarily of Soviet origin, reflecting the long period of 

almost exclusively Soviet supply from the late 1950s 

until the 1973 war with Israel. Much of this equipment is now obsolete. Egypt’s inventory also includes 

equipment from European sources—France, Italy, the 

United Kingdom—and China. Beginning in 1979, the 

United States entered into a military supply relationship with Egypt, resulting in major deliveries expected to continue throughout the 1980s. Egypt has a

5
mutual defense treaty with Sudan and has provided military 

assistance and training to a number of African and Arab 

states, as it seeks to bolster stability and moderation in the 

region.

6
THE RELIGIONS

Islam

 Islam, the religion of the great majority of your 

Egyptian hosts, is one of the world’s fastest growing 

religions.

 Today, an estimated 600 million men and women 

throughout the world are Muslims, and the religion is 

still spreading rapidly, especially on the African 

continent.

 It is readily accepted by new members because the 

concepts are simple, there is no one between the 

believer and God, and through the (Koran), or Holy 

Book, the life of a Muslim is guided from birth 

through life to death and eternity.

 Islam is the Arabic word for “submission.”

 A person who accepts Islam surrenders to the will 

of Allah (God).

7
 This religion was founded by Muhammad, who was 

born of a merchant family in the trading city of Mecca 

in what is now Saudi Arabia in about 570 AD.

 In his 40th year, after traveling with trading 

caravans throughout the Middle East, Muhammad 

had the first of a series of revelations from God 

through the angel Gabriel. During these trance-like 

states, Muhammad received over a period of time the 

contents of what is now the Koran.

 Mecca at the time of Muhammad’s young adulthood 

was the site of a number of pagan shrines located 

around a large black meteorite worshipped by the 

desert tribesmen. From the revelations, Muhammad 

soon started preaching that the pagan shrines must 

be closed and the city cleansed of its many different 

pagan idols. One God, Allah, was to take their place.

 His preachings did not go well with the merchants 

of the city, who made their living selling goods to the 

worshippers at the many shrines. Muhammad was 

soon forced to flee Mecca.

 His flight—hegira—took place in 622, a year that 

was later used as the first year when the Islamic 

calendar was started.

 From Mecca he went first to Ta’if, where he 

preached his message of one God and was forced to 

flee again and then to Medina.

 In Medina, Muhammad found a ready audience for 

his teachings. In addition to stating that there was

8
 only one God, Muhammad gave his followers simple 

rules to live by. If followed religiously, they would lead 

the believer to heaven.

 As his following grew, so did his desire to return to 

Mecca, where he had first received the revelations. In 

630, he returned at the head of an army, conquered 

Mecca and made it the holy city of Islam.

 He died in 632, but his religion continued to grow. 

Within 100 years of his death, Islamic armies on their 

jihad—a holy war to spread the faith—had conquered 

an empire that soon was more extensive than that of 

Rome at its height.

 Egypt was among the first countries to be invaded, 

and in a matter of two centuries the people there had 

abandoned both the Coptic language—in favor of 

Arabic—and Coptic Christianity to become Muslims.

 All lands along the African coast of the Mediterranean were added to the Islamic Empire, as was much 

of what is now Spain, all of the Middle East and parts 

of India. Later, areas of what are now the USSR and 

China would have significant numbers of Muslims 

among their peoples.

 But the death of Muhammad brought with it a 

religious split that remains in Islam to this day.

 There were those Muslims who believed that the 

new leader of Islam should be selected from among 

the followers, as the leadership for a desert tribe was 

determined.

9
 Other Muslims claimed that only a direct descendant of Muhammad could lead.

 The first group, Sunni Muslims, is today the largest 

sect of Islam.

 The second group, Shi’a Muslims, who believe that 

only descendants of Muhammad through his daughter, Fatima, and her husband, Ali, can be leaders, is 

concentrated mainly in Iran.

 But, whatever the sect and wherever they are in 

the world, Muslims strive to follow the five pillars of 

Islam as laid down in the Koran.

 These are:

• Recitation and belief in the Islamic creed that

“There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His

Prophet.”

• The act of praying five times a day, facing Mecca,

wherever a Muslim happens to be when the call to

prayer is heard or it is time. The times for prayer are

before sunrise, shortly after noon, in the late afternoon, immediately before sunset and just before 

retiring. Before each prayer session, the hands, face 

and feet must be washed. Mosques have special 

locations for this purpose, but in the desert, where 

water is rare, Muslims use sand to perform the symbolic act of washing.

• The giving of money to those poorer than themselves.

10
• Fasting between the hours of first light and 

sunset during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth 

month in the Islamic calendar.

• Completion of a pilgrimage—hajj—to the holy 

city of Mecca by every Muslim who is financially and 

physically able to do so.

The Copts

 The Egyptians were early converts to Christianity 

sometime in the first century after the death of Jesus.

 They translated the Bible into Coptic, a language 

related to the language of the pharaohs. But in one of 

the early splits over the nature of God, the Coptic 

Christians broke with the rest of the church.

 Coptic Christianity flourished in Egypt until 641, 

when the first waves of Islamic armies arrived, 

spreading their religion in a jihad.

 Islam appealed immensely to the Egyptians, and 

within two centuries, the once-flourishing Coptic 

Christian church had been supplanted by Islam and 

the Coptic language by Arabic.

 In Egypt, the Coptic Christian faith was kept alive 

in monasteries and convents, but never regained the 

popularity it once had.

 An estimated 2 million Egyptians still practice 

Coptic Christianity, using a language that has been 

dead for 10 centuries in their rites.

11
A BIT OF HISTORY

 Egypt is a land of ancient yesterdays, a thriving 

today and tomorrows of great promise.

 It is a land of patient survivors. Its people have a 

continuous recorded history of more than 5,000 

years—the longest in the Western world.

 Ancient rulers—pharaohs—commanded tens of 

thousands of their citizens to build great memorials to 

their reigns and for their deaths. These memorials 

stand today, telling tales of riches beyond belief.

 The burial site of one minor pharaoh, Tutankamun, 

yielded treasures when opened in 1922 that still 

astound all who view them in the Egyptian Museum 

of Cairo.

 The tomb itself is located in the Valley of Kings in

12
Luxor, an ancient site that is visited by tens of thousands of tourists annually.

 Another monument, the Pyramid of Cheops, one of 

three outside the capital city of Cairo, contains an 

estimated 6 million tons of limestone blocks. Each 

block is so tightly fitted against its neighbors that it is 

impossible to work a piece of paper in between.

 Kings and conquerors came, ruled and died, but 

eternal Egypt and its people remained.

 It was a united kingdom from about 3100 BC until 

Alexander the Great conquered it in 332 BC.

 From then until the 20th century, it was under 

continuous foreign domination—by the Romans, the 

Persians, the Arabs (who introduced Islam and their 

language to the people), the Turks and the French.

 The last period of foreign rule began in 1882, when 

the British occupied the nation to protect their interests in the Suez Canal, which opened in 1869.

 The nation became a British protectorate in 1914, a 

monarchy in 1922 under King Fuad and a republic in 

June 1953.

 Through the hard work of all Egyptians and the 

wisdom of the nation’s leaders, Egypt today is acknowledged to be one of the most influential states in 

the Arab world.

 Its population, educational system, industrial base 

and armed forces are the largest among the Arab 

nations.

13
 You have an advantage in Egypt in that America 

and Americans are well-liked by the people.

 The respect you show for the customs and culture of 

your host nation will add to our nation’s image as a 

world leader.

 If your mission permits the time, see some of the 

ancient and modern sights of Egypt.

 Whatever you do, take the time to get to know your 

Egyptian hosts, both civilians and military. You’ll find 

that they are friendly people, good hosts and our 

nation’s friends.

14
THE EGYPTIANS

 You will find the Egyptians a proud people, patient 

in their friendships with Americans.

 They are proud of their past, which can be traced 

back some 5,000 years, one of the oldest continuous 

civilizations in the world.

 And they are proud of their present-day progress 

and of their future as a leader in today’s emerging 

Arab world.

 They are a people unhurried in going about their 

everyday jobs and will not appreciate being rushed.

 Patience is made necessary by the crowded conditions under which they live.

 Some 98 percent of the nation’s estimated 50 

million citizens are crowded into less than 4 percent of 

the country’s total area.

15
 That is the fertile Nile valley. Centuries-old cities 

dot the river’s banks, and two of the nation’s largest 

cities—the capital of Cairo and the port of Alexandria—are on the delta the river has formed going into 

the Mediterranean.

 Egypt has one of the highest population densities in 

the world. Just living from day to day takes patience.

 And you will need patience also. The roads are 

narrow and packed with cars, people and carts. 

Transportation is hectic. But through all this, Egyptians are a happy-go-lucky people.

 If a meeting is not started on time, it will be started 

later. If your Egyptian friend is to meet you at noon 

and comes two hours late, it is God’s will. That’s the 

Egyptian way of meeting the pressures of everyday 

life, and it should be your philosophy also when 

dealing with your hosts.

 In your off-duty pursuits, relax and enjoy life as 

your Egyptian hosts do.

16
A WORD ABOUT TERRORISM

 The likelihood of you or your family members being 

a victim of terrorism is smaller than well-publicized 

incidents would have you think. But the threat is real, 

more so in some places than others. Your local command in country should have the latest guidelines on 

terrorist activities affecting you and your family. With 

these guidelines and some common-sense approaches—the same ones you use to protect yourself 

against being a crime victim—you should feel free to 

enjoy the benefits of your overseas tour.

 Enjoying your tour of duty and leisure time in your 

foreign county boils down to a few basic tips:

• Stay alert. Look around and notice what’s going 

on. Follow your instincts if you feel uncomfortable

about a situation.

• Keep a low profile. Avoid flashing money, wearing distinctively American clothing or otherwise

bringing attention to yourself.

• Remain unpredictable. Vary your routine so it’s 

difficult for someone to know when you’ll be where

and what route you’ll follow to get there.

• Report any unusual activity that might be 

related to security to the appropriate authorities on

your base or post.

17
GETTING AROUND 

 Many Egyptian cities may be reached by public 

transportation. An express train from Cairo to Alexandria takes 21⁄2 hours and costs about $7 for a firstclass seat, round trip. Day and night trips are available by train to Luxor and Aswan.

 Pullman buses, with reserved seats and air-conditioning, serve Port Said, Ismailia, Suez and Alexandria.

 Taxi rates are very cheap within cities, but you 

need some training to catch one. When you see a halffull taxi, wave your hand and shout the name of the 

place you wish to go. If the taxi is going that way, the 

driver will stop and pick you up.

 Egypt Air, the only domestic air carrier, presently 

serves Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, Abu Simbel and

18
Alexandria. Air Sinai, a branch of Egypt Air, provides 

scheduled service to the Sinai peninsula.

Driving in Egypt

 Driving anywhere in Egypt is a challenge.

 While there is every pressure on Egyptians to 

conform in social and religious life, hidden feelings 

seem to come out when they get behind the wheels 

of cars.

 Roads and street signs with international icons are 

not frequent, and special indications are in 

Arabic only.

 You will find that traffic lights mean little or 

nothing to the average driver or pedestrian. Drive 

defensively every moment.

19
YOU AND THE LAW 

 Since the United States has no Status of Forces 

Agreement with Egypt, you may be subject to applicable Egyptian laws while a guest in that country.

Driving

 Egyptian drivers licenses are required. You may 

apply for one on arrival. All car owners must carry 

third-party liability insurance according to Egyptian 

law and policy. Although other coverage is not legally 

mandatory, it is practical. Accidents are frequent.

 If you are involved in an accident, ask the local 

police officer to contact your unit, if possible, or the 

nearest American installation or the U.S. Embassy.

20
Firearms

 Only the following non-automatic firearms and 

ammunition may be brought into Egypt: one smallbore rifle, one shotgun and 500 rounds of ammunition 

for each weapon. They may be shipped, but not 

mailed, to your installation, provided they are consigned to U.S. personnel for personal use and not for 

resale.

 Send notification of your intent to import firearms 

as soon as possible, because customs clearance takes 

two or three months. You must provide four passport 

photos and the firearms model and serial numbers 

and whether single or double barrel. Gun permits 

must be reissued annually.

 Before departing Egypt, you must obtain permission to export the firearms from your local police 

precinct.

21
GETTING ALONG 

 The Arab world is a man’s world.

 This is true even in Egypt, where you will see 

women working in either traditional or modern dress 

in every walk of life.

 There is still a very protective feeling among the 

men when it comes to the women of their family.

 Contacts with Egyptian women must be confined to 

whatever business is at hand. To go any further would 

be to invite trouble.

 Remember that it is forbidden to aggressively 

approach a female. In addition, a male is not allowed 

to visit a female at her home if she is there alone. 

Males can visit only if another man such as a father, 

husband or brother is present.

22
 Photographing Egyptians is permitted as long as 

you don’t focus on the person without having first 

asked permission. A good rule to follow while in 

Egypt: Do not attempt to photograph women, whether 

you see them in the streets of a modern city or on 

country lanes. But if you just have to have the picture, 

ask first, but don’t be aggressive. You may also find 

that many of the men resent being photographed.

 If the answer is “no,” don’t take the photograph!

 You should also remember that public law and the 

Koran prohibit kissing and hugging in public places 

and that short pants or short skirts that expose the 

thighs are culturally unacceptable. Showing a bare 

chest and back (no shirt) in public, except on the 

beach, is also unacceptable.

 While Americans are considered as friends by the 

majority of Egyptians, you must be sensitive to their 

customs.

 You will find Egyptian men open and friendly to 

Americans. Their friendliness does not open the way 

for the more intimate questions that Americans ask 

one another. You should never ask a man why he 

believes in the “evil eye” and wears a charm against 

its effects or about female members of his family.

 If you are entertained by an Egyptian friend, it will 

be at a coffee house or in a restaurant.

 There you will discover that Egyptians are an 

emotional and expressive people. They love physical

23
contact with those about them and may hold your 

hand or arm while talking to you. When you first 

enter a room where there are Egyptians, walk around 

and gently shake the hands of everyone. It’s expected 

and is a good way to make friends. Do the same when 

you leave a room.

 In a coffee house, what may sound like a hot 

argument to you will be only a polite discussion to 

your Egyptian friends. Ideas are expressed at full 

voice, everyone talks, and few listen. It can be fun, so 

sit back and relax.

 Whatever you do, however, do not get involved in 

discussions about politics, religion, the Middle East 

situation or any other controversial subject.

 This is an important point, since to many of your 

Egyptian friends you will represent America. Keep 

your comments confined to complimentary remarks 

about the country and its people.

 Compliments are a way of life in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world. You will hear compliments 

about the United States, prayers for your health and 

expressions of “long life.”

 Follow suit. Compliment your Egyptian friend on a

 job well done, on the history and beauty of his country 

and on your hopes for his country’s future.

 When you enter an office on business or meet an 

Egyptian friend on the street, you will be invited to 

share in something to drink. It could be tea, coffee or a

24
soft drink. To refuse is considered rude in most 

situations; however, if the offer is from a friend and 

you don’t wish to eat or drink, you don’t have to 

accept. A simple “No, thank you” is acceptable. A 

friend will not be offended. Otherwise, accept the 

offer, enjoy the drink and take time to pass a few 

minutes in conversation before starting to discuss any 

business you have in mind.

 In the same manner, if Egyptians visit your office 

or work area, offer them something to drink.

 Since the Islamic religion forbids the use of intoxicants, do not offer alcohol to Egyptian guests. Alcoholic beverages are on sale in Egypt because of the 

large numbers of tourists who visit the country each 

year. But unless you know your guest’s taste, do not 

offer alcoholic beverages at cafes or parties.

 When offering anything—a beverage, food, cigarettes—to an Arab and while you are eating, always 

use your right hand. Do this even though you may be 

left-handed. To offer something to an Arab with the 

left hand is an insult, since the left hand in the Arab 

world is used only for the body’s private functions.

 Also, when in the company of Egyptians or other 

Arabs, be careful in crossing your legs and showing 

the sole of your shoe or foot. This traditionally has 

been considered to be in bad taste. But this is changing in modern Egypt. Many Egyptians no longer

25
 consider crossing the legs and showing the soles of 

shoes offensive.

 On the streets and elsewhere, show every respect 

for the religious beliefs of your hosts. As Muslims, 

they answer the call to prayer five times a day and 

will stop in the street or on sidewalks to face toward 

Mecca, kneel and offer their prayers. If this happens, 

stand quietly to one side until the prayers are over.

 Mosques in Egypt are open to all, including nonMuslims, as long as shoes are removed. This practice 

has to do with the fact that Muslims touch their 

foreheads to the ground during prayer. The removal of 

shoes also helps to maintain a quiet atmosphere 

within the mosque. If you visit a mosque, it is best to 

be escorted by an Egyptian friend who can explain the 

various areas to you. Taking photographs is permitted 

in some of the more famous and historic mosques; 

however, it would probably be an annoyance to 

worshippers in many local mosques and should not be 

done.

 If you are in Egypt during the holy month of 

Ramadan, respect the Muslims’ requirements to fast. 

Do not offer food, beverages or cigarettes during the 

hours of fasting (from first light to sunset) or eat or 

smoke in front of a Muslim during those hours. 

Tempers can be short at this time of the year, and 

extra consideration is needed.

26
SIZING UP

 The metric system of measuring is used in most of 

the world’s countries; the United States is an exception to this rule.

 It is a simple system and one that you will get used 

to in a matter of weeks. To aid you, here are some 

approximate comparisons.

Length-Distance

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters 1 centimeter = 0.3937 

inches

1 foot = 30.48 centimeters 1 meter = 39.37 inches 

1 yard = 91.44 centimeters 1 meter = 1.09 yards

1 mile = 1.61 kilometers 1 kilometer = 0.621 mile

Weight

1 gram = 0.035 ounces

10 grams = 0.35 ounces

100 grams = 3.52 ounces (approx. 1⁄4 lb.)

500 grams (1/2K) = 17.52 ounces (approx. 1 lb.)

+ 2 ounces)

1,000 grams (1 K) = 35.27 ounces (approx. 2 lbs.

+ 3 ounces)

27
 For an approximate quick conversion of pounds into 

kilos, divide pounds by 2.2. Example: 6 lbs, 6 ozs 

divided by 2.2 = 2.898 kilos.

 For an approximate quick conversion of kilos into

pounds, multiply kilos by 2.2. Example: 3 kilos, 500

grams x 2.2 = 7 lbs, 11 ozs; 3 kilos, 50 grams (3.050) x

2.2 = 6 lbs, 11 ozs.

Pound/Kilo Comparisons

 1 pound = .453 Kilograms

 2 pounds = .9072 Kilograms

 3 pounds = 1.360 Kilograms

 4 pounds = 1.814 Kilograms

 5 pounds = 2.268 Kilograms

10 pounds = 4.536 Kilograms

Liquids

1 liter = 1.05 quarts

1 quart = .946 liters

1 U.S. gallon = 3.785 liters

Liter/Gallon Comparisons

 5 liters = 1.32 gallons

10 liters = 2.64 gallons

15 liters = 3.98 gallons

20 liters = 5.28 gallons

28
25 liters = 6.61 gallons

30 liters = 7.93 gallons

35 liters = 9.25 gallons

Speed Comparisons

 6.2 MPH = 10 KPH 40.3 MPH = 65 KPH

 9.3 MPH = 15 KPH 43.4 MPH = 70 KPH

12.4 MPH = 20 KPH 46.6 MPH = 75 KPH

15.5 MPH = 25 KPH 49.7 MPH = 80 KPH

18.6 MPH = 30 KPH 52.8 MPH = 85 KPH

21.7 MPH = 35 KPH 55.9 MPH = 90 KPH

24.8 MPH = 40 KPH 59 MPH = 95 KPH

27.9 MPH = 45 KPH 62.1 MPH = 100 KPH

 31 MPH = 50 KPH 65.2 MPH = 105 KPH

34.1 MPH = 55 KPH 68.3 MPH = 110 KPH

37.2 MPH = 60 KPH 71.6 MPH = 115 KPH

74.6 MPH = 120 KPH

Metric Conversion Factors

 You will soon get used to metric measures. Here

are some approximate conversion methods that will

help you get a start.

 

 29
Length

When you know— Multiply by— To Find—

inches 2.5 centimeters

centimeters 0.4 inches

feet 30 centimeters

meters 3.3 feet

When you know— Multiply by— To Find—

yards 0.9 meters

meters 1.1 yards

miles 1.6 kilometers

kilometers 0.6 miles

Area

When you know— Multiply by— To Find—

square inches 6.5 square centi-

 meters

square centimeters 0.16 square inches

square feet 0.09 square meters

square yards 0.8 square meters

square meters 1.2 square yards

square miles 2.6 square kilo-

 meters

square kilometers 0.4 square miles

30
Mass

When you know— Multiply by— To Find—

ounces 28 grams

grams 0.035 ounces

pounds 0.45 kilograms

kilograms 2.2 pounds

Volume

When you know— Multiply by— To Find—

teaspoons 5 milliliters

milliliters 0.2 teaspoons

tablespoons 15 milliliters

milliliters 0.7 tablespoons

fluid ounces 30 milliliters

milliliters 0.03 fluid ounces

cups 0.24 liters

liters 4.2 cups

pints 0.47 liters

liters 2.1 pints

quarts 0.95 liters

liters 1.06 quarts

gallons 3.8 liters

liters 0.26 gallons

 

31
Clothing Sizes Comparisons

MEN

Suits, Overcoats, Sweaters

United States

34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Great Britain*

34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

European 44 46 48 491⁄2 51 521⁄2 54 551⁄2 57

Shirts

United States 14 141⁄2 15 151⁄2 16 161⁄2 17 171⁄2

Great Britain* 14 141⁄2 15 151⁄2 16 161⁄2 17 171⁄2

European 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 44

Socks

United States 91⁄2 10 101⁄2 11 111⁄2

Great Britain* 91⁄2 10 101⁄2 11 111⁄2

European 38/39 39/40 40/41 41/42 42/43

Shoes

United States 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Great Britain* 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

European 391⁄2 41 42 43 441⁄2 46 47

WOMEN

Dresses, Coats, Suits

United States 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Great Britain* 30 32 33 35 36 38 39

European 36 38 40 42 44 46 48

32
Blouses, Sweaters

United States 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

(30) (32) (34) (36) (38) (40) (42) (44)

Great Britain* 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

European 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52

Stockings

United States 8 81⁄2 9 91⁄2 10 101⁄2 11

Great Britain* 8 81⁄2 9 91⁄2 10 101⁄2 11

European 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Shoes

United States 4 41⁄2 5 51⁄2 6 61⁄2 7 71⁄2 8

Great Britain* 21⁄2 3 31⁄2 4 41⁄2 5 51⁄2 6 61⁄2

European 35 351⁄2 36 361⁄2 37 371⁄2 38 381⁄2 39

Gloves:

Glove sizes are standard in the United States, Great

Britain and Europe.

*Note: Since Great Britain joined the Common

Market, both British and European sizes may be

found in most articles of clothing. If in doubt, try the

article on first.

33
LANGUAGE GUIDE

 Arabic is a very expressive language, one filled

with flowery compliments, prayers and good wishes.

Like most people, Arabs consider their language to be

one of the most beautiful in the world. Learn a few of

the following words and phrases. Your pronunciation

may not be the best, but it will please your Egyptian

hosts if you try.

Greetings and General Phrases

Approximate Arabic

English Pronunciation

Please Mm fadlak

Thank you Shukran

Welcome Ahlan wa sahlan

34
Yes Na’am

No La

Don’t mention it ‘Afwan

Sorry; Excuse me Mut’assif

How are you? Kaif halak

Well Tayyib

Good morning Sabah al-khair

Good morning (reply) Sabah an-nur

Good evening Masa’ al-khair

Goodbye Fi aman illah

Goodbye (reply) Ma’a as-salama

This Hadha

That Dhalika

How much? Qiddash

Where is...? Fain...?

 the market suq

 police station markiz il-bolis

On your left ‘Ala shimaluk

On your right ‘Ala yaminuk

Straight ahead Dogri

Go! Imshi!

When? Emta?

Come! Ta’ala!

Stop! Qif!

35
Do you speak English? Tatakallam inglizi?

Money Flous

Gasoline Benzin

Tea Shahi

Coffee Qahwa

Sugar Sukkar

Numbers

One Wahad Nine Tis'a

Two Itnin Ten ‘Ashara

Three Thalatha Fifteen Khamsatash

Four Arb’a Twenty ‘Ashrin

Five Khamsa Fifty Khamsin

Six Sitta One Hundred Mia

Seven Sab’a One Thousand Alf

Eight Tamanya

Days

Sunday Yaum al-ahad

Monday Yaum al’itnin

Tuesday Yaum ath-thalath

Wednesday Yaum al-arba

Thursday Yaum al-khamis

Friday Yaum al-jum’a

Saturday Yaum as-sabt

36
SITES TO SEE

 In Egypt, you have an opportunity to visit some of

the outstanding sites in world history. Without

leaving metropolitan Cairo, you can see the walls of

the citadel that Saladin built to withstand the Crusaders; medieval Islamic houses with harem windows

and restful, private gardens; and mausoleums,

mosques and palaces.

 Many fascinating archeological sites are within a

day's drive of Cairo: the pyramids and the tombs of

Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, Meidum and Hawarra. Two

nearby villages, Harrania and Kerdassa, are known

for their fabric and weaving.

 Traditional crafts are taught in craft centers in

Cairo, supported by the Ministry of Culture. You can

37
wander down a street of tentmakers and saddlemakers, see glass blowers and a ceramist.

 Cairo may be seen at your leisure, armed with a

guidebook, a map and a few words of Arabic, or you

can join a tour arranged by the American University

in Cairo.

 The Mediterranean beaches west of Alexandria are

beautiful. Several resort hotels are available there,

plus a guest house and apartments that may be

rented.

 Hurghada and the Red Sea may be visited by Egypt

Air. Travel agents can arrange other excursions, such

as a boat trip down the Nile from Luxor to Cairo.

38
YOU AND THE DESERT

 Working and living in the desert environment of

Egypt is not the same as working on a hot day in the

United States.

 Egypt is a true desert. Extremely high temperatures during the daytime, coupled with extremely low

humidity, can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heat

stroke.

 Because of these dangers, it is necessary to increase

liquid intake dramatically.

 You should drink at least two or three quarts of

water a day, more if you still feel like it. And take a

supply of sunscreen lotion and lip balm to prevent

sunburn and drying out.

 Eye and respiratory problems can also occur in

desert operations. 39
 Sunglasses are necessary during all daylight hours.

In extreme cases, eye injuries have occurred from the

glare of the sunlight on the sand or a body of water

such as the Mediterranean or the Red Sea. Eye drops

may be necessary to flush out the sand that is constantly in the air.

 Airborne sand also can cause breathing and respiratory problems.

 Take a lesson from your Egyptian friends—keep

your body covered while working in the sun, even

though it may be uncomfortable. This is especially

true for the head. You should wear head covering at

all times during daylight hours.

40
FOOD

 Cairo has abundant fresh fruits and vegetables,

meats and poultry and many imported food items.

 Lamb, beef and veal can be purchased in butcher

shops only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Chicken, goose, duck, turkey and pigeon are available

every day. For religious reasons, pork is sold only in

special shops. Excellent varieties of fish are available

in the markets.

 Fruits and vegetables are seasonal and usually

inexpensive. Local vegetables include potatoes,

onions, garlic, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash,

celery, green beans, beets, carrots, green and red

cabbage, spinach, okra, radishes, turnips, eggplant,

parsley, dill and mint. Some local fruits are bananas,

apples, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines, oranges,

41
mangoes, melons, dates, figs, papayas, gooseberries,

strawberries, pears, coconuts, persimmon, pomegranates and grapes.

 Cairo has reasonably good restaurants, including

cruising restaurants featuring Egyptian, European

and Middle Eastern menus. Restaurants usually open

at 8 p.m. Reservations are required.

42
TIME AND DATE

Time

 There is a seven-hour difference in time between

New York City on Eastern Standard Time and Cairo.

When it is noon in New York City, it is 7 p.m. in

Cairo.

Date

 In Egypt you will see three dates on newspapers

and documents.

 One date will show the day, month and year of the

Gregorian calendar, one you are already familiar

with.

 The second date will be followed by the letters

“AH,” Anno Hegirae.

 This date relates to the Islamic calendar that was

43
started in the seventh century. The first year of that

calendar was the year of Muhammad's flight—

hegira—from Mecca to Ta’if to Medina in 622 A.D.

 A year in this calendar has 354 days in 12 lunar

months, a month being the time between two new

moons. Since that period is approximately 291⁄2

days, the calendar was adjusted into months of

alternating 29 and 30 days. Leap year days are added

every five years to further adjust the calendar.

 Since the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar

cycle, the months of the year have no fixed relation to

the seasons, but instead make a complete circuit

through the seasons every 33 Gregorian years.

 The first month of the Islamic year is Muharram,

followed by Safar, Rabi al Awwal, Rabi ath Thani,

Jumada al Ula, Jumada al Akhirah, Rajab, Shaban,

Ramadan—the month of fasting, Shawwal, Dhu Al

Qadah, and Dhu Al Hijjah, the month in which the

journey should be made to Mecca.

 The third date, the Coptic month and date, is

printed in Arabic-language newspapers since it is

used by farmers to plant and sow their crops.

44

The Secretary of Defense

Washington, D.C.

December 1988

 A POCKET GUIDE TO EGYPT (DoD PG-10C). This

official Department of Defense publication is for the use of

personnel in the military services.