Pics: Arish children celebrate Ramadan at sea despite challenges

CAIRO – 6 June 2018: Amid security challenges, around 120 children participated in an “iftar” gathering held on Monday, in the presence of police and army men.

The celebration held by the Tree Foundation for Development and Art, was attended by around 120 children and 30 relatives. Iftar is the meal Muslims eat in Ramadan to break their fast.



The Tree Foundation held “iftar” gathering for around 120 children in Arish city – press photo

Head of the Tree Foundation, Mohamed al-Temsah, said that a delegation from the North Sinai Security Directorate distributed food cartons to the children's families, in a celebration dubbed “Sahaba” (the cloud). Sahaba is an initiative that targets orphans and children of Sheikh Zuweid, and Rafah cities, who moved to live in Arish city.

During the celebration, children were surprised by a number of military men distributing gifts and taking pictures with them.


The Tree Foundation held “iftar” gathering for around 120 children in Arish city – press photo

“My message to the world and to all our enemies inside and outside [the country] that we live here in Arish in safety,” said Sheikh Gamal Hamid, head of the Central Administration of Al-Azhar Institutes in North Sinai.


The Tree Foundation held “iftar” gathering for around 120 children in Arish city – press photo

“Egypt and Arish are safe thanks to our sons of the Armed Forces,” Hamid stated, adding that “people walk safely in the streets [of Arish].”


The Tree Foundation held “iftar” gathering for around 120 children in Arish city – press photo

In one of the deadliest terrorist attacks, 311 Muslim worshippers were killed in November 2017 by militants' gunfire during Friday prayers inside Al-Rawdah mosque in Arish.

Egyptian security forces at the Ministry of Interior killed on Monday 15 terrorists in an exchange of fire after locating their hiding place by Arish's ring road, according to the security forces report.

The elements were in contact with some terrorist leaders abroad who support them financially to carry out terrorist acts aimed to destroy the state, especially after the success of Egyptian efforts to combat terrorism, the statement read.

On February 9, Egypt’s military launched its comprehensive operation, Sinai 2018, against jihadists, who have launched attacks on the security and military forces for years.

Additional reporting by Walaa Ali