The Cairo Poltergeist

The Cairo Poltergeist of 1979 represents one of the best-documented cases of poltergeist activity in the Middle East. The events, which occurred in the Shubra district of Cairo, attracted police investigation, media coverage, and analysis by Egyptian authorities.

The Setting

The phenomena occurred in the home of the Salama family in Shubra, a densely populated district of Cairo. The family consisted of parents and several children, living in a modest apartment.

The Phenomena

Beginning in October 1979, the Salama household experienced extraordinary events:

Object Movement

• Household items flew across rooms
• Furniture moved without human intervention
• Heavy objects like beds slid across floors
• Kitchen utensils launched themselves from shelves
• Books and papers scattered spontaneously

Spontaneous Breakage

• Glass objects shattered with no apparent cause
• Windows cracked
• Mirrors broke
• Dishes flew from cabinets and smashed

Physical Effects

• Family members were struck by flying objects
• Clothing was torn
• Scratches appeared on family members
• Unexplained sounds filled the apartment

Investigation

The case attracted official attention:

Police Response

Cairo police investigated the disturbances:

• Officers witnessed phenomena firsthand
• Reports were filed documenting events
• No evidence of fraud was found
• Police were unable to explain the occurrences

Media Coverage

Egyptian newspapers covered the story:

• Al-Ahram, Egypt’s major newspaper, reported on events
• Journalists visited the apartment
• Some reporters witnessed phenomena
• The story became national news

Scientific Interest

Egyptian researchers attempted to study the case:

• Physicists and psychologists visited
• Phenomena proved difficult to study systematically
• The random, violent nature of events complicated observation

The Focus

As with many poltergeist cases, the activity appeared to center on a specific individual - one of the younger family members (accounts vary on which child). Common to poltergeist cases:

• The target was an adolescent
• The family was experiencing stress
• Activity increased with emotional tension
• Phenomena occurred most frequently in the target’s presence

Cultural Context

The Cairo Poltergeist occurred within a specific cultural framework:

Islamic Perspective

Many Egyptians interpreted the events through Islamic belief:

• Djinn (supernatural beings) were blamed
• Religious authorities were consulted
• Quranic recitations were used as countermeasures
• The events fit within existing Islamic demonology

Traditional Responses

The family tried traditional remedies:

• Religious blessings and prayers
• Consultation with local imams
• Traditional protective measures
• Eventually moving to different housing

Modern Egypt

The case highlighted tensions between:

• Traditional spiritual beliefs
• Modern Egyptian society
• Scientific investigation
• Media sensationalism

Duration and Resolution

The poltergeist activity:

• Lasted approximately six weeks
• Gradually decreased in intensity
• Ceased after the family relocated
• Did not resume at the new location

This pattern is consistent with many poltergeist cases where environmental change ends the activity.

Significance

The Cairo Poltergeist is significant for several reasons:

Regional Importance

One of the few well-documented Middle Eastern poltergeist cases with:

• Official investigation
• Media documentation
• Multiple credible witnesses
• Cross-cultural research interest

Islamic Context

Demonstrates how poltergeist phenomena are interpreted within Islamic framework:

• Djinn possession/attack
• Spiritual warfare
• Religious countermeasures
• Faith-based understanding

Witness Quality

The involvement of police and journalists provided:

• Independent verification
• Official documentation
• Credible witness pool
• Protection against simple fraud explanation

Similar Cases in the Region

The Cairo Poltergeist connects to a broader pattern of Middle Eastern phenomena:

Saudi Arabia

Reports of djinn attacks and poltergeist-like activity are common in Saudi Arabia, often attributed to supernatural beings from Islamic tradition.

Turkey

Turkish poltergeist cases blend Islamic beliefs with local folklore, with similar patterns of activity.

Iran

Persian tradition includes extensive djinn lore, with contemporary cases interpreted through this lens.

Legacy

The 1979 Cairo case remains:

• A reference point for Middle Eastern poltergeist research
• An example of cross-cultural paranormal investigation
• Evidence that poltergeist phenomena are reported globally
• A case study in how cultural context shapes interpretation

While the Cairo Poltergeist generated less international attention than European or American cases, it represents important documentation of poltergeist activity in a non-Western context, demonstrating that such phenomena - whatever their ultimate explanation - are reported across cultures and religious traditions.