AFP PHOTO/MOHAMED EL-SHAHED
During the past weekend, Egyptians marked two important occasions: Easter and Sham El Naseem. The two national holidays usually coincide on the same day. The first celebrates the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion and the second roughly celebrates the coming of spring and its restoring effect on the living. Sham El Naseem is usually celebrated by eating salted herring. If you are brave enough to face the likely food poisoning, you can celebrate it by eating a decomposed fish known as fesikh. Sham El Neseem was passed down to us from ancient Egypt and it managed to survive three religions and the modernisation of Egypt. It is one holiday that commands respect.
