Tanta

Overview

With its large cotton plantations, in 1856, Tanta became a stop on the railway network, primarily for the benefit of exporting its cotton to European markets. Even by 1986 the area around Tanta was mostly open fields with scattered villages but by 2001, Tanta had grown into a large, busy city.

Tanta is known for its sweets, eaten mostly when large numbers of Egyptians descend upon on the city, during the mulid (Arabic: المولد‎‎) festivals.

This city comes to life in late October at the end of the cotton harvest. Three million people, from around the Delta and other parts of the Arab world, come for the Moulid of Sayid Ahmed el-Badawi, which is a colorful, religious, eight-day celebration. The moulid is centered around the mosque and tomb of Sayid Ahmad al-Badawi. He founded one of Egypt's largest Sufi orders called Ahmadiyyah or Badawiyya. He was born in Morocco, but emigrated to Arabia and was sent to Tanta in 1234 as a representative of the order from Iraq. He was given permission to start a new order in Tanta and it soon flourished into "one of Egypt's largest Sufi brotherhoods". During the festival many sugar-coated nuts called 'hubb el 'Aziz' ('seeds of the Beloved Prophet') are eaten. They have been considered a delicacy since the 1800s.

Tanta has cotton ginning factories and textile industries, and is also a university town with Tanta University since 1972.

The people of Tanta are called Tantawy and enjoy leisurely walks along the streets.

Art, and culture

What originally began in Cairo, spread to Tanta when a group of young Egyptians began showing European movie screenings at Rivoli Cinema, the oldest cinema in Tanta. Called the 8th Edition Panorama of European Films, the young media students invited a film director to speak with the audience: people were enticed and the film screenings became a huge success. The group also began the Association of Cinema and Literature Lovers Group to encourage young filmmakers in Tanta.

Organizations

Tanta Sporting Club: It is An Egyptian Sports Club Based In Tanta, Egypt. Mohamed Saied Basha Founded Tanta Sporting Club In July 1932, As A Gathering Place For Tanta 's professionals. The Club's First President was Mohamed Saied Basha. First, it named Municipality Club, In 1936 after the King Farouk visited the club, it called First Foaud King Club. After the 1952 revolution, it called Tanta Sporting Club. The Club activities include social events and sports activities. Social activities include meeting areas for all the members, playground for children, Theater, Library, and restaurant. The sports activities include soccer ball, basketball, Swimming, and Tennis.[1]

There is a Young Men's Muslim Association (YMMA) in Tanta and in 1994 had about 1000 members.

Telecom Egypt, the main telephone landline Egyptian company, has one of its main centers in Tanta.

Sites

St. Mary Coptic Orthodox church, which is over 200 years old, is located in Tanta. Some people believe that the icon of the Virgin Mary has healing powers. The Museum of Tanta contains items from ancient nearby sites of Sais, Naucratis, and Buto, such as pottery and statues. El Mahallah is a large industrial town near Tanta, famous for its textile.

Climate

As all of Egypt, has a hot desert climate (BWh), according to Köppen-Geiger climate classification system.

Notable people