POCKET GUrOE TO EGYPT For use of Military Personnel only. Not to lie republished, in whole or in part, without the consent of the War Depar Prepared by DIVISION, SERVICES C UNITED STATES ARMV A POCKET GUIDE TO EGYPT FONDREr^ _!&.:ARY Stuthern Methodist University DALLAS, TEXAS WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS WASHINGTON, D. C. A POCKET GUIDE TO EGYPT CONTENTS Introduction i Money 3^ Currency Table 37 Paper Notes 37 Weights and Measures 38 Calendar and Time 3^ Check List of Do's and Don'ts 39 Hints on Pronouncing Arabic 42 List of Most Useful Words and Phrases 46 Additional Words and Phrases 51 INTRODUCTION YOU'RE BOUND FOR EGYPT for just one job: To beat the enemy and help bring conclusive victory for the Allied Nations. To do that, you've got to use your brains as well as your body. As an American soldier, you'll also become a sort of Ambassador for your country. Wherever you go, people are going to judge the United States by you. They'll watch you, and listen to you, and say: "So that's what the Americans are like, is it?" We've got a fairly good reputation in the world at large right now. Don't spoil it. Make it better! IS ALL THIS IMPORTANT? You're right it is! Your conduct can shape up as a vital factor in winning this war. So don't laugh it off — because your enemy isn't. Egypt hasn't declared war on the Axis: but she is friendly CO the United Nations. Dr. Goebbels and every one of his aides is working to switch that friendship. The enemy wants you to make mistakes, and so he is working day and night, with his propaganda. He wants you not to gel along with your partners— the soldiers of our Allies who are in Egypt. But most of all, he wants you to make mistakes with the Egyptians. He hopes that, 1 perhaps unwittingly, your manners will offend them, that you'll trample clumsily on their customs, that you'll insult their religion, and that you'll make mistakes about their social attitudes and political beliefs. So here's where you fool the Axis! Read this book carefully. IN ORDER to conduct yourself well in the eyes of the Egyptians, you need to know a little about Egypt, of course. Well, what does an average American know about it? Sure, it has pyramids — and palm trees — and people ride on camels. We've all seen travel movies. And the Children of Israel fled from Pharaoh across the Red Sea to the Promised Land. We know that much from our Bibles. But that's hardly enough to equip you as a one- man good-will mission. Thousands of books have been written on Egypt, but no one of them can tell you all about the country. It's too big and too different from anything Americans know about. So, a different sort of guidebook has been prepared for your information, giving in brief ABC form, a few of the tilings that may interest you and some of the things you need to know. If you exercise a normal amount of curiosity, you'll soon find out more about the land of Egypt than is possible to put in any guidebook. CAN STAND FOR ANTIQUITY. Yes, Egypt's old. We've records of people living there 10,000 years ago. About 5000 B. C. conquerors swept up from the Red Sea. These invaders had developed hieroglyphics — a type of picture writing, often chiseled in sione — and so we have a fairly good record of history in Egypt after that. The first king, or Pharaoh, ruling about 3000 B. C, was named Menes. King Tutankhamen, whose tomb was discovered a few years ago, came some 1,560 years later — ill case you want to ponder how old Egypt is. The Phar- aoh of Moses' time, mentioned in the Bible, is believed to be Merenptah, who ruled about 1226 B. C. Their religion led the people to place importance on preservation of the body after death. Hence, mummies; and hence — as the saying is^the pyramids. The pyramids are royal tombs — you can see them near Cairo. If you're in the Engineers, you might spend your spare time figur- ing how the old Egyptians, without any machinery, man- aged to get those stones into place. Shortly before the birch of Christ, the golden days of Egyptian world leadership began to fade, Rome had her day as a warlike power. Thereafter, Egypt passed under many rulers, among them the Romans, then the Persians, the Arabs, Turks, French and Turks again. In 1914 rhe British established a protectorate in order to guard the Suez Canal against the Turks. After the war, in 1922, the British returned Egypt to the status of independent State. IN ANY GUIDEBOOK on Egypt must stand for Back- shish and Barter. Backshish means something free, a tip, a gift of money, some extra award. It is probably the first Arabic word you'll hear as you land in Egypt. Partly because you arc a well-paid soldier, but more because of the careless lavishness of pre-war American tourists of the wealthy type, you will be fair target for cries of backshish. Don't be a sucker! To fling out coins and watch the boys scramble madly is small-town stuff. And you'll have a mob following you that'll ruin the rest of your day. When you land in a big city, you may be surrounded by a crowd of young men trying to sell you erotic services you don't want, or a bunch of youngsters just crying out for "backshish." Learn to use a couple of Arabic phrases. Simply say: "Mafish Backshish!" (ma-FEESH bal^- SHEESH.) which simply means: "There is no present 4 forthcoming." A more polished way to say "no" in Arabic is: "Allah Ya'tik!" {AHUah yah-TEEK) which in gen- eral means that since God is all-powerful without doubt He will see that the suppliant is rewarded. These phrases are polite but firm. Say either or both and keep walking. Finally you'll be let alone. The same rule holds if you find yourself surrounded by "dragomen" or guides. Just keep on going and say: "Imshi!" {IM-shee), {a perfectly polite Arabic equivalent of "scram" or "beat it!"). Or you can use: "Uskut!" {OOS-kpot)—'^e quiet!" However, if you're in Cairo on leave and want to see the sights, get an accredited dragoman. They congregate opposite Shepherd's Hotel, outside the soldiers' service clubs. Make definite agreement about charges bejore start- ing out. It's the custom. Do the same when hiring a taxi or engaging any such service. There's a lot of almsgiving and tipping in Cairo. When you tip, give 10 percent of the bill, or litde more. For alms, a small coin. Two small coins are considered a more splendid gift than a larger one of equal value. If you want souvenirs — in the big shops prices are marked as in America. But, in the bazaars, you bargain. Bargaining is a national Egyptian pastime, sport, art, and safety valve. Thanks to American movies and tour- ists, you'll always be asked more than a Briton or French- man. But it's only an asking price. Offer one-third of what you're asked. Then haggle, without losing your temper or being discourteous. You can use the old Ameri- can custom of horse-trading to good advantage in your dealings with Egyptian merchants. Also it doesn't pay to fling your money around. That just means higher prices for everyone. Don't fall for the Egyptian version of buying the Brooklyn Bridge — in other words, "genuine" antiques. Common sense tells you a street vendor isn't likely to be selling you what a museum would pay big money for. if you want a few beads, scarabs, or tiny statuettes, they're worth only a couple of piasters. Hotels in Cairo are crowded; accommodation scarce. You can get cigarettes at soldiers' service clubs. Ask there, too, about where to stay while on leave. There are plenty of movies and outdoor cafes in Cairo, As for night clubs, Cairo has plenty of clip joints. If British or American soldiers who arrived before you did tell you to lay off a place, lake the hint. Wherever you may be and whatever difficulties you may encounter, never strike an Egyptian. He has no understanding of combat with fists. The only way he will feel able to avenge an insult to his person, is with 3 knife. IS FOR THE COUNTRY. There are 350,000 square miles of it in Egypt, and 337,664 are desert. There's only a short rainy season, and if you've lived in our dry parts of the West you know what that means. Water is life to Egypt. There's no dry farming. Millions of people are concerned with rainfall, irrigation ditches, getting water to the land. Egypt's 12,000 square miles of arable land lie in the Nile Valley and the Delta below Cairo. The farms are small. Over 4,000,000 families own farms of 2 acres down to a half acre. That means a low standard of living by FOR THE DESERT. Away from the Nile it's dry desert, with only a few water holes, or fertile oases. The climate's no balmy paradise. That desert can be your enemy or friend. Learn from the old-timers— how to defeat its dust, sandstorms, hot winds. Most campaigns have been in the "winter season"; but you've got to learn to fight in all seasons— and do it better than the enemy. Learn to conserve your water sup- ply, for it's the key to life in a desert country like Egypt. STANDS FOR EDUCATION and El Azhar. In a way they're both the same thing. In the last dozen centuries of foreign rule the followers of Islam kept alive the culture and learning of Egypt. The El Azhar at Cairo, founded 520 years before Columbus discovered America, became the seat of Koranic learning. Today El Azhar, guided by the noted Moustapha El Moraghi, ranks as "the oldest university in the world." About 7,000 grammar schools in Egypt work to over- come illiteracy. In Cairo there are 1,500 university stu- dents studying agriculture. Five members of the Egyptian Parliament are graduates of the American university at Cairo, Egypt, like any land going through rebirth, seeks prog- ress through broadened educational facilities, through books, through learning. That's not a Nazi idea of prog- ress, but it's Egypt's — and ours, too. FLORA AND FAUNA. Egypt is a land where a date is something that grows on a tree and is an important economic asset. If you're interested in trees, sycamores, acacias, tamarisks, doom palms, and willows are most com- mon. For fruit: figs, pomegranates, bananas, and oranges. Farm crops are rice, barley, clover, sugar, some wheat, and — most of all — a fine grade of cotton for export trade. As for animals, Egypt has no woods, forests, or jungles, and so there are few wild animals. Camels and donkeys for transport; and the tribesmen have the finely-boned g ... GOVERNMENT. In 1922 when Britain ended the Protectorate, Egypt became a democratic monarchy under King Fuad I. His son. King Farouk, now rules. There's a two-house governing body as in America. The lower house. Chamber of Deputies, is elected solely by the people. The King has great power. He appoints one-third of the members of the Senate, can dissolve the lower house, and his sanction is required for all legislation. Law administration differs from our own. Village and tribal leaders dispense justice in conformity with law. Major civil and criminal cases come before more forma! tribunals. Personal law, however (marriage, death, rights >n), is administered by the Moslem authority. HOSPITALITY. Americans know how to be hospita- ble. There's a trick or two in learning how to accept it abroad. Among the "westernized" or upper-class Egyp- tians, manners are like our own, only a little more formal. Away from the cities, manners arc more purely local. 10 In general, the Egyptian thinks manners are important. He dislikes physical contact. He will shake hands as we do, but doesn't understand a slap on the back. He won't like it. A formal gesture of Egyptian hospitality is the serving of a small cup of coffee. One shows politeness by never refusing the first cup; appreciation by taking a second and third; good breeding by refusing the fourth, A cup turned upside down means you wish no more. There is not a great chance that you'll eat in an Egyp- tian household. If you should, watch your host. If he has "western"' manners, your own are all right. Sometimes there's a basin, pitcher and towel, and diners pour water over their hands before and after the meal. In humbler homes, people eat with the fingers, sometimes from a common dish, using only the right hand. Before starting say; "Bismiliah" (bis-MIL-lah) which means: "In the Name of God!" Never use this phrase, or similar Arabic phrase, carelessly or in vain. It is said as simply as one might say a short grace in a reverent Christian household. Meals usually consist of many dishes, and one is not required to take large portions of each. What is left is the meal of the women and children, who usually are not present, Egyptians serve the syrupy coflee very hot. It is II quite Emily Post to inhale with zooping effect. This indi- cates you're enjoying it — and helps cool it off. An appropriate gift is as welcome a token of apprecia- tion in Egypt as it is back home. But one thing. Don't make a promise, or let an Egyptian think you've made one, that you don't keep. ISKANDARIYYAH. This is the native name for Alex^ andria, main n<:'rt and vital naval base of Egypt. It was named after Alexander the Great who founded it in 332 B. C. Its harbor had the first lighthouse in history a few years later. It also had one of the most famous libraries ever known. J... lARABUB OASIS. Mussolini reached out for this stra- tegic spot long before this war broke out. The Egyptians adjusted the border and Italy got Jarabub tn return for land in the neighborhood of Solium. While on the subject of Italians. Don't think they can't fight. They can, and will, if they think their courage is being mocked. It's true hundreds of thousands of Italians have surrendered to the British, often because. the Ger- mans left them in the lurch. Right now the Italian soldier is puzzling out a prob- lem: whether it's Mussolini or' the Germans he dislikes most. Let him dislike both. Millions of Italians were taught in the old schools that Britain was "Italy's historic friend." Millions more have relatives happy and often prosperous in the United States. IS KHARTOUM. And maybe Kitchener and Kipling. In 1885 an Egyptian army was wiped out by the "Mahdi" in the Sudan. A British expedition under General Charles 13 Gordon was surrounded in Khartoum. After long resist- ance by the garrison, the Fuzzy-wuzzies broke through and wiped out the defenders. The Sudan was pacified and the Mahdi's supporters rounded up by General Kitchener, who later took the tide of Kitchener of Khartoum. Today the Sudanese serve in the Egyptian Army. These black, smart-looking soldiers are tough fighters. I... LANGUAGE. The common tongue of Egypt is Arabic. We took our system of numerals from the Arabs; but we use the Roman alphabet. Thus it is small chance [hat you'll learn to read in Arabic. The spoken language, however, is not hard, although it has certain sounds we do not use in our tongue. There is a glossary in the back of this book. There is no set way to spell Arabic words in our alphabet. It is spoken over a vast area of the East, and has variant local pronunciations. The glossary tries to give you the "sound" of the words as used in Egypt. Educated Egyptians usually speak French and some English. The dragomen and guides in Cairo have picked 14 up some English words. But don't be a greenhorn. Learn to speak a few words of Arabic. The Egyptians are pleased when yoti try it. m MEANS MOHAMMED, MECCA, MOSQUES, MOS- LEMS AND MUEZZINS. In other words— Religion I It is one of the major' points in getting along with the Egyptians. The Prophet Mohammed was born in Mecca, in Arabia, in 570 A. D. As a boy he tended sheep. As a man, he gained wealth, and became repelled by the idolatry and murder and infanticide of the people. He spent much lime in prayer about this in caves near Mecca. In these caves he was visited by the Archangel Gabriel who spoke words to him which later were written into the Koran — the Holy Book of the Moslems. Mohammed braved death to preach his new religion of one God. After his death Islam (the Moslem religion) spread rapidly over Asia Minor, Egypt, into Turkey, India, and parts of Africa. In those lands you will see the mosques (temples) with their minarets or towers. The "muezzin" is the official who stands in the minaret and calls "the faithful" to prayer five times daily — at IS [lawn, noon, late afcerncwan, sunset, and after dusk. His chant repeats the phrases: "God is great. There is no God but Allah. Mahomet is his Prophet. Come ye to prayer. God is great. There is no God but Allah." On that call the Mtwlem kneels on his rug in prayer. Tslam teaches belief in one God — a creator who rules with love and mercy. The Moslem also knows of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — as Prophets of the Lord. His religion forbids intoxication, gambling, and usury; calls blessed those who give alms to the poor. He believes in a Judgment Day when "unbelievers" are cast into hell. The "faithful" go to Paradise when they die. It may sound as if there's enough likeness between that religion and your own to afford pleasant academic dis- cussion. Forget it. The world records few, if any, religious arguments that ever ended with anyone the gainer. To a Moslem you are "an unbeliever" and that can cause trouble—ii you don't use common sense. Common sense means that if you see men kneeling in prayer in the open don't scare — or take a snapshot. Common sense means you conduct yourself with pro- priety if you happen to pass a mosque. Don't spit or laugh or start monkeyshines. There arc a few certain mosques in Cairo of great 16 beauty which are open for visitors. A reputable guide knows which they are. But never try to visit the others.. Don't go into any mosque alone. Keep away from them Over 90 percent of Egyptians are Moslems. There is an ancient Christian sect — the Copts. They number about 6 percent of the population, but their influence is larger than this indicates. But the Copts, like the Moslems, do not welcome the slightest interference or irreverence to their religious customs. Remember, one of the principles for which we fight this war is that "every man shall have the right to wor- ship God in his own way." n IS FOR THE NILE, the 4,000-mile river that is the life- blood of Egypt. The Nile is Egypt. Moses was found in the bulrushes beside it. Anthony and Cleopatra sailed on it. Up through history armies have sailed up it. It irri- gated the land and it bore the transport of the people. Today, although Egypt has railroads for transport, it is no less the lifeblood of the country. Each year it overflows, leaving rich deposits to refer- 17 tilizc the precious farm lands. This rise and fall of the river is regular each year. The river runs iow in April. Tlien, fed by tropical rains in far-off Abyssinian high- lands, it starts to rise. By the end of September at Thebes, it is 36 feet higher. After that date it slowly subsides. The Nile, in case you're looking for omens, is a patri- otic river. In July the water runs red; up at the source it's called the White Nile; at Khartoum it's joined by the Blue Nile. IB IS THE OMAD, village head man empowered by law to dispense justice. On official business in any village, seek out the Omad and pay courtesy call. He can simplify any problems of food, bedding, billeting, etc. In Bedouin tribes of the desert, the Sheik (Shake) is the leader. In dealing with Omad or Sheik, conduct yourself with dignity. An Egyptian is much more liable to base his judgment on the person than on the matter at hand. Generally the American mind says: "If the deal adds up, the man must be O. K." The Egyptian mind is more liable to put iti "If the man is O. K., then the deal must be all right." STANDS FOR THE PEOPLE— about 16,000,000 of them in Egypt, and 12,000,000 wring a living from the land. They can be divided into four classes. There's the professional or official class— people with some money. These people are cultured, are often "West- ernized" in custom and dress. However, they are more ■'European" than "American." Many have travelled, speak several languages, are slightly more formal in manner In the cities is the artisan class — shopkeepers, craftsmen, skilled workers. They arc patient individuals and are used to soldiers. To soldiers in Egypt every one of these Egyptians — dragomen, guides, merchants — is "George." He seems to like being called "George." It's one of the jokes of Cairo, and works with good feeling both ways. Many of the artisan class work at spinning and weav- ing cotton. There arc some craft unions, but the indus- trial employee is not a power in the political life of Egypt. Finally, there are the peasant-farmers — 12,000,000 of them — the "Fellaheen." By western standards the fella hasn't much. His home's without comfort. He eats little beyond bread, lentils, beans, onions, and very occasional mutton at feasts. But in the main he seems contented. Finally there's the Bedouin — the semi-nomadic tribes- man of the desert. Some Bedouins have become farmers; but they are belter with animals than crop raising. On the sparse vegetation of the desert they raise camels. Goat- herding is looked on as an undignified business. As in many parts of the world outside America, cloth- ing denotes class or profession. In Cairo you can see most of these people pass — the wealthy garbed as in Paris or London; the artisan in gown and tarboush or turban; the alim, or Moslem professor in snow-white turban and robes; the Bedouin in burnoose and knotted headdress, proud of his hereditary right to carry arms; and always, the fellaheen, in their brown skullcaps, usually in blue Many of those 16,000,000 see Egypt facing a new era. They want Egypt to "go places." They understand Amer- ica is a land that is "going places," too. In general, there- fore, they'll be friendly to you. IS FOR THE QATTARA DEPRESSION. This below- sea-level area is a sort of combination of the Dakota bad- lands and California's Death Valley. General Alexander used the O^'fs''^ Depression as a hitching post for the British left flank in his defense of Egypt until he rebuilt his Eighth Army into an attacking force. West of the Qattara Depression lies the Libyan Desert and Cyrenaica over which the war has flowed. !t has been more like naval warfare than land fighting, with the object not so much to conquer land as to destroy the It has been ding-dong fighting. The Italians won the 21 easy first round in September 1940, when they invaded Egypt and reached Sidi Barrani. General Wavell with a small army kicked them 400 miles back to E! Agheila in January 1941, until some of the best of his few troops were taken away and sent to help Greece. Rommel coun- terattacked and, in May 1941, reached Bardia. The Brit- ish chased Rommel almost back to El Agheila again in January 1942. Rommel then pushed forward to the Qat- tara area where he stayed until the great British onslaught in October 1942, which started the grand Allied attack on all North Africa. r . RAMADAN. It's the great religious holiday of the Mos- lems, and it's where you watch your step. During Rama- dan many public and business houses are closed, and for a month the devout Moslem touches no food, drink, or tobacco, between sunrise and sunset. To make up for this, he often stays up all night. As a result of this fasting and lack of sleep, even the Moslem often gets touchy and bad-tempered. It is especially during the religious ecstasy of Ramadan that Moslems resent anything that seems like interference or disrespect from an "unbeliever." Remember, during Ramadan, tobacco, or a drink. And keep away lirely in this season. {See later notes or Don't be a fool about this. Failuri religious tabus may ind your comrades. offer a native food, from mosques en- TABUS.) to observe sincere )us consequences to SUEZ CANAL. This is why Egypt is such a vital thea- tre of war. At present we link hands with Russia, while Germany and Japan are cut oR from each other. The German dream of smashing into the great oil fields of the Caucasus and of winning Asia Minor, together with a Jap drive up through India, would mean they'd link hands. Then we'd be separated— as our enemies are now. The Suez Canal is ihe vital artery of supply in this Middle East bastion just as the Panama Canal is in America. The United Nations must defend and maintain them both. Early in history men saw that a canal dug across the 87-mile neck between Africa and Asia would reshape the shipping communications of the world. In 1798, Napo- leon ordered a survey. His engineer, LePere, computed the Red Sea was 30 feet higher than the Mediterranean. 23 Hence a canal would flood the Mediterranean and make :i mess of Europe. So Napoleon called the deal off. In 1869, Ferdinand de Lesseps constructed the present canal. Six years later the Egyptian Khedive, who held about half the stock in the canal company, wanted to sell out. Prime Minister Disraeli, who knew a bargain when he saw one, persuaded Queen Victoria that the Brhish should buy the shares for $20,000,000. The British gained \(»tLng control of the canal, which was open, however, to As we defend the Panama Canal, the British defend this life-line, and this has been the root of political trouble in Egypt. The British have aided in forming the present free Egypt; but still desire to maintain troops there, as we do in the Panama Canal Zone. IS FOR TABUS. Here a Devout Moslem worner at ihem, speak to them, A dog is an unclean in hand. Its presence ii pork^ — even in what so 24 1 few of them for Egypt. are heavily veiled. Do not stare ir try to attract their attention, mimal. If you have one, keep it defiling. Never offer 3 Moslem ne misguided gagsters may con- sider fun. Do not even get a Moslem to touch pigskin leather, or any object that has touched a pig or pork. (Note, if you think this a joke, remember hundreds of white women and children died because of such a belief. See history books on the Indian Mutiny and "greased cartridges.") Do not loiter or stare at people at prayers; or enter a Mosque unless a guide takes you to an "open" one. Do not spit near a Mosque. Drinking is repellant to a devout Moslem. He will be disgusted if he sees you drinking too much or drunk in :ly. your glat Q get into a camera vil. Don't iendly Moslem In Cairo "Cieorge" i Don't snap pictures in Some Moslems belie try to take children or should happen to indicate his wife, or childre a ^xissession — do not stare. Let your eye pass on and say: "Mashallah" (ma-SHAH-a-LAH). This means, 'Traise be to God," and lakes the curse off your "evil eye." And remember, be especially careful not to offend Mos- lem sensitivities at Ramadan. u MEANS UNITED NATIONS. You've got Allies in this war. Get to know them in Egypt. You can learn from the old-timers — and nothing could make the Axis agents angrier than to have you pay no attention to all the bunk put out about you and your Allies. In Egypt there are British Tommies speaking the var- iant county accents of England, Wales, and North Ire- land, Their comrades died by thousands on the desert until [hey got more and better equipment. You'll find English regiments which have fought through every successful allied offensive in Africa; tough 26 5 quieter — ■-. There are Highlanders r kilts home in this war e scrappy little Ghurkas ;ver sheath their knives Australians who've whipped the e; New Zcalandcrs and South Afrii hut no less good men in the line. ffom Scotland — they've left thei and light in "breeks." There ar from India, who boast they m once drawn until blood has flowed. So don't ask to see a Ghurka's knife. There are Fighting French, and even Poles, Greeks, and Czechs who escaped from their lands and carry on the fight. Learn to distinguish these soldiers. Although many are in British uniforms, they like to be recognized for what they are. So learn distinguishing marks. The Scots regiments still wear their bonnets. The black lierets mean the wearers are in the British tank corps. The Australian "digger" has liis slouch hat. Usually the others have distinguishing badges on their shoulders. These soldiers have set names for each other. Just as every Egyptian is "George," every Scottish soldier is "Jock" to his friends. Every Ghurka is "Johnnie." An Australian is either "Digger" or "Australia." The others are called by their shoulder badges: "Poland," or "New Zealand," or "Durham," or "Koyli." In turn you will be "Yank." If you're from the South, you may spend hours explaining your definition of a Yankee. It won't matter. You'll still be "Yank" and they mean it in a friendly way. V . . . IN ANY COUNTRY WHERE OUR TROOPS ARE SERVING STANDS FOR VICTORY. The first step- ping stone to it is for the soldier to keep himself mentally alert and physically fit. Keeping one's health in Egypt is not as easy as at home. Venereal diseases are highly prev- alent in the Near East. There's one relatively sure way not to get them; keep away from women. The country has enough disease without running this 30 risk— disease you have little natural Military medical science has clone wonders in Lombatting disease — you've been given shots to immunize you from many. But the best weapon against disease is >our own common sense. So in Egypt, keep clean and don't get lousy; lice carry typhus. Never rub your eyes with soiled rags or towels. Don't drink canal or river water until it's been treated. ( Drink local coffee without fear, for it's so scalding hot there's small chance of a germ being left alive in it.) Never swim in the Nile, in canals, or irrigation ditches. The water teems with a small leech that plants disease parasites in your blood. And don't forget — keep out of brothels. Cairo and Alexandria teem with pimps and procurers. Just say "Imshi!" and keep on going. Vv • • • IS FOR THE WAFD. The Wafd, or extreme National- ist party, led in the fight for Egyptian independence. It is in power today, but now stands for cooperation with the United Nations against the Nazi. Remember, how- ever, that Egypt is not at war with the Axis, and to many Egyptians we are soldiers who, if not intruders, are at 31 least interrupting their normal life. We owe them decent treatment and respect, which means avoiding any act or attitude which will add to their irritation. The Atlantic Charter says we fight so that "all peoples shall choose the form of government under which they shall live" and that ''all men should traverse the seas and oceans without hindrance." Britain, Russia, China, and 24 other nations subscribed to that charter. It's what we're fighting for, and don't let any quisling, whisperer, fifth columnist, faint-heart or "inside informal ion ist" tel! you different. IN MATHEMATICS IS THE UNKNOWN QUAN- TITY. It's the same in warfare. There are plenty of things about our side the enemy would like to know. Keep them unknown. Keep your mouth shut. In any land like Egypt, with mixed population, vary- ing dialects and dresses, it is not hard to keep agents and spies circulating. Remember Lawrence of Arabia used to walk round as an Arab in Turkish-held cities in the last war — and he had blond hair and blue eyes to give him away. Yet he got away with it. In public, on the streets, in the coffee-houses, don't talk about who you are, whe e you ame f om, how you got there, who was with you ha equ pment you have. Get in the habit of letting the o he fello do the talking. If you do happen to gc ap u cd give your name, number, and rank. Tha 11 nt^n onal law requires you to tell, no matter ha bluff you captor puts up. And thereafter continue o keep qu e Dropping a stooge among prisoners to pun p hem d y an old trick. No matter where you are in the war zone, take a tip from the Egyptian Sphinx. It has stood in silence for thousands of years. IS FOR YASHMAK— or a veil over the face. Devout Moslem women go veiled. And in case you've been read- ing how "the jasmine-scented night air throbbed to the bulbul's song as a tiny veiled face peered from the lat- tice," just put it all back in fiction. It isn't so. Modern Cairo is becoming "emancipated." Girls go to high school, or work in the shops and stores. They go to dances, and look much like American girls in dress. But they are not American. They are more "European" in spirit — that means stricter in manners. 33 But among older people, and away from the cities, the strict Moslem codes scil! prevail, and the women are veiled. It means, to all practical purposes, that the woman does not exist as far as anyone but her husband is con- cerned. So do not treat any Egyptian woman casually — and when one is veiled, that means strict Moslem. Do not stare at her, speak to her, or even jostle her. Act as if she wasn't there. That's exacdy what the Moslem wants you to do. She doesn't exist. IS FOR 2ELMA. And in Arabic that means one man, a soldier, a footsoidier. And that, for the most part, is you. You're from an eastern factory town maybe, or Iowa farm, or western ranch, but wherever you're from, you've been brought up under democracy. And now you're going to a place where you'll be a walking example of our way of life. People will judge democracy by you. Remember a few things about it. Democracy is a free, open way of life thai is threat- ened by a system of oppression. That's why we're in this Democracy is built on the right of free choice — the right of man to worship God in his own manner. Re- spect the Moslem's right to do exacdy that; don't do any- thing that he thinks defiles his religion or his temples. Democracy believes in people seeking happiness through their own way of life, with their own customs — not in forcing them to adopt the system of life of a stronger nation. Respect the Egyptian's customs and hab- its as oudined in this book. Don't stare at his women, laugh at his manner, or offend his dignity. Democracy doesn't believe in the "super-race" idea. 35 But our beliefs will be judged by what we do. Don't bully, don't brow-beat— and neaer strike an Egyptian. Finally, whenever in doubt — just be your own, natural, American self. This book can't make you an expert on Egypt or Arabic. So if you don't know something, just ask a question. The Egyptians arc much like any other people. They're usually cheerful, and the United States is known as a country that hasn't any territorial ambitions. They don't care for windbags or braggarts, and will meet honesty with honesty. So if you ask an honest question, or try to speak Arabic they'll be pleased {and perhaps amused). But they'll be ready to help anyone who is trying sin- cerely to understand their way of life. The basic unit of money is the Egyptian Pound, writ- ten £^E. This sign comes before the numeral, as with our f sign. The ^^E, worth $4.00, is divided into 100 piasters (pee-AS-Sers) and each piaster is further divided into ten miUiemes {meel-VEEMS). There is a good deal of counterfeit money. Learn to examine it, and tell the good from the bad. Tf you have to change any American dollars, go to a reliable bank or oiEce. Professional money-changers may try to gyp you. CURRENCY TABLE Egypt has many c oins. Here's a isi of them: Namf I'millicme a'i milliemcs 5 inilliemes (", pi- Kind 0/ wclal bronze nickel nickel nickel Anie '/6cent nr ter) 2 piasters 5 piasters 20 piasters ZE' (1., pound) ^E. (pound) nickel silver silver silver silver gold gold 4 cents 8 cents 40 cents 80 cents Si .00 S4.00 Name PAPER NOTES Araa IE 1 (pound).. . . ■ 4 00 £E .0 (10 pounds). iE 50 (50 pounds) j£E 100 {loo pounds) 00 As in all lands, there are familia coins. The pound is sometimes 5-piaEtcr silver coin is sometimes called called for some of the a LEE-ra. The a shilling. The lo-tniUieme or piaster coin is a "GIRSH" or a "SAGH." The 5-mi!lieme or '/j-piaster is commonly a "ta-REE-ja" or a "GIRSH sa-GHEER." WEIGHTS AND MEASURES The metric system of France holds in Egypt. Here's a rough distance table: I centimeter = two-fifths of an inch. I meter {lOo centimeters) = 39 inches (over a yard). I kilometer (1,000 meters)=about three-fifths of a mile. Liquids are sold by the litre (LEE-ter), which is a little larger than our quart. Gasoline is measured in British Imperial gallons, which are one-fifth larger than our own. CALENDAR AND TIME ACTUALLY there are four calendars in Egypt, The Gregorian (the one we use), the Jewish, the Coptic, and the Moslem. The last one is the common one you should know something about. The Moslem calendar is based on the moon, not the sun. Thus each month has exactly 28 days. Because of this, Moslem holidays don't fall on the same date in our reckoning. As the important Feast of Ramadan began September 12 in 1942, it begins September i in 1943 (note that date). 38 The clock used by the Egyptians is the 24'hour one. Two p. m. thus is 14 o'clock. Our Army has officially adopted the same system. CHECK LIST OF DO'S AND DON'TS Don't enter mosques. Smoke or spit somewhere else — never in front of a Keep silent when Moslems are praying, and don't stare at them. •■ religion or women — [th Discuss something else- Moslems. Don't offer food, water, or cigarettes to a Moslem during the month of Ramadan, except after sundown. Don't offer a Moslem alcohol or pork in any form. If you have a dog, keep it away from individual Moslems and from mosques. ■ Don't talk politics with the Egyptians (especially English- Egyptian relations). Expect to bargain for anything you buy, and do it good humoredly. If you can, find out from people who have been in Egypt fair prices to pay for what you buy; stick to them and don't overtip. Ignore Egyptian women completely. Never strike, push, or jostle Egyptians. If offered a firsi, second, or third eup of coffee, skip the fourth one. Remember, Egyptians believe in the "Evil Eye," so don't admire children unless ihey are forced on your atten- tion. Then say Ma-ihatlah ("God be praised") imme- diately. This holds for taking photographs, too. Always say Bismiltah {bis-mil-LAA) before food when eating with Egyptian Moslems Always say Hamdullah {et-HAM-dool-LAA) at the end of the meal. Start eating only after your host has begun. Always tear your bread with your fingers— never cut it. Eat with your right hand only — even if you're a south- paw. Remember to leave something in the main food bowl^ what you leave goes to the women and children. Unless you have a cast-iron stomach, eat only a part of the first course — there may be four or five more coming. Knock before seeking admission into 3 house. If a woman answers, wait outside until she has had time Take off your shoes before entering ; socks on. m — leave your When visiting don't overstay your welcome. The third glass of tea or coffee is the signal to go, unless you are quartered there. Be considerate of servants. The Moslems arc very demo- Avoid any expression of race prejudice. The Moslems draw no color line. Speak Arabic whenever possible, no matter how badly you may pronounce it. The Egyptians will be pleased and may help you. Especially, learn to use Arabic greetings and courtesy words, such as: ai'Sa-LAA-moo 'a-LAY-^oom ("Peace be unto you") said upon meeting anyone. The person replying answers -a-LAY-li_oom sa-LAAM. tz-ZAl-ya^ ("How are you") means the same as the last el-HAM-dool-LAA ("Praise God"); sometimes you will hear KWAI-yis (-Well") or fee-'a-MAAN il-LAA ("In the safety of God"). na-HAAR-ak, sa-'EED ("May your day be happy") is a common greeting. The usual reply is na-HAAR-a^ sa-'EED 00-mu-BAA-ra^ ("May your day be happy and blessed"). KAT-tar KHAYR-a^ means "Thank you." 41 in-SMAAL-a-L/t. ' ("If God wills") is used like our "God willing"; it is used whenever you speak of something you are going to do or is going to happen in the future. MA-'as-sa-LAA-ma is a common expression for "good- bye." HINTS ON PRONOUNCING ARABIC THESE are pronunciation hints lo help you in listening to the Arabic language records which have been supplied lo your troop unit. They will also help you with the pronunciation of additional words and phrases given ill the vocabulary below, which are not included in the records. Arabic is sjwken over a great area in North Africa and the Near East. There are some differences between re- gions, both in pronunciation and the use of words. The pronunciation you will hear on this set of records is that of Cairo and the surrounding district since this pronunci- ation is considered the standard and is understood throughout Egypt. In other parts of the country you will hear slightly different pronunciations. If you should go on to other regions, where other varieties of Arabic are spoken, you will be given further information at that lime. Don't worry about that now. There is nothing very difficult about Arabic — except 42 papers you will alphabet from cabulary below guage, but are language as it s sounds you mu: 1 different 1 let -. That ib because they i s. Therefore, the i not based on the written Arabic Ian- simplified system of representing the ds. This system contains letters for all lake to be understood. It does not con- le of the sounds you will hear, but it you enough to get by on, both listening and 43 Here are a few simple rules to help you: 1. Accents. You know what the accented syllable of a word isi of course. It is the syllable which is spoken louder than the other syllables in the same word. We will show accented (loud) syllables in capital letters and un- accented syllables in small letters. 2. Vowels. These are the kind of sounds we repre- sent in English by o, e, i, o, a, ai, au, ay, etc. Just follow the key below and you will have no trouble. a or A equals the a in father. At times it will sound like the a of pal or even the r of pel. Proitounce it exactly ai you hear it on the records. (Exam- ple: SA-ba-'a meaning "seven.") aa at AA equals the same sound as above but stretched out. Remember that it is important to pronounce the short vowi-ls short and the long vowels long. (Eiample; na-HAAR-ali sa-'EED meaning "good day.") i or I equals the i of hil. Always very short. (Example: SIT-ia meaning "six.") ee or EE equals the ee in fef. (Sonietimcs sounds like the ay in day.) Always very long. {Example; MEE-ya meaning "hundred.") u or U equals the u in piu. Always very short. (Example: RUZ meaning "rice.") 00 or OO equals the oo in loo. (Sometimes sounds like the o in go.) Always very long. (Example: et-ba- BOOR meaning "the train.") ay or AY equals the ay in day. (Example: FAYN meaning "where.") au or AU equals the ow in Aow, (Example: 'AUZ meaning ai or AI equals the 0/ in aiile or the / in ice. (Example; 'Al-u/a meaning "yes.") e or E equals the e in gel. (Example: el meaning "the.") o or O equals the in go. (Example: ROB-'a meaning "quar- ter.") 3, Consonants. The consonants are all the sounds that are not vowels. Pronounce them just as you know them in English. AU consonants should be pronounced. Never "slight" them. Learn these special consonant sounds: h or H is always protiounced. At the end of a syllable it sounds like letting out your breath. (Examples; WAA-hid. meaning "one"; -AYH. meaning "what") kh or KH is like the sound you make when clearing your throat to spit. Listen carefully for it on the record. (Example: KHAM-sa. meaning "five,") gh or GH is like the k,l> except that you put your "voice" into it; that is, it is very much the sound you make when you gargle. Listen carefully for it on the records. (Example; IRSH SAGH. meaning "five cents.") sh or SH equals the sh in show. (Example: 'ash'REEN, mcan- mg I ■■") like a slight cough or choke as when in English we cut the words "no" or "yeh" off very short. It is also like the sound you hear in the middle of "uh-uh." (Example: 'ylf-«ifl, meaning "yes.") LIST OF MOST USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES HERE is a list of the most useful words and phrases you will need in Arabic. You should learn these by heart. They are the words and phrases included on the Arabic language records and appear here in the order they occur on the records. CrMtlnci and Ganml PhratM [F.nKlish — Simplified Arabic Spelling] Good Aiy — fia-HAAR-ak. sa- Thank jou—mn-w-SH^^K-*;. ■£ED Yes— ■^7-H'fl Good evening — mee-S/f el- tin— LA' KHAVR Do you undcrsland n\e:}—IN-la Mow are yQUi-—iz-ZAI-ya>i ja-HIM-nee Sir— ya a-FAN-dee I don'l understand — 'A-na Madam or Miss— ya SIT-!ee MUSH FAA-hirn Pltase— W/W FADM Please speak slowly— M/W FAD- Excuse me— -^W ■IZ-na'i lot ii-KAL-lim bi-SHWAVSH Where (is)— F^VA" the railroad slat ion— ^/-ma- a restaurant- /.,-K^N-rfK HAT-la 'AKL Where is the railroad station,'— Where h a restaurant,'— F^YJV FAYN el-ma-HAT-ia hi-KAN-di! -AKL a toilet- ma-ra-HE'EO a \iaK\—lii.KAN-da Where is a toilet?— MYA' ma- Where Is a hoKV—FAYN lu- ra-HEED KAN-di, \cit~UF -A-la SHMAAL —WAA-hid —ir-NAYN :e—ra-LAA-la ¥iw—KHAM-ia „ you One kilometer— If^^-A/rf l;ee- Thirlecn— M-Za-T^^-rAai- lo -METR FnurK'^n—ar-ki'-TAA-siar Six— SIT-lo Fihecn-liAams-TAA-sAar Scwcn—SA-ba-'a Sixicen-iit-TAA-sliar Eij-hi-ra-MAAN-ya Scvemecn—sab--a-TAA-sliar Nmc—TIS-'a Eishtcen-ra-inaii-TAA-sliar Ten- A -sia-ia Nina couple of hundreds, five and fifty." "couple of hundreds, five and fifty," KHAM-m wi- ifiaa—'ALF What \s—AYH Jh\^—DA What's thi,?— '^y// DA \—A-«a wsai—'AUZ Bread— 'AYSH Butter- Z/B-rfri Fruii— F^,^K-*fl Water— JWv*/-yfl An egg— BAV-da 48 Eggs— S^YD Sleak— An/-T/jyK Meat— L^H-mfl Poialoes— *a-r,4/(-/r Rice— RfZ Beans— FOOL Beer— fl£E-ra Fhh—SA-mal( A glass of beer— ^H-B^/-y;> $3i3[k— La-ban za-BAA- rf« To find out how much things co t, you say: How much— *;-K,J^M How much is this?— W-K^^M this— D£-E DEE Tlie answer will usually be give n you in coins worth iVi cents, 5 cents, and a dollar. For other coin and bills and their values see the section on money in the pamphlet Two and a half cents— VflJH Five KDU—'IRSH SAGH ta-REE-ja A dollar- rfe-y.^,'fl The train— f/-Afl-BOOR IL-k TILT leaves— y/W-/AM Whrn does ihe train leavt?— Today— fn-na-H,4R-da EM-m YIM-i/iM cl-ha-BOOR or il-YOM Tomorrow— Bt/K-ra Day* of th* WMk SuaA3'j—et-HAD iAonda-i—el-il-NAVN TMsAs-j—cl-la-LAAT Wed ncsda y—el-'AR'ha' Thursday— fZ-^Afl-MEES Friday— f/-G(JM-B Saturday— cj-5^fiT For "goodbye" or "good night" you can say: sa-'EE-Ja A more fornial way of saying NslM on th* Esyptlan Record T*xt Another word tar "good evening" or "good night" is ia-'EE-da. "Good Night" is also LAYL-tak sa-'EE-da. For ''Sir" or "Mister" you lan also say ha-DRIT-al( and for "Madam," ha-DRn-lih.- Another very common word for "thank you" is as-KOOR-a^. For "restaurant" you will also hear MAT-'am. Another way of saying "turn right" or "turn left" is IM-shcc ■A-ta ya-MEEN-ak. and JM-ikce 'A-la SHMAAL-ak- Another word for train is 'ATR. a!-ia-LAA-n,oo ■a-LAY?koor« {Peace be unto >-ou) is also used as a general greeting when people meet. The replv is usuall)' ■a-LAV-l(oom sa-LAAM. 50 ADDITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES Natural Objaeb, etc. I Englhh— Simplified Arabic Spelling} cij—SHAT or SAA- minm—A-mar hil darkness— D^L-ma sea- fl^HR daytime— na-Hyl^R rain— M^-(ar descrt-^^H-™ stiow— T^LC field (culovatcd)-CH^yr spring (water-hole, clc.)~BEER (il[cy—^i'AA-dee lake— *n-W^y-rj TInH day— yojtf or na-HAAR evening- M/-/J — BA'D night— L^YL BUK-ra month— JH^-Aflj- day before yesterday— -■AA-wal week— GUM- a i-n-BAA-rih year— SWW-a MonHii ol tht Y«r Unuary~ie-NAI-yir fuly— Yt/i..ya Fcbr\i3iy—fe-BRAI-yi7 A ugu s t— a -GH05 -/Of Match— MARS September- JcA-TEM-Scr April— aS-ie/L Octobc c—oli-TO -her Miy—MAI-o Novein \Kt—no-FEM-ber Jan<:—YUN-ya December— di-SEM-ber Rclallonihlpa ■nd Drink, Tobacb boy— WA-kd mln-RAA-gil hiothii—'AKH m h — I/M child— T/fL 1 — REEB daughter or girl— fl/AT — UKHT father— '^B —IBN hmi\y—'AA-la ■* n—SIT huiband— GOZ Hunwn *ody mm—di-RAA' hand— EED back— D/J-Aar head— ;f^^5 car— IC/DiV mouth— fUM or BOO' eye— '^VJV Mck—RA--a-ba body— CISM nasc^mi^-na-KHEER finger — sa-BA' Kelh—SNAAN foot or leg— K/GL toe—sii-BA- RIGL hair— SH^-R HauMand FurnHur* bed— li-REER or f ^fiSH room— 0-rfrI iain—sa-LAA-Iim AfE£-yfl owcn—FURN chair— K(/R-frt primus stove— wa- BO OR door— BAAB table— (fl-ra-B^y-jfl house— B^VT wall— //^V-/fl kitchen— M^r-ifli^A water for washing— MJ/- gha-SEEL mosquito -nel— no -m o s-SEE-ya Wxndov)—ih,b-BAAK hananas— MOZ cabbage— ^w-RfMB cauliflower— 'flr-oj-B£ET cucumbers— i^A«-y^Hfi food— '//KL lemons— /fl-MOOiV ora ngcs — bur-lu- 'A AN orange juice — 'a-SEER bit •AAN bndge—KVB-nc or 'an-TA-r,! church— *i-W£E-fa city— ma-DfE-Hfl or BA-lad market place — SOO' m osque — GAA -ma' path— 5/Ar-^fl post office— M.JK-rui cl-BOS-ta amma\—H Al-ya-u'i. bird— r/fVR camel — GA-mal chicken— MK-^/ifl cow— B/f-fl-ra dof,—KALB wMCTmclvo—iu-TEEKH pipe— BEE-ba radishes— F/GL salt— M-JLH sugar-^UK-^ar tea— SH^Y tobacco— ./n^/i-K//^,JN tomatoes- /fl-M^H-/im or X turnip — UFT wine— oi-BEET police post— All- LEff5 or IcB-ra- KOHN {in city) or MAR-liat (in villages) io3d—SIK-^a i|hop (stoic)— diik-KAAN sma—SHAA-ri' town or villagi well— SEER -BA-lad doakcy—hii-MAAR duck— Bt/r-M goat — MA-'a-sa hotsc—Aii-SAAN mouse or iH—FAAR \Me—li,l,in-ZEER ihcep—g/iB-NAM Inxctl 3.Mi-~NAML bedbugs— fl^' fleas— tfl-ra-CHEET ^Ki—dih-BAAN \kc—-AML mosquitoes— nfl.M005 scorpion— ■/(■.ro./,fl spider— -an-^a-BOOT spider- like poisonous inse ■A-boo SHA-bal baker — Ifhah-BAAZ nr RAAN barber— Aa/-L^' or ni-ZAI blacksmiih— AflJ-D^^D butcher- gflz-Z^^S i:m,V.—teb-BAAKH docwr-tu-BEEB jar- hTmer—UI-LAAH )3iim\rym3n—ma^-WAA-s'' yin mechanic- raw-^fl-WEE-^if servani:- ^*Brf-Dy(^M shoe ma kc t—gaz -MAA-gee Cloth Inc bck~hi-ZAAM bpols or shoes — GAZ-ma gloves— ClC^JVvff hat—bar-NEE-m jackei — ja-KET-ta necklK—^a-ra-VAH-la ayeiQoiJ— B A L-to shin— -B-M£-f5 slu>rts (underwear)— ii-fl^S shorts— Aan-Zfl-LOA' u-SAl-y socks— GOZ sha-RAAB iviK3Xei—"!fTiey" irou scrs— ion -M-L OW good— KWAI-yis or TAI-yib bid— MUSH KWAI-yis big— l(i-B£ER sinall— rfl-CHf£R or n,-CH long or \i\\—la-WEEL ib',<\—kT—AU from—M/iV on— -A-la in-/« lo-/L-fl inside—GO-a-o wiih— M/f ol—bi-TAA- up Ko—li-HAD AdMrlM,ab:. a.bovc—FOK or 'A-la in front- 'rirf-D^/fM again— TAA-nic less- fl-'^L also; once aga.\a—^a-MAAN like— Z^/ behind— WA-ra near— fl-REES below— T^Hr now— AV-»'^-/« besid^-G^JWB not ya—US-sa enough — l(i-FAA-ya Jhae—hi-NAK l3,—hi'-EED logcther— iW,^' BA'D htn^Hlna wheK—FAYN imniedialely or soon - ■A- TOOL or HAA'ian WAAM Today is Tuesday, etc. — eii-rm- HAR-da fl-la-LAAT Come here— la-'AA-la Come quickly — la-'AA-la 'a- WAAM Go quickly— ?M-jAm 'a-WAAM oi ROH -a WAAM Who arc you?— MEEN IN-ta? What do you want'— '^fZ ■AYH? Bring some water— H^r MAl- ya Bring some food— H-^T 'AKL Whose house is this?— ByfYT MEEN DAH? Where is the barracks or ampr—FAYN el-iish-LAA'? Where is water?— f/IYW ri- MAI-ya? Where is the nearest village?— FAYN -A-rab BA-lad? Be careful! or Watch out!— HAA-sib! or KHUD BAA-Ul<'. Dinscr\—KHAA-!ar! Wait a minuie — is-TAN-na SHWAI-ya Where can I sleep?— f/IVN 'A- dar -a-NAAM? have FEESH h-LOOS [ have cigarettes — 'AN -dee i CAA-yir I am sick— '-i-nn 'ai-YAAN