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STUDY GROUPS

Absorbing the real atmosphere, the history, the ceremonies and the habits of daily life of a people is essential for a student who aims at assimilating a language vividly and intensely. It is important therefore to live the Arab language from within, starting from the heart of the people who speak it.
Getting to know places, becoming acquainted with the customs, savoring the pleasures, feeling at home and recognizing the faces of a country are possible for the student traveler who is well prepared to appreciate them whereas the normal tourist cannot grasp these colorful nuances.
Understanding the multiple facets of a culture by truly appreciating some aspects is our aim in organizing study groups and workshops led by experts.
The subjects proposed for an in-depth study include an exploration into the field of Egyptology, of the Islamic and Coptic Christian religions, of the local ways and customs of Upper Egypt.
We welcome students' suggestions for widening the range of subjects even to those of specialized interest. The study groups are introduced by lessons in theory in order to provide a useful background for the visit with the guide to the places connected to the theme treated. The lessons of the study groups provide new opportunities to extend the vocabulary of the students as they are conducted in Arabic. But don't be afraid as explanations are provided in English, French or Italian for the beginner and intermediary levels. In this way each student will come provided with the appropriate documentation on the subject and with the basic vocabulary. This is another opportunity to assimilate new expressions in a wider context than that of the class.
On arrival the student can enroll in the study groups and discuss the program with the other participants and organizers to incorporate requests or variations.
The following are some of the suggestions for the study groups :

 
Egyptology

While wandering amidst the remains of ancient Thebes one can't but wonder and reflect on these traces left by the magnificent Egyptian civilization.
Signs that can talk to those who try to know their secrets.
From the temples in honor of the God Amon at Luxor and at Karnak on the East bank of the Nile you will be accompanied by an expert guide to the other bank where the valleys of the Kings and of the Queens are to be found. The visit will continue with the valleys of the Nobles and of the Artisans where you can better admire the artistic beauty and appreciate their importance thanks to the knowledge acquired during the preparatory lessons. Going even further in towards the cliff you will come across another of the jewels of Thebes that is Deir al-Bahri where you will be able to admire the original architecture and the vivid decorations of the tomb of Queen Hatshepsut. After this you will want to widen your knowledge by a visit to the Ramesseum, one of the temples built by the great pharaoh Ramses II, and the well preserved funerary temple of Medinat Habu dedicated to Ramses III. In total five meetings are planned, but we remind you that for this study group, as for the others, variations can be taken into account according specific requests. It is also possible to choose to participate in only a part of the program.
 
Religions

The majority of the Egyptian population belongs to the Islamic religion and a minority, 10% of the total, to Christian religious communities of Coptic, Catholic or Protestant faith. It is therefore of great interest to learn about the social and religious climate in which they have been living together for centuries. An in-depth study which will provide the student with further knowledge of each reality.
An introduction concerning the basis of the Islamic religion will be enriched by meetings planned with the spiritual guide of the Muslim community of a village.
After a friendly welcome at the Madrassa (Koranic school) you will sip a mint tea with the Imam and enjoy a relaxed conversation on the principles and the applications of the word of Allah in the ceremonies, the daily habits and the rules of behavior.
The visit to one of the mosques, like that of Abu Al-Haggag built on top of the ancient temple of Luxor, will be the opportunity to study the characteristic architectural aspects. Look in particular towards the qibla (niche which indicates the direction of Mecca), and observe the ritual ceremonies of the congregation at prayer (salat) and turn your own mind to contemplation.
It would also be possible to attend the ceremony of dhikr (litt. mention) a practice of the mystic Muslim brothers (Sufi) in which they glorify Allah to the point of entering a trance, by the repetition of a few incantations and specific movements of the body. It is a way of purifying the soul, of emptying it entirely of all thought other than God.
A characteristic of Luxor is the high concentration of Christians which, at 30% of the total population, constitutes an exception in the social fabric. The percentage of Coptic Christians is predominant or rather the Monophysites of the Christian church of Egypt who in 451AD after the quarrel with the Roman church over the nature of Jesus broke away at the Council of Chalcedonia.
The Coptic churches are scattered all over Luxor but specially at Sawaghi a village situated a few kilometers from the town. The student will be given a friendly welcome there by one of the Coptic families having thus the opportunity of perceiving the different orientations of the Christian religion as well as how the different faiths live together. Also in the vicinity of Luxor, you can attend a service conducted in monadic chant in the monastery of El-Shaib.
 
Local ways and customs
Luxor is a country place which has grown into a town but the social structure remains that of a village. In the areas less invaded by tourists the doors of houses are almost always open. The inhabitants see the street as an extension of their house, the noise and dashing about of children at play, the braying of the donkeys and the tap-tap of the hoofs of the horses drawing the caliches is the leitmotiv which surrounds each activity. There is Ahmed who is repairing his motor bike while asking for his neighbor's advice, round the corner Um Ala' is greeting the felucca captain Abu Ashraf while carrying his good bread to his grand-daughter's house for the evening of the wedding, and while Irene is explaining the catechism lesson to her friend, Ibrahim is going with his new blue galabiyya towards the mosque.
The student will immerse himself naturally into this setting and with greater depth during the special periods of Ramadan , Christmas and Easter and he can participate in other special moments of daily life apart from the parties and ceremonies thanks to the help of the teachers and local guides.