Raya and Sakina
Encyclopedia
Raya and Sakina Egypt
's most infamous serial killers, began killing women in the Labban
neighborhood of Alexandria
in the early days of the 20th century. The police
were plagued by increasing reports of missing women. Common details in the reports included the missing person's gender (all were females), the missing women were known to be wearing gold
jewelry, and were known to be carrying a large amount of money. Another common detail was the report that many of the missing women were last seen with a woman called Sakina. Sakina was questioned several times because of the reports, but she managed to dodge any suspicions about her involvement.
On the morning of December 11, 1920 a passerby discovered human
remains on the side of the road
; the body was damaged beyond recognition (except for its long hair
) and was completely dismembered. There was also a piece of black cloth and a striped black-and-white pair of sock
s near the body, however, these items did not help with the identification of the remains. In an unrelated incident, at about the same time in December, a nearsighted
man reported finding human remains beneath his floor while digging to fix a water pipe.
Those findings provided the only evidence regarding the murder
s in the Labban neighborhood. After investigation, it was found that Raya and Sakina had been renting
a home, where the bodies were buried, at the time when the women and girls disappeared.
Raya and Sakina and their husbands were tried for murder. All four were convicted and were sentenced to death
on 16 May 1921. Raya and Sakina became the first Egyptian women to be executed by the modern state of Egypt.
The addresses of the homes:
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
's most infamous serial killers, began killing women in the Labban
Labban
Labban is a neighborhood in Alexandria, Egypt. It lies next to the Western Harbor,Historical places in Labban include:- 7 Girls church and clinic,- Sant Catrine Cathetrade,- Lebone Building...
neighborhood of Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
in the early days of the 20th century. The police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
were plagued by increasing reports of missing women. Common details in the reports included the missing person's gender (all were females), the missing women were known to be wearing gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
jewelry, and were known to be carrying a large amount of money. Another common detail was the report that many of the missing women were last seen with a woman called Sakina. Sakina was questioned several times because of the reports, but she managed to dodge any suspicions about her involvement.
On the morning of December 11, 1920 a passerby discovered human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
remains on the side of the road
Road
A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...
; the body was damaged beyond recognition (except for its long hair
Hair
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....
) and was completely dismembered. There was also a piece of black cloth and a striped black-and-white pair of sock
Sock
A sock is an item of clothing worn on the feet. The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, as it is able to produce over of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. In cold environments, socks decrease...
s near the body, however, these items did not help with the identification of the remains. In an unrelated incident, at about the same time in December, a nearsighted
Myopia
Myopia , "shortsightedness" ) is a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina under conditions of accommodation. In simpler terms, myopia is a condition of the eye where the light that comes in does not directly focus on the retina but in...
man reported finding human remains beneath his floor while digging to fix a water pipe.
Those findings provided the only evidence regarding the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
s in the Labban neighborhood. After investigation, it was found that Raya and Sakina had been renting
Renting
Renting is an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property owned by another. A gross lease is when the tenant pays a flat rental amount and the landlord pays for all property charges regularly incurred by the ownership from landowners...
a home, where the bodies were buried, at the time when the women and girls disappeared.
Raya and Sakina and their husbands were tried for murder. All four were convicted and were sentenced to death
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
on 16 May 1921. Raya and Sakina became the first Egyptian women to be executed by the modern state of Egypt.
Crime scenes
Four homes where the crimes had been committed were all located near Mansheya square. Most of the victims were taken in this area.The addresses of the homes:
- No. 5 Makoris Street near the Labban Bakery.
- No. 38 Ali Bay Elkebeer street..
- No. 6 El Nagah lane.
- No. 8 El Nagah lane.
Raya and Sakina in the media
Inspired by the story of the Raya and Sakina, many books and works of art have been published.- Raya and Sakina a film production from 1953 that stars Negma Ibrahim, Zouzou Hamdy El-Hakim, Farid ShawkiFarid ShawkiFarid Shawki Mohammad Abduh Badawi known as Farid Shawki was an Egyptian actor, screenwriter and film producer...
, Anwar WagdiAnwar WagdiAnwar Wagdy was an Egyptian actor, writer, director and producer.-Life:Anwar was born in the Cairo district of El Daher, Cairo. He was of Syrian descent. His father, Yehia Wagdy El-Fattal, immigrated to Egypt from Syria with his family in the 19th century for economic reasons. Anwar's Egyptian...
, Shoukry SarhanShoukry SarhanMohammad Shoukry Al Husseini Sarhan , better known as Shoukry Sarhan was an Egyptian actor. He is regarded as on of the greatest Arab actors of all time.- Life and career :...
, Samira Ahmed and Berlanty Abdel Hamid, and was directed by Salah Abu SeifSalah Abu SeifSalah Abu Seif was one of the most famous Egyptian film directors. He is considered to be the godfather of the realistic cinema in Egypt...
. - Ismail Yasin meets Raya and Sakina a film production from 1955 that stars Ismail YasinIsmail YasinIsmail Yasin was an Egyptian comedian/actor. He is famous for a series of films with his name in the title. Ismail Yassin had a difficult childhood in Suez where he was born. His mother died at an early age and his father was jailed thus forcing him to leave school before completing his primary...
, Negma Ibrahim, Zouzou Hamdy El-Hakim, Abdel Fattah Qasri and Reyad El Kasabgy, and was directed by Hamada Abdel Wahab. - Raya and Sakina a film production from 1983 that stars Sharihan, Younis Shalabi and Hassan Abdeen.
- Raya and Sakina the theatrical production that starred Sohair El Babli, ShadiaShadiaFatima Ahmad Kamal , better known by her stage name Shadia , is an Egyptian actress and singer. Now retired, she is famous for her roles in light comedies and drama in the 1950s and 1960s...
, Abdel Moneim MadboulyAbdel Moneim MadboulyAbdel Moneim Madbouly was an Egyptian actor, comedian and playwright.Madbouly was born in Cairo and started acting at seven years old following the death of his father. His family needed the money...
and Ahmed Bedier. - Raya and Sakina, a television series that ran in 2005, it stars Abla Kamel, Somaya El Khashab, Sami Al Adel, Ahmed Maher, Salah Abdallah, and Ryad El Khouly, and was directed by Gamal Abdel Hamid.
- There was also a television program entitled: Raya and Sakina, presented by Hala Fakher and Ghada Abdel-Razek.