The 2011 Egyptian Revolution:
Prisons were stormed and terrorists were released. Almost overnight streets were filled with extremists who imposed Islamic Law. People were falsely accused without witnesses or trial. Hands, feet or noses were cut off as punishments. Women were forced to wear the veil but even veiled, some were attacked, simply for being in public. The laws women's activists struggled to put into place—illegalizing female genital mutilation, the right to initiate divorce—were reversed. Women were executed simply by being 'accused' of adultery—with no witnesses or trial. A wave of TV preachers gave lectures and advice, most of which they claimed had the approval of Allah, but were more suited to their political gain: "Women who join protests should be raped."
The 2012 Muslim Brotherhood "government":
During the voting on the Islamic Law Constitution, written solely by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, Christians were beaten and not allowed to vote. Women were turned away and many were beaten. Liberals, who were opposed to Islamic Law, were dragged off and tortured. In southern Egypt, where the largest concentrations of Christians reside, entire villages were prevented from voting. Armed extremists announced they would kill any Christian who went outside on voting day. Muslim Brotherhood and radical Salafists were allowed to vote and once a 'yes' majority was reached, voting stations were closed.
The June 30, 2013 Revolution:
After brief elation over Morsi’s arrest in 2013 came horrific attacks on Christians by the Muslim Brotherhood. Babies and old women were thrown out windows and off balconies. Ancient churches were destroyed.
The Muslim Brotherhood announced that they would kill anyone opposing their rule. They went on a rampage of violence that included decapitations, disemboweling, and cutting out the hearts of their opposition.
While living in Egypt Cheri married a Muslim and had considered converting to Islam. She studied Islam in Egypt by the top Islamic teachers and scholars in top Islamic universities. She discovered that what the non-Muslim West is taught about Islam is very different than what Muslims are taught. Her book discloses the true history of Islam and the Quran using well documented historical events and academic research.
While living in Egypt Cheri worked for the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, researching, documenting and filming current Egyptian culture via its music and dance traditions, both religious and secular. Much of Cheri's video footage is rare and some of the dance traditions (regional courtship or marriage dances) have never been seen by westerners. Some dances are now extinct due to the 2011 Revolution and the aftermath of the Muslim Brotherhood takeover.
Cheri has filmed and documented celebrations of courtship, marriage, the "sabuah" (the celebration of when a baby has survived for 7 days) and circumcising rituals. She has researched and filmed many Zikr (religious ritual movements done to music and singing), Moulids (Saint's Days), Weddings, Henna Nights, several Sufi sects, and also the music and dances specifically unique to the various regions of Egypt.
Cheri's dance experience in Egypt is extensive as well. She has studied with some of the most well-respected and well-known artists in Egypt: Mahmoud Reda, Ibrahim Akef, Mohammad Khalil, Farida Fahmi, Raqqia Hassan and many others. She has also trained with various folkloric troops throughout Egypt who specialize in their regional folklore. Cheri is a distinguished teacher of authentic Egyptian dance.
Cheri's teaching of authentic Egyptian dance has been awarded by several groups. She has been chosen as Best Instructor by the Giza Academy of Music and Legends of Dance and Best Instructor by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance. Cheri has been a recurrent staff instructor at the annual World Music and Dance Camp as well as The Orient Camp. She has been the featured dancer in three dance magazines: Zaghareet! the Crescent Moon and Caravan. Cheri Berens was also named as "One of the Big Names from Right Here at Home" in Anne Thomas Soffee's book, Snake Hips.
Prisons were stormed and terrorists were released. Almost overnight streets were filled with extremists who imposed Islamic Law. People were falsely accused without witnesses or trial. Hands, feet or noses were cut off as punishments. Women were forced to wear the veil but even veiled, some were attacked, simply for being in public. The laws women's activists struggled to put into place—illegalizing female genital mutilation, the right to initiate divorce—were reversed. Women were executed simply by being 'accused' of adultery—with no witnesses or trial. A wave of TV preachers gave lectures and advice, most of which they claimed had the approval of Allah, but were more suited to their political gain: "Women who join protests should be raped."
The 2012 Muslim Brotherhood "government":
During the voting on the Islamic Law Constitution, written solely by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, Christians were beaten and not allowed to vote. Women were turned away and many were beaten. Liberals, who were opposed to Islamic Law, were dragged off and tortured. In southern Egypt, where the largest concentrations of Christians reside, entire villages were prevented from voting. Armed extremists announced they would kill any Christian who went outside on voting day. Muslim Brotherhood and radical Salafists were allowed to vote and once a 'yes' majority was reached, voting stations were closed.
The June 30, 2013 Revolution:
After brief elation over Morsi’s arrest in 2013 came horrific attacks on Christians by the Muslim Brotherhood. Babies and old women were thrown out windows and off balconies. Ancient churches were destroyed.
The Muslim Brotherhood announced that they would kill anyone opposing their rule. They went on a rampage of violence that included decapitations, disemboweling, and cutting out the hearts of their opposition.
While living in Egypt Cheri married a Muslim and had considered converting to Islam. She studied Islam in Egypt by the top Islamic teachers and scholars in top Islamic universities. She discovered that what the non-Muslim West is taught about Islam is very different than what Muslims are taught. Her book discloses the true history of Islam and the Quran using well documented historical events and academic research.
While living in Egypt Cheri worked for the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, researching, documenting and filming current Egyptian culture via its music and dance traditions, both religious and secular. Much of Cheri's video footage is rare and some of the dance traditions (regional courtship or marriage dances) have never been seen by westerners. Some dances are now extinct due to the 2011 Revolution and the aftermath of the Muslim Brotherhood takeover.
Cheri has filmed and documented celebrations of courtship, marriage, the "sabuah" (the celebration of when a baby has survived for 7 days) and circumcising rituals. She has researched and filmed many Zikr (religious ritual movements done to music and singing), Moulids (Saint's Days), Weddings, Henna Nights, several Sufi sects, and also the music and dances specifically unique to the various regions of Egypt.
Cheri's dance experience in Egypt is extensive as well. She has studied with some of the most well-respected and well-known artists in Egypt: Mahmoud Reda, Ibrahim Akef, Mohammad Khalil, Farida Fahmi, Raqqia Hassan and many others. She has also trained with various folkloric troops throughout Egypt who specialize in their regional folklore. Cheri is a distinguished teacher of authentic Egyptian dance.
Cheri's teaching of authentic Egyptian dance has been awarded by several groups. She has been chosen as Best Instructor by the Giza Academy of Music and Legends of Dance and Best Instructor by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance. Cheri has been a recurrent staff instructor at the annual World Music and Dance Camp as well as The Orient Camp. She has been the featured dancer in three dance magazines: Zaghareet! the Crescent Moon and Caravan. Cheri Berens was also named as "One of the Big Names from Right Here at Home" in Anne Thomas Soffee's book, Snake Hips.