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| 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 12. Armed Forces Day. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [عيد القوات المسلحة (ʿīdu el-quwwāt el-musallaḥah)]. |
| Armed Forces Day is celebrated on October 6 and commemorates October 6, 1973, when the Egyptian army succeeded in restoring the dignity of all Egyptians and defeated the Israeli army that occupied Sinai. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| Do you know why the 1973 war is also called "the oil war" in some countries? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Let's see how Egyptians each year celebrate this day. |
| The October war has many names, including the "crossing war" because the Egyptians managed to cross the Suez Canal, or [قناة السويس (ʾanāh el-suwīs)], and destroy the Israeli Bar Lev Line. The Bar Lev Line was a very high earthen barricade, which the Israeli army described as the strongest defensive line in history. |
| The October war was in the month of Ramadan, or [رمضان (ramaḍān)], during which Muslims strictly fast. Most soldiers were fasting while participating in the war. This was one of the strategic deception plans because the Israeli army didn't expect the Egyptian army to start attacking at high noon, or [عز الضهر (ʿez el-ḍuhr)], during the fasting hours. |
| Usually celebrations of the 6th of October include the gathering of people in public squares and musical concerts where famous bands sing patriotic songs. Besides, planes, or [طيارة (ṭayyārah)], from the Egyptian air forces fly in the sky and draw shapes such as the Egyptian flag and the victory sign. |
| Interestingly, in 2014, people who were celebrating the memory of October in Tahrir square were surprised as helicopters from the Egyptian army showered them with gifts raining down from the sky. People were extremely happy with these gifts; therefore, the army decided to repeat it every year. |
| And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| Do you know why the 1973 war is also called "the oil war" in some countries? |
| The October War, in some countries, is called "the oil war" because the Arab countries that export oil, or [بترول (betrol)], decided to stop their oil exports to the world during the war in order to support the Egyptian army. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you have any armed forces celebration in your country? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء (ʾilā al-liqaāʾ)! |
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