we had our Lord, Russia, “Mickey” and “Samir”… Stories of the October War from old clippings
egyptian mickey “At a time when farmers were ready to sacrifice everything, we would find the grocers who were trying to take advantage of the situation and report them to the Department of Supply Investigation who arrested them.” – Attiyat Hijazi Saoudi, Farmer from the village of Ad Dalatun in Menofia Governorate. We are accustomed to dealing with the October War, the 50th anniversary of which we are commemorating this year in Egypt, in terms of military and political battles and with an economical and geographical lens, only mentioning societal solidarity in passing. This is often represented by a scene of men sitting in a traditional Cairene coffeehouse during Ramadan shouting “God is great! (Allahu Akbar)” as they listen happily to the armed forces’ first statement being broadcast at two in the afternoon, without delving in to the details about the daily lives and personal stories of the people. So, was it really as ideal as this scene leads us to believe? And ho...