Anniversary of el-Gharbiya governorate national day
Egypt, History, 10/7/2000

October 7 marks a National Day for El-Gharbiya Governorate. On this day of the year 1798, the people of this governorate, including the Sheikhs and students of Al-Ahmadi Mosque successfully managed to rebuff the attacks of French Expedition against the city of "Tanta", now the governorate's capital. French boats were burnt down and the invading French forces were beaten down.

El-Gharbiya Governorate lies to the west of the Nile Damietta Branch in mid-Delta. Its present capital is "Tanta", it was known in ancient history as "Tantiad", "Tanaso", and "Tanto" in the Pharaonic era.

Under the Islamic rule of Egypt, the city was named "Tandeta", which was later converted to the present name, Tanta.

The governorate has many traces of Ancient Egyptian history and houses some major Pharaonic monuments such as: - The White House Temple, located at the village of Bahbit Al-Higara, under Samannoud Markaz (provincial town).

It has also the important temple of Sacred Trinity.

- Village of Sal Hagar Bassioun, which was capital of the northern region during the time of the 23rd Dynasty, had also Pharaonic and Roman monuments, as well as remains of ancient town. Excavations are underway to explore this area.

Al-Ahmadi Mosque

This is one of the most important tourist and religious landmarks in Tanta. It is named after the reverend Sheikh and Islamic leader "Ahmed Al-Badawi, who took part in the victorious battles against the Crusaders. The mosque building is in itself a rare piece of Islamic architecture.

Every year in October, popular celebrations are made to commemorate the birth of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Badawi, attended by thousands of citizens from all over the country.

The mosque was built on it's present site by Ali Bey Al-Kabeer and was later expanded by Khedive Ismail and Khedive Abbas. Recent expansions have been made, where minarets, rising up to 85 metres, have been added.

Major Towns

Al Mehalla Al-Kobra

Al Mehalla Al-Kobra is one of the largest industrial centres in Egypt. It houses the factories of Misr Spining and Weaving Company, one of the largest and well-established companies in the Middle East. The town was selected as the seat of this industry by the outstanding economic reformer Tal'at Harb on account of its favourable climate and geographical position.

Starting with a small factory over 20 feddans, the company now occupies a total area of 600 feddans. The company, alone, consumes one fourth of Egypt's total production of long-staple cotton.

The town also houses factories for wool spining, fabric processing, dyeing and printing in addition to rice mills as it lies in close proximity to rice plantations.

Kafr El-Zayat

Kafr El-Zayat lies on the west branch of the Nile (Rosetta Nile Branch). It houses oil presses using cotton seeds, salt and soda factories, cotton ginning plants, chemicals, soap and pesticide factories, in addition to large potato cold stores.

Zifta

Zifta houses the famous Zifta barrages which control the flow of the Nile water to mid-Delta. The town has also another interesting story. During the 1919 Revolution against the British occupation of Egypt, Zifta declared its independence as "Zifta Republic", under a revolutionary council led by Youssef Al-Guindi. A trench was dug around the town to prevent British troops from entering the town.

The British pounded the town, and some of their troops were taken hostages, whereupon negotiations were made between both parties. The national rebels, however, did not surrender and could, by bluffing the British, leave the town unscathed.

Previous Stories:
  President Mubarak's speech on the 27th anniversary of the victory of 1973 October war   (10/5/2000)
  Nasser's passing away commemorated   (9/28/2000)
  Gamal Abdel-Nasser Revolutionary Leader of Egypt (1918-1970)   (9/28/2000)

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