ABSTRACT
Nearly five thousands years ago the people of Egypt had their own version of what is now known as the Miss World contest. The decade during which Omar Ibn Al Khatab officiated as the second Caliph marked a steady increase in the number of Muslim believers in what is now known as the Arab world. Al Khatab, who was committed to spreading Islam worldwide, was particularly keen to introduce the new religion into Egypt. The Middle Ages sank in Europe to re-emerge in Egypt. The Napoleon-led French expedition to Egypt in 1798 was the country's first glimmer of hope in three centuries of Ottoman darkness. The 1830s Hapi's annual 'marriage' routine started all over again. Since then, every year towards the end of summer, many Cairenes carouse alongside the river to celebrate the Bride of Hapi, just as their ancient counterparts did every autumn from the Old Kingdom to the Islamic conquest.
