Egyptian couple dressed in simple galabeyas, walking hand in hand through the museum’s vast halls. Photo courtesy of Social Media.
In Luxor, where pharaohs once walked, residents, poets, and heritage enthusiasts are preparing for a new kind of procession.
Under the banner “We’ll Visit Luxor Temple in a Galabeya,” they are turning an online controversy into a celebration of authenticity, reclaiming Egypt’s traditional dress as a timeless symbol of dignity and belonging, even as some continue to sneer at it in favour of a Westernized image of Egypt.
Founded by Mohamed Abdel-Latif El-Saghir, the initiative will take place on Friday afternoon after prayers, gathering participants in galabeyas at Sidi Abu Al-Haggag Square before they head to Luxor Temple.
The event will feature guided tours, photo sessions, and the distribution of pharaonic-style souvenirs in a festive atmosphere meant to showcase the beauty and diversity of Egyptian culture.
“The galabeya is not a relic of the past,” said El-Saghir. “It’s a statement of belonging, a sign that Egypt’s roots and its modern spirit are not opposites but the same.”
Among those expected to attend are poet Hussein Al-Qabbahi, director of the House of Poetry in Luxor, and several public figures who see the initiative as a symbolic reaffirmation of national identity.
From social media post to national debate
The idea was sparked by a viral photograph taken during the public opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The image showed an Egyptian couple dressed in simple galabeyas, walking hand in hand through the museum’s vast halls, visibly moved by the grandeur of ancient Egypt.
The candid shot quickly spread across social media, where many hailed it as “a portrait of genuine Egyptian identity”, a moment capturing the humility of rural life alongside the majesty of modern Egypt.
Commentators praised how the traditional garment met the architectural splendour of the GEM in one frame, merging past and present, heritage and modernity, in a single human image.
From admiration to argument
Within hours, the photo became the centre of a heated debate after Samar Fouda, daughter of the late writer Farag Fouda, criticized the couple’s appearance in a Facebook post many deemed dismissive.
She argued that wearing the galabeya “does not represent modern Egypt” and linked it to “the Wahhabi wave”, a reference to the conservative interpretation of Islam originating in Saudi Arabia. “Egypt was once the land of elegance, where fashion arrived before Paris,” she wrote.
Her remarks triggered widespread backlash, dividing Egyptians between those who agreed with her call for a “civilized image” and those who saw her comments as elitist and condescending toward ordinary citizens.
Thousands responded by sharing photos of themselves in galabeyas under the hashtag #GalabeyaTrend, celebrating the attire as a proud emblem of national identity.
Egyptian satirist and TV host Bassem Youssef joined the movement, posting an old photo of himself wearing a galabeya, while broadcaster Amr Adib appeared on air in a Sa‘idi-style galabeya, declaring: “I’m proud of who I am and proud of Egypt’s heritage.”
“The galabeya exists in both Upper Egypt and the countryside,” Adib said. “I am proud of it — and proud of my country’s heritage.”
Clarification and reflection
Following intense criticism, Fouda deleted her post and issued an apology, saying her comments had been misunderstood.
“I come from a farming family and am proud of it,” she wrote. “My late father often wore a white galabeya. I never intended to insult anyone.”
By then, the debate had grown into a broader conversation about what it means to be modern without erasing the past.
As hundreds prepare to gather before Luxor Temple on Friday, the sight of galabeyas flowing against ancient columns will carry a simple message, that Egypt’s identity is not confined to museums or fashion trends, but lives in the everyday dignity of its people
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