Egypt Roundup: 118 new species, 180 election appeals, film controversy

118 new animal species introduced to Giza Zoo

Egypt’s Giza Zoo and Orman Botanical Garden are undergoing their most ambitious transformation in decades, with 118 new animal species being introduced as part of a sweeping biodiversity expansion plan. Mohammed Kamel, Chairman of Hadayek Company, said the newly integrated zoo-garden ecosystem, spanning 114 acres, will feature four lions, three tigers, and 362 newly imported animals, all housed in redesigned open habitats aligned with international standards. Kamel emphasized that the project preserves the zoo’s historic character while elevating it to a regional and global recreational and educational landmark, noting that an African Union delegation has confirmed the development plan’s compliance with international best practices.  

180 appeals over parliamentary election results

Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court has now received 180 appeals contesting the results of the first round of the second phase of parliamentary elections. Appeals have been filed across ten governorates, including Cairo, Dakahlia, Sharqia, Gharbia, North Sinai, and Menoufia. The court’s First Circuit will begin examining each appeal ahead of its December 7 hearing, with the law requiring decisions to be issued within 10 days of filing. The National Elections Authority will continue accepting appeals until December 4, extending work hours until 9 p.m. to meet constitutional deadlines. Losing candidates have 48 hours after results are announced to file objections.

Film controversy

A major cultural and religious backlash erupted after screenwriter Ahmed Mourad said during a Marrakech Film Festival seminar that making a film about the Prophet would be “easier” than making one about legendary singer Umm Kulthum. Prominent preacher Mazhar Shaheen blasted the comment as “recklessness and a lack of modesty towards the master of all creation,” insisting that the Prophet’s status should never be subject to comparison. Mourad’s script for the upcoming film “Al-Sit (The Lady)”, starring Mona Zaki as Umm Kulthum and directed by Marwan Hamed, has drawn intense attention. Mona Zaki reportedly arrives five hours early every shooting day to undergo extensive makeup transformations with a foreign crew.

Cairo governor wins Arab Government Excellence Award

Cairo Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber has been named Best Governor in the Arab World at the Arab Government Excellence Award (2024 - 2025), the region’s highest recognition for administrative and governmental innovation. The award, presented under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honours exemplary governance practices across the Arab world. Saber received the honour from Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, during a ceremony attended by ministers, ambassadors, and governors. The program aims to modernise government institutions, promote innovation, and highlight successful public-sector models capable of driving future-ready governance.

Agriculture Ministry launches nationwide poultry biosecurity campaign

Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched a national awareness campaign targeting poultry farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures, especially during the winter season when respiratory and viral diseases are more prevalent. Over the past two weeks, veterinary teams conducted 610 field visits to farms and held 451 home-breeding seminars across governorates. Dr. Hamed Al-Aqnas, head of the General Authority for Veterinary Services, said the campaign trains breeders on proper disinfection procedures, controlling worker movement inside farms, preventing wild-bird entry, safe disposal of dead birds and waste and early identification of diseases requiring immediate reporting. He confirmed that the epidemiological situation is stable, with rapid-response teams on standby. The ministry plans to intensify outreach throughout high-density poultry regions during the winter.