The first pictures of mahraganat singer Hassan Shakoush's engagement have been shared on social media.
The pictures, of Shakoush and his mystery fiance, have surprised many – Shakoush has not spoken publicly about being engaged, and has shared nothing previously about being romantically linked to anyone. Media reports in Egypt suggest the woman is Shakoush's neighbour.
The pictures of Shakoush and his bride-to-be were shared on Monday, by photographer Omar Maro, who conducted the shoot.
The engagement shoot was held at Hilton Pyramids Golf, a resort located in the Egyptian city of Giza, near the the Giza pyramid complex.
In his Instagram stories, Maro shared a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the pictures, as well as some insight from Shakoush himself.
Several videos shows Maro in a pretty standard photography set-up, sitting on the ground as the happy couple walk along in front of him.
However, things get progressively more interesting from there, with another video showing Maro atop the shoulders of a burly helper, in order to photograph the couple from above.
A video posted of Shakoush and Maro show them joking around on the shoot, and Shakoush singing a personalised tune for the photographer.
Shakoush sings: "It is an honour to have you. The whole world envies us. The goodness in your heart shows in your eyes."
He then says: "Here's Maro, the global figure. If you haven't had a session with Maro, you have not had a [worthy] session in your whole life. May Allah bless you, my dear."
Shakoush is a famed mahraganat singer in Egypt, whose show played a role in the country's move to ban the genre of street music that took Egypt by storm earlier this year.
Egypt’s union of musicians in February said that the music, known as mahraganat or festivals, corrupted society with innuendo-filled lyrics, reinforced immoral customs and applauded decadence.
On Valentine's Day, Shakoush performed his latest hit – Bent el Giran, or the girl next door – at a 100,000-seat sports stadium in Cairo filled to capacity.
The union took exception to a line that fans enthusiastically sang along with in the concert that was broadcast live on regional television networks.
“If you leave me, I will hate my life, I will be lost and will not find myself again and use alcohol and hashish,” goes the offending line of the chart-topping song that has more than a 324 million views on YouTube.
In March, he defied that ban by releasing a new mahraganat song titled Oud Al Batal.
This lead him to become a top-trending search term in Egypt at the time, and garnering the song 6.9 million views on YouTube.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
