User:Latifa Raafat

I am an avid reader, and am happy to live close to one of the largest libraries in the world.

When I find time I try to contribute to wikipedia, particularly on topics with centuries of history, that are difficult and controversial. I find the following wikipedia policies, guidelines and links useful. I promise to respect them. I hope you will too:

Wikipedia policy and guidelines links

 * WP:V: Verifiability, no original research and neutral point of view are Wikipedia's core content policies. Readers must be able to check that Wikipedia articles are not just made up. This means that all quotations and any material challenged or likely to be challenged must be attributed to a reliable, published source using an inline citation. Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than the beliefs or experiences of its editors. Even if you're sure something is true, it must be verifiable before you can add it.
 * WP:NOR: Wikipedia does not publish original thought: all material in Wikipedia must be attributable to a reliable, published source. Articles may not contain any new analysis or synthesis of published material that serves to reach or imply a conclusion not clearly stated by the sources themselves. The phrase "original research" (OR) is used on Wikipedia to refer to material—such as facts, allegations, and ideas—for which no reliable, published sources exist. This includes any analysis or synthesis of published material that serves to reach or imply a conclusion not stated by the sources. To demonstrate that you are not adding OR, you must be able to cite reliable, published sources that are directly related to the topic of the article, and directly support the material being presented.
 * WP:NPOV: Articles must not take sides, but should explain the sides, fairly and without bias. Wikipedia aims to describe disputes, but not engage in them. Editors, while naturally having their own points of view, should strive in good faith to provide complete information, and not to promote one particular point of view over another. As such, the neutral point of view does not mean exclusion of certain points of view, but including all verifiable points of view which have sufficient due weight. Good and unbiased research, based upon the best and most reputable authoritative sources available, helps prevent NPOV disagreements. Try the library for reputable books and journal articles, and look for the most reliable online resources.
 * WP:RS: Articles should be based on reliable, third-party, published sources with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy.
 * WP:COPYVIO: Do not add content to Wikipedia if you think that doing so may be a copyright violation. Contributors should take steps to remove any copyright violations that they find.
 * WP:CIVIL: Participate in a respectful and considerate way, and avoid directing offensive language at others. Present coherent and concise arguments, and refrain from making personal attacks; encourage others to do the same.
 * WP:NPA: Do not make personal attacks anywhere in Wikipedia. Comment on content, not on the contributor. Personal attacks harm the Wikipedia community, and the collegial atmosphere needed to create a good encyclopedia. Derogatory comments about other editors may be removed by any editor. Repeated or egregious personal attacks may lead to sanctions including blocks.
 * WP:TPG: Talk pages are for improving the encyclopedia, not for expressing personal opinions on a subject or an editor. Do not use the talk page as a forum or soapbox for discussing the topic. The talk page is for discussing how to improve the article. Violations (and especially repeated violations) may lead to the offender being blocked or banned from editing Wikipedia.
 * WP:WWIN: The amount of information on Wikipedia is practically unlimited, but Wikipedia is a digital encyclopedia and therefore does not aim to contain all data or expression found elsewhere. Wikipedia is not a place to promote things, is not a thought-book, a website primarily used for communication, a free-media center. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia and, as a means to that end, an online community of individuals interested in building and using a high-quality encyclopedia in a spirit of mutual respect.

Quick links

 * The five pillars of Wikipedia
 * Help pages
 * Tutorial
 * How to write a great article
 * Manual of Style
 * Citation templates
 * Questions
 * Cleanup process
 * Number of article page views
 * Upload images from Flickr
 * Archive cited web page
 * Dispute resolution
 * Open arbitrations
 * Tasks needing help