September 6th, was one for the books: Egyptian Day NYC 2025! Right in the heart of Manhattan, from 6th to 7th Ave on 50th Street, the city transformed into a mini Cairo-meets-Alexandria - complete with the incredible smell of koshari in the air!
There were vendors everywhere - from Egyptian street food you can't find anywhere else, to jewelry that made me whisper “ya salam” under my breath, to clothing (hello, Soonaboosh!) that shouted Egyptian and Arabic pride in every thread. A DJ blasted the best Arabic beats, and teenagers dressed in full-on pharaonic outfits made us feel like we were walking through history with a TikTok twist. These young volunteers weren’t just helping set up; they cracked jokes, hyped up the crowd, and carried the kind of love for the culture that gave me goosebumps.
And the details? Gorgeous. On one end, a red, white, black and gold balloon arch 🇪🇬. On the other, an elegant flower arch. I even met the talented folks who made them...wonderful people who poured their hearts into making the day look as special as it felt.
Of course, I didn’t go alone. I took my mom (the best business partner and hype woman a girl could ask for!) and one of my close friends who’s Tunisian, but as we say, el donya betwasal (the world connects us). It was truly inclusive: Egyptians, Tunisians, Americans, neighbors, new friends; everyone came together.
And then…came the rain. Not just any rain. A monsoon-style downpour straight out of an Alexandria winter. 🌧️ We had to duck for cover and pack up early. But here’s what I'll never forget (aside from laughing so hard my face hurt): my neighboring vendors, who run a little pharmacy in Brooklyn, saved us. They lent us a tent, helped carry racks, clothes, posters, tables - literally everything - back to my car. That Egyptian warmth that engulfs you in Cairo, Port Said, Luxor, Alex, and everywhere you step in Egypt - isn’t just found there. It’s also right here, in New York, and New Jersey, and California - really it's whenever and wherever we come together.
As the founder of Soonaboosh, I started this brand to celebrate exactly this: the joy of being in-between worlds, the pride of wearing your story, and the power of community. This event was the realest reminder for me that culture isn’t just something we keep - it’s something we share.
So here’s to Egyptian Day NYC 2025: the music, the arches, the food, the laughter, the downpour, and above all, the people. I felt Egypt in every smile. And I can’t wait for next year!
Did you make it to Egyptian Day NYC this year? Drop your favorite moment below 👇