Nahed Rashad (born Nahed Shawqi Bakir ; 1917 – 1985) was an influential figure during the

kingdom of Egypt The Kingdom of Egypt () was the legal form of the Egyptian state during the latter period of the Muhammad Ali dynasty's reign, from the United Kingdom's recognition of Egyptian independence in 1922 until the abolition of the monarchy of Eg ...

who became the chief lady-in-waiting and was a member of

Iron guard The Iron Guard () was a Romanian militant revolutionary nationalism, revolutionary Clerical fascism, religious fascist Political movement, movement and political party founded in 1927 by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu as the Legion of the Archangel M ...

Early life

Nahed was born in the city of

Helwan Helwan ( ', , ) is a suburban district in the Southern Area of Cairo, Egypt. The area of Helwan witnessed prehistoric, ancient Egyptian, Roman and Muslim era activity. More recently it was designated as a city until as late as the 1960s, befor ...

in 1917. Her father is Dr. Shawqi Bakir, who worked as a professor at the College of Science. Her mother and aunt have been the ladies-in-waiting of

Melek Tourhan Melek Hassan Tourhan () (27 October 1869 – 4 February 1956) was the second wife of Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt. After her husband ascended the throne in 1914, she became known as Sultana Melek (). Early life Born in Istanbul on 27 October 1 ...

since 1915. Nahed Rashad often played with Sultan Hussein's daughters in the royal palace. In 1938, Nahed married Yousef Rashad, the son of a former governor and a royal naval physician. They had one daughter and two sons: Alia, Shawqi and Mahmoud.

Career

Lady-in-waiting

In 1945 King Farouk made Nahed the lady-in-waiting of Princess Fawzia. He later promoted Nahed to the rank of Chief lady-in-waiting. Nahed accompanied princess Fawzia in all of the events and parties she attended. Nahed also became the lady-in-waiting for Princess Faiza. After the marriage of Fawzia to Ismail chirine, Nahed Rashad remained as a lady-in-waiting in the palace for no queen. During that time she acted as an assistant to king Farouk.

Iron guard

When the

started recruiting women, Nahed Rashad became the supervisor over them. She became an important member of the Iron guard and had high influence over it.

1948 Palestine war

Nahed Rashad volunteered in the

1948 Palestine war The 1948 Palestine war was fought in the territory of what had been, at the start of the war, British-ruled Mandatory Palestine. During the war, the British withdrew from Palestine, Zionist forces conquered territory and established the Stat ...

. She received the major rank in the Egyptian military. Al-Musawar magazine published her photo in military uniform on September 24, 1948, under the title: “The Egyptian Woman in the Battlefield.” During her time as a volunteer in Palestine war, she started recruiting new members in the

Iron Guard The Iron Guard () was a Romanian militant revolutionary nationalism, revolutionary Clerical fascism, religious fascist Political movement, movement and political party founded in 1927 by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu as the Legion of the Archangel M ...

Later life and death

After 1952 revolution, Nahed Rashad lived a simple life in

Hurghada Hurghada (; ', ) is a coastal city that serves as the largest city and capital of the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt. Hurghada has grown from a small fishing village to one of the largest resort destinations along the Red Sea coast, stretching c ...

, where she was a housewife and enjoyed cooking fish. After Dr. Youssef Rashad's death in 1971, she moved to an apartment in

Dokki Dokki ( , is one of nine districts that make up Giza city, which is part of Greater Cairo, in Egypt. Dokki is situated on the western bank of the Nile, directly across from Downtown Cairo. It is a vital residential and commercial district wi ...

, and her eldest son Mahmoud Rashad lived with her. Nahed contacted Hediya Hanem Barakat, daughter of Bahey El Din Barakat Pasha, the owner of the first home for the elderly in Egypt. She moved there in the early eighties. Nahed later died in 1985.

Popular culture

Books and publisments

* The book "''El Maraa alty Hazt Arsh Misr''" (The woman who shook the throne of Egypt) by Rashed Kamel, spoke about the details of the life of Nahed Rashad. * The book "''Nahed wa El melik Farouk''" (Nahed and King Farouk) by Hanafi El-Mehalawy spoke about the life and Controversy surrounding Nahed Rashad.

Television and cinema

* The film titled "''Emraa Hazt Arsh Misr''" (A Woman Who Shook the Throne of Egypt) in 1995 was based on her. Nahed Rashad was played by the actress Nadia El Gendy. * Kariokka series in 2012, about the life story of the artist Tahia Kariokka, starring Wafaa Amer. Nahed Rashad role was played by the actress Rasha Sami. * The series "Awraq Miseria''" (Egyptian Papers), Part 2, 2002, Nahed Rashad role was played by the actress Ghada Abdel Razek.

References

External links

Nahed Rashad on King Farouk site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rashad, Nahed 1917 births 1985 deaths Ladies-in-waiting 20th-century Egyptian women Year of death missing Egyptian people of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War