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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m John, and you're listening to Lesson 11. Sinai Liberation Day. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [عيد تحرير سيناء (ʿīd taḥrīr sīnāʾ)].
The Sinai Liberation Day, which is celebrated every year on April 25th, commemorates one of the most important days in Egyptian history. This day is a public holiday in Egypt; meaning that all public offices are closed.
On this day, Egypt regained the land of Sinai and the last Israeli soldier left it after the Camp David agreement.
In this lesson, we are going to learn more information about Sinai Liberation Day and how Egyptians celebrate it!
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question—
Where exactly is Sinai located?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
Sinai Liberation Day is the day when, in 1982, the entire land of Sinai, except the city of Taba, was liberated from Israeli occupation. Egypt also regained Taba later in 1988, during the leadership of the former president Hosni Mubarak.
Sinai had been occupied since 1967, but the Egyptian army kept struggling in every way possible to regain it in 1973.
Sinai, or [سينا (sīnā)], became a symbol of peace because Egypt fully regained it after a peace treaty, or [معاهدة السلام (muʿāhadet el-salām)], the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, was signed in 1978. The land of Sinai is known for its beauty, charm, and scenic natural environment. Sinai and Taba are among the most beautiful places in Egypt, frequented by tourists from all over the world, who enjoy golden sands, beautiful sea, and tall mountains.
The Sinai region is also famous for medical tourism. People from all over the world come to visit, seeking treatment for skin diseases because it seems that the water and coral reefs, or [الشعب المرجانيه (ālšuʿab el-murǧāneyyah)], of the Red Sea help in treating them and help them get well faster.
Sinai has many names. It is called the "land of turquoise" because of the magnificent color of the sea, which is turquoise, or [الفيروز (elfayrūz)]. It is also called the "land of olives" because it produces the best quality olive trees, which give delicious olives and olive oil, or [زيت الزيتون (zīt el-zaytūn)].
And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz.
Where exactly is Sinai located?
As you may already know, the land of Sinai is between Egypt and Israel. This position is extremely strategic, because it’s where many contacts between the continents of Asia and Africa pass through.
So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you commemorate any similar historical event in your country? Let us know in the comments and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء (ʾilā al-liqaāʾ)!

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