1. Omar Sharif, born in 1922, was one of the most important and recognisable figures of 20th Century cinema. He starred in 21 films – many classics – although his defining role was certainly in Dr Zhivago. Later in his life, Sharif has become something of a recluse, turning his back on press and the film industry. He is a professional bridge player and writes regular newspaper columns on the game.

2. Born Badawiya Mohammed Karim Ali Sayed in 1915, Tahiya Carioca was one of the most famous and admired Egyptian stars of the 30s, 40s and 50s. She was a leading lady in over 200 films and also a respected dancer, credited with modernising traditional Baladi dance.

3. Hakim is, arguably, the most famous Egyptian musician ever. In 1991, he released his first album, Al Nazra, which blended sha’bi – traditional Egyptian pop – with more modern instruments. Many of his albums since have done the opposite, as he has reclaimed conventional instruments to create an updated sound and, by continually working with avant-garde musicians and producers, he remains a musical pioneer.

4. Hisham Moburak was Egypt’s foremost human rights campaigner. He was born into a poor family in 1963 and studied law at the University of Cairo, active in student politics. He was a founding member of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights in 1992 but, devastatingly, died of a heart attack at the age of just 35.

5. Naguib Mahfouz is often referred to as ‘the Father of the Arabic novel’ due to the influence his literature, such as Palace Walk, Palace of Desire and Sugar Street (referred to collectively as ‘the Cairo Trilogy’) has had on the region. His work is popular around the world and he remains the only Arab to have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.