Cairo is a fascinating clash
between traditional and modern,
religious and secular,
East and West.
While its chaos
can be exasperating,
it can also be
a rewarding challenge
for the adventurous traveler.
♪♪
Cairo's downtown is modern
[ Horns blaring ]
and can feel European.
Streets, squares,
and grand buildings
are reminders of the
country's colonial past
from the 19th
and early 20th centuries.
The riverfront throbs
with energy --
stately bridges busy
with traffic,
fancy riverside restaurants,
and towering
apartment complexes.
The Nile is still
the lifeblood of the city,
sprawling endlessly
on both sides.
The heart of Cairo
is Tahrir Square.
It's long been ground zero
for the people's spirit.
If there's a demonstration
going on --
and there have been massive
ones in recent years --
it's likely here.
In addition
to its political energy,
the city's long been
a religious capital.
♪♪
Ever since the forces of Islam
swept across North Africa
from Arabia,
in the 7th century,
spreading the teachings
of their Prophet Muhammad,
Cairo has been a leading
city of the Muslim world.
♪♪
And, today, Cairo's known
as the City
of a Thousand Minarets.
Stepping into Al-Hussein Mosque,
like any neighborhood mosque,
you'll find
a worshipful tranquility.
It's believed that resting here
invigorates the soul.
There's more intensity
around the adjacent shrine,
believed to contain
a sacred relic --
the head of Al-Husayn ibn Ali,
a grandson
of the prophet Muhammad.
In a mosque, men and women
worship separately.
As praying can be physical,
with lots of bending over,
it's considered more respectful
to allow women their own space.
I find that a respectful tourist
is welcome to be
a part of the scene.