One Arab World

Well we (my brother and I) are finally in the serious planning stages of a trip we’ve been longing to make for years. It’s the first of a three leg road trip to visit every Arab country.

Stage One (June/July 2006):

From Alexandria to Rabat.
We are going to drive from Egypt through Libya, Tunis, and Algeria, to Morocco (the boarder of the last two is closed but we are looking for a way around that) and may even take a side trip and ferry up through the straights of Gibraltar up to El Hammra….blogging, photoblogging, podcasting, and interviewing all the way.

We want to meet as many bloggers, politicians, and just good ol people as we can so start hooking up those invites and recommendations. Email OneArabWorld (at) hot mail.com.

Also if any form of media would like to sponsor the trip in exchange for some exclusive coverage we would be very open.

Peace

-Karim Elsahy

UPDATED BELOW

As of this point there is no MSM reports but people on the ground are saying there were three explosions in the resort town of Dahab in Sinai.

No idea yet as to the extent of the damage or casualties but will keep updating as events unfold.

UPDATE 1
Its picked up.

UPDATE 2
My two cents:

A small town made up primarily of huts and famous for its diving and cannabis, Dahab is a town frequented by both Israeli and Egyptian tourists alike. With Sham El Naseem (Easter) holiday in effect, however, it would typically be filled to the brim with young Egyptian kids looking for a good time.

Also tomorrow is Sinai Liberation Day. Doubtfully a coincidence.

There could be only one mark. These terrorists have once again purposely targeted the youth of Egypt. Are we going to need yet another one of these to realize our real enemies? This time I don’t think so. This time the downfall will be great. We are going to eat these terrorist sons of bitches for breakfast.

-Karim Elsahy

UPDATE 3
Egyptian police also confirmed there were casualties in the blasts. Al-Jazeera reported an unknown number of dead were among the casualties.

Police officials said more than 20 ambulances and police cars were rushing to the el-Masbat section of Dahab's old city. Smoke was rising from the area.

UPDATE 4
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Three explosions Monday night rocked the Egyptian resort city of Dahab at the height of the tourist season, killing at least 17 people and wounding more than 150 at just one hotel, according to the doctor who runs Egypt's Sinai Peninsula rescue squad.

UPDATE 5
Body count is up to 21. As I said its mainly Egyptian with at least 18. One Swiss, one Russian too. I'll be talking about it with Criss on the BBC later tonight on Up All Night.

If anyone knows of any private efforts to help the situation please email me.

UPDATE 6

Interior Minister Habib el-Adly put the death toll at 23, including 20 Egyptians and three foreigners. But Sinai hospital officials said Tuesday that an Egyptian man had died of his wounds, bringing the toll to 24. More than 60 people were wounded, including many Westerners.

My condolences to those directly affected and please give a prayer for those lost.

UPDATE 7
More Photos

Also, BP and I will be on with Kevin Anderson from the BBC at around 1p.m. est.

I am moving back to Egypt on the 10^th to spend the majority of my time there, at least for the next 6-12 months.

The past few weeks have been unusually hectic, Somehow I managed to slip into a routine 18 hour work day (as opposed to 12) so my apologies for the lack of posts.

Posting will resume shortly though so thank you for bearing with.

Peace. 

-Karim Elsahy

I came across these pictures my sly wife snapped of me last summer on Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast; a setting to make even my island friends (Bahamas) jealous.

I’ll be in Cairo the day after tomorrow, and though time is really going to be tight for me this trip you know the drill. 0101192244.

Light posting next couple of weeks.

Peace.

-Karim Elsahy