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CHERI BERENS: An American Woman Living in Egypt
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 God, 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 Constitution, written by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, Christians were beaten and not allowed to vote. Women were turned away and many were beaten. Liberals 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 to show how the Quran was created by men. Extremists use the Quran's divinity myth to create their abusive laws and to control the population.
How did Cheri get involved in Egypt?
Cheri's eventual move to Egypt began via her interest in the Egyptian culture. Cheri has studied and conducted field research on the cultural history of the Egyptian people. She has traced specific traditions uniquely Egyptian since Pharaonic times and has researched traditions, festivals and celebrations that have evolved throughout the centuries.
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. Sadly, much of Egypt's music and dance traditions were disappearing due to Islamists, who were banning both music and dance (even religious music or dance), believing that music and dance are against Allah.
While working at the Ministry of Culture, Cheri's goal was to document as many festivals, celebrations and traditions that included music and dance before they became extinct. 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.
Since Pharaonic times Egyptians included music and dance in their various festivals and celebrations; music and dance was intrinsically tied to Egyptian traditions. Courtship, marriage, the "sabuah" (the celebration of when a baby has survived for 7 days, and male circumcising rituals, have always included music and dancing.
During the Pharaonic period, all religious festivities and religious ritual included music and dance. Egyptians enjoyed music and dance during seasonal celebrations, such as planting and harvesting. The annual rise and fall of the Nile was celebrated in many ways, which created cultural traditions that made Egyptians uniquely Egyptian. Egyptians have handed down a rich culture of music and dance for many centuries.
Cheri has researched and filmed many Zikr (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 God, 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 Constitution, written by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, Christians were beaten and not allowed to vote. Women were turned away and many were beaten. Liberals 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 to show how the Quran was created by men. Extremists use the Quran's divinity myth to create their abusive laws and to control the population.
How did Cheri get involved in Egypt?
Cheri's eventual move to Egypt began via her interest in the Egyptian culture. Cheri has studied and conducted field research on the cultural history of the Egyptian people. She has traced specific traditions uniquely Egyptian since Pharaonic times and has researched traditions, festivals and celebrations that have evolved throughout the centuries.
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. Sadly, much of Egypt's music and dance traditions were disappearing due to Islamists, who were banning both music and dance (even religious music or dance), believing that music and dance are against Allah.
While working at the Ministry of Culture, Cheri's goal was to document as many festivals, celebrations and traditions that included music and dance before they became extinct. 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.
Since Pharaonic times Egyptians included music and dance in their various festivals and celebrations; music and dance was intrinsically tied to Egyptian traditions. Courtship, marriage, the "sabuah" (the celebration of when a baby has survived for 7 days, and male circumcising rituals, have always included music and dancing.
During the Pharaonic period, all religious festivities and religious ritual included music and dance. Egyptians enjoyed music and dance during seasonal celebrations, such as planting and harvesting. The annual rise and fall of the Nile was celebrated in many ways, which created cultural traditions that made Egyptians uniquely Egyptian. Egyptians have handed down a rich culture of music and dance for many centuries.
Cheri has researched and filmed many Zikr (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.
