The week in pictures

CAIRO, EGYPT- Egyptians having fun as they celebrate Sham El Nessim, or the Festival of Spring Breeze, which marks the beginning of spring every year.

GAZA CITY, GAZA- Palestinian Civil Defence members take part in a drill that to give them to skills to deal with real life situations

GAZA CITY, GAZA- Palestinian girls wearing traditional clothing as they pose for a photograph during a ceremony

NABLUS, WEST BANK- Palestinian boys join a rally in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails. There are around 1000 Palestinians currently hunger-striking in protest of their detention

NABLUS, WEST BANK- A Palestinian model shows off a beautiful traditional Palestinian dress during a fashion show held as part of the second Nablus Festival for Culture and Arts. The international festival showcases art exhibitions, film screenings, concerts and many other activities from 05 to 20 April

Members of the Samaritan sect take part in a traditional pilgrimage marking the holiday of Passover atop Mount Gerizim near the West Bank city of Nablus. The Samaritans practice a religion that is based on four principles of faith, one God – the God of Israel; one Prophet – Moses Ben Amram; the belief in the Torah – the first five books of the Bible and one holy place – Mount Gerizim

ISTANBUL, TURKEY- A huge carpet of Tulip flowers adorns the Sultanahmet Square and was decorated in the framework of the 11th Istanbul Tulip Festival held by the city’s municipality. The tulip garden consists of 564 thousand flowers of different colours, covering an area of 728 square meters. The tulip or “goddess” bears great importance to Istanbul. The Turks brought them from their native lands in Central Asia to Anatolia.

MADANIN, TUNISIA- At first glance, the scene may appear to be a vast, long-standing oasis, but as soon as you approach the entrance to the city of Gabes you’ll notice entrances built by the Berbers centuries ago to underground houses. Many of the houses are open to tourists to visit.

ANKARA, TURKEY- Children enjoying themselves in traditional clothes as they prepare for a folk dance show rehearsal for the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on April 23

KARAJ, IRAN- Iranians spending some time in the newly opened tulip garden during the 5th Tulips Festival at Chamran Park in Karaj. 46 varieties of 320,000 tulips are currently on display at the flower garden.