Ishraq Gharib’s Family

Ishraq’s Mother: 

Mme Zeniab Hamdi (died in 1996) was of Turkish origin.   Mme Hamdi's mother had the tile Pompa.  Mme Hamdi's father was a minister in the department of agriculture, and had the title of "Bey".  He was a sweet, lovable, man, and never argued.  He was married twice, Ishraq descending from the second marriage.

Mme Hamdi herself taught philosophy, logic and psychology in a secondary school, and was ultimately made headmistress.  After she was widowed, she married Ishraq’s father.  She had two daughters from each marriage, Ishraq being the youngest.


Ishraq’s Father:

Ishraq’s father was an entrepreneur who started a glass manufacturing business and factory in Alexandria, a factory that was later nationalized by Nasser.   No compensation was given. 

He then worked for the government in Cairo, as general manager for the National Glass Company.   He was starting to put together another such company of his own  when he died, about 1981, of a cerebral thrombosis.  

He was a very good-looking and generous man.  He lived in Italy for 10 years, did not marry until he was 40.  The family photograph of him, taken on the steps of St Marco, is inscribed affectionately from an opera diva. 

Ishraq was much beloved of him and (she says) "spoiled".   He called her Ish-Ish.  His sport was shooting, an enthusiasm which he extended to Ishraq.


Other Relatives:

Both of Ishraq's maternal grandparents died at around age 82, at around the time that Ishraq’s father died.

Ishraq’s sisters are:
         Eman:   lives in Dubai
         Sahar:   loves music and lives in Cairo
         Wafaa:  lives in Dubai with her two children, Dina and Ahmed.


Ishraq Herself:

Ishraq graduated from secondary school tenth in all Egypt.  Her degree, from the American University in Cairo, is in Mass Communications.  After graduation, she worked in advertising and marketing.
 
Ishraq loves art and dancing. 

She is married to Richard C Neergaard with whom she has two children, Samer and Lila.