OUR MISSION
Nour aims to raise an ethical community of humans who are rooted in tradition, committed to seeking knowledge, and devoted to serving their environments.
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The definition of the word light is that which makes it possible to see. Applied to our senses, light is the natural agent that allows us to see physical or material things. Applied to our faculties, light is the divine secret that allows us to perceive intellectual or immaterial things. It is because of light that we can see the natural world around us, and it is also because of light that we can perceive knowledge. Light, therefore, is our access to structure and meaning, the word and the world; the two things that we study closely at Nour.
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Our Programs
Nour offers a range of short educational programs in St. Catherine for different age groups.
The aim of education, in many traditions and at Nour, is to make us more human through nurturing the body, freeing the mind, and purifying the soul. This holistic approach is evident in all Nour programs through a commitment in design and execution to educating the body, mind and soul. Our programs are led primarily by the Jabaliyya Bedouin community and catalyzed by an intensive reading program, a variety of hikes, and a daily routine that creates space for reflections, sharing, and the production of knowledge.
The aim of education, in many traditions and at Nour, is to make us more human through nurturing the body, freeing the mind, and purifying the soul. This holistic approach is evident in all Nour programs through a commitment in design and execution to educating the body, mind and soul. Our programs are led primarily by the Jabaliyya Bedouin community and catalyzed by an intensive reading program, a variety of hikes, and a daily routine that creates space for reflections, sharing, and the production of knowledge.
Saint CatherineThe sacred classroom
St.Catherine provides Nour with great gifts that are instrumental to all our programs: a palpable spiritual history, a majestic nature, and a loving Bedouin community that is true to its roots. The winning combination of these three factors sets a conducive environment not only for useful learning and purposeful living, but, more importantly, for reviving a love of learning and reimagining more beautiful ways of living. |
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Meet the Family
Muhammad BassyounyMuhammad Bassyouny has been working in the education field for over 10 years. He started his career in Egypt and then transitioned to the African Leadership Academy in South Africa and later served as the Dean of Academics at the Island School in The Bahamas. Bassyouny has also been involved with education work in Algeria, Rwanda, Japan, Brazil, UK, and United States and has recently returned to Egypt to endeavor on the ambitious effort of founding Nour. Currently, Bassyouny serves as the Dean of Students to Manara, the new boarding school in El Gouna.
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Badri MohamedBadri Mohamed was born and bread in the mountains of St. Catherine. It is his home and his teacher. He has been working in the tourism industry for over 25 years with adults, teenagers, elders, and families. Throughout his career, Badri led numerous trips of different nature; educational, explorational, intensely physical, recreational, long, and short ones. As an active tribe member, Badri facilitated and liaised with multiple local and foreign organizations to provide medical and financial support for Bedouin families. Badri also works part-time with the government to ensure the safety and tranquility of his village. Badri has faith in what Nour has to offer to the future of Education in Egypt, he is part of founding and ideating Nour and passionately co-facilitates the programs.
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Ahmed YehiaAhmed Yehia graduated with a BA in political science from The American University in Cairo. His travels post graduation introduced him to different worlds and opened his eyes to alternative ways of education. In engaging the field of non-formal education, he has worn many hats - student, observer, facilitator, curriculum designer- which has given him a range of perspectives on how empowering and playful learning can be. This quest led him to Meshkah Martial Arts School in Egypt. He joined the 3-year full-time program where he learned different traditional Chinese martial arts and medicine. A new connection was created instantly between martial arts and alternative education. Being a student in a traditional martial arts school has deepened his personal understanding of learning, specifically learning using the body.
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Alaa AhmedAlaa Ahmed started her career in Education as a science teacher soon after she graduated with highest honors from AUC in 2012. She then joined Mavericks school as one of the founding faculty members where she helped design and deliver the school's curriculum. Alaa's rich experience with formal and informal education coupled with her M.A. in International and Comparative Education has given her a well-rounded perspective on how education is in Egypt, and how it can be. Alaa is excited to build Nour into its full vision and help students grow into their full being.
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A'm MoussaAm Moussa - The Mountain Man - is our local Bedouin guide on the different trails that we explore. He enriches our hiking experience by the countless stories he shares at different stops.
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