Zoom Africa News – New Jersey

As part of strengthening cultural and national ties among Egyptians abroad, a seminar was held in New Jersey to discuss the book «The House of the Canary,» in the presence of Ambassador Tamer El-Meligy, Consul General of Egypt in New York, Counselor Mustafa Essam, Adel Agib, Head of the Coptic Authority, Dr. Nasseria Fleity, Deputy Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States to the United Nations, along with a selection of prominent figures from the Egyptian community and representatives of diplomatic bodies.

The Egyptian ambassador in New York participates in the "Beit Al-Kharnefsh" seminar for the Egyptian community in America

The seminar was organized by Jacqueline Saad, a member of the Political Participation Committee of the National Council for Women and secretary of the Coptic Authority, in cooperation with a number of influential figures in the community, including Happy Helal, Wafaa Saad, and Mahmoud Al-Barak, who contributed to the success of the event.

In her speech, Jacqueline Saad welcomed the Ambassador and Consul General, praising his continued commitment to supporting community events and strengthening communication channels with the community. She expressed her happiness at the presence of community leaders from the states of New Jersey and New York, stressing that such meetings reflect the spirit of belonging and enhance communication among Egyptians abroad. She added that “Beit Al-Kharnefsh“ brought us together on the values of family and national belonging.

For his part, Ambassador Tamer El-Meligy stressed the importance of the role of embassies and consulates in connecting Egyptians abroad with their homeland, noting his pride in the activities and events offered by Egyptian communities that reflect a positive image of Egypt. He invited attendees to register for the conference of Egyptians abroad, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, next August. He also welcomed writer and media personality Maha Salem, praising her distinguished national expertise in the field of media and communication.

During the seminar, writer and media personality Maha Salem explained that "Beit El Kharnafsh" (The House of Kharnafsh) is not merely a personal story about a house in the Gamaliya neighborhood, but rather reflects a universal human experience rooted in nostalgia and belonging. She stated, "The story isn't about a place, but about the home that resides within every Egyptian, no matter how far they may travel." She added that the work comprises 30 interconnected stories that embody the experience of a generation raised on love for their homeland and a deep connection to the values and traditions of an authentic Egyptian environment, values they carried with them wherever they went.

Salem also reviewed the features of the development that the Egyptian state is witnessing in various sectors, pointing to the political stability and economic growth achieved, which strengthens the confidence of Egyptians at home and abroad. She touched on a number of initiatives aimed at Egyptians abroad, such as "Beit Al Watan" (Homeland), "Mazra'tak Fi Masr" (Your Farm in Egypt), and "Idr Fi Masr" (Study in Egypt), in addition to banking facilities and consular services, which contribute to strengthening their connection to their homeland.

The seminar witnessed broad interaction from the attendees, with discussions taking place about the importance of preserving cultural identity, and the role of the family in transmitting Egyptian values and customs to new generations in light of the challenges of alienation.

At the conclusion of the event, Maha Salem expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and organization, stressing that Egyptians abroad represent an extension of the strength of the Egyptian state, and that preserving the language, culture and stories is one of the most important forms of belonging.

It is worth mentioning that Maha Salem is a writer and media consultant specializing in media strategies, and she is interested in issues of identity and culture, and she has contributions to public and media work at the local and international levels.