Attending international conferences gives you the chance to listen to different points of view and learn new ideas and trends in your field and will make you a known figure in academic circles, not to mention the benefits for your resume as it will create an impression that you are an active member of the academic community. It also allows you to discover a new place or city where the conference is being held and learn about its people and culture.
IEREK as an international expert for research enrichment and knowledge exchange, organize some of the most successful academic conferences in the field Architecture and Sustainable Development, one of them is “Cities’ Identity Through Architecture and Arts” (CITAA), that will be held in Egypt in May 11-13, 2017.
IEREK is inviting you to attend The CITAA conference, and to extend your visit to Egypt to a well-deserved holiday and have memorable days.
Here’s a glimpse on some of the most mesmerizing places to visit when in Egypt;
Whirling dervishes
Egypt whirling dervishes are members of the Mawalaya sect of Sufis, followers of a semi-mystical branch of Islam. Sufis were originally associated with poorness and self-denial and wore rough woolen clothes next to their skin and from the word “wool” or “Suof” in Arabic the Sufis name was derived. The whirling dervishes perform marvelous shows. Dancers with brightly colored outfits turn like springing tops while a line of musicians create a hypnotic pulse, tossing their heads jerkily from side to side.
Enjoy this performance by Mohamed Shahin, Egyptian Whirling Dervish, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11XJhuTmTTA
Cairo Dinner Cruise
One of the most interesting night activities especially in Cairo is to ride a Nile dinner cruise at night. Riding in the river Nile has its own magical beauty and many of the boats that offer dinner cruises provide their passengers with tasty food and a wonderful entertainment show that usually contains belly dancing, whirling dervishes, and sometimes oriental or western live music.
El Moez Street/Old Cairo
El-Moez Le-Din Allah Street was the former main thoroughfare of pre-modern Cairo. It is an eloquent witness to history, with various monuments spread along both of its sides. It is located near two historic gates to Old Cairo — Bab Fotouh and Bab Nasr — in El-Darb El-Asfar, the most ancient quarter in the capital.
Here is a list of places to Visit at el Moez Street:
– El Hakem Mosque (1000 years ago)
– Bayt Al-Suhaymi (1648 AD)
– The Complex of Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun (1285 AD)
– Hammam Inal (1456 AD)
– The mosque, Khanqah & Mausoleum of Al Sultan Al Zahir Barquq (1386 AD)
– The School and Mausoleum of Al Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun (1298 AD)
You can also find El Aqmar Mosque (1125 AD), or visit Wekala, Hamam, Khan, Le Riad boutique hotel, palaces, mosques, the Khankah and more. Last but not least, you must see Al Rabaa Cultural Center, to see where the locals get married.
Coptic Cairo
The religion compound
The Religion Compound is one of the most picturesque and charming areas in the whole of Cairo. It consists of a small area built around the remains of the old Roman fortress of Babylon on the Nile, and contains pretty much all of the tourist sights of Old Cairo (also known as Coptic Cairo, and Fustat).
It includes monuments from all three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as the Coptic Museum and the Coptic Cemetery. Some of the most famous churches here include the Greek Church of St George, and the Hanging Church. The Amr Ibn el-Aas Mosque is located just north of the compound, and was the first mosque ever built in Egypt.
The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church is also referred to as the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa. The Hanging Church is a unique church and has a wooden roof in the shape of Noah’s ark. From the 7th century to the 13th century, the Hanging Church served as the residence of the Coptic Patriarch. Al-Moallaqa has witnessed important elections and religious ceremonies.
Enjoy this tour inside The hanging church with Sheila Simkin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc19wAgvGX0
Islamic Cairo
Cairo Citadel (Al-Qalaa)
Cairo Citadel is one of the major works of military architecture of the middle ages. Founded by Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in 1176 AD, the Citadel was a sign of the coming of a new regime whose roots were foreign and tastes were military.
Today, the Citadel is the most visited Islamic monument in Egypt. Within the enclosure walls are several important buildings that are open to the public, including the famed Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which dominates the skyline of Cairo, the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad, the Mosque of Sulayman Pasha, Gawhara Palace, and several museums.
Don’t want to miss the chance of enjoying those sights? Attend an international conference with IEREK in Egypt.
For more information about CITAA, kindly check the following link http://www.ierek.com/events/cities-identity-through-architecture-and-arts/