Celebration of Mohamed Ali at the BA

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Alexandria, 15 November 2005— The inauguration of Mohamed Ali and the World conference (15-17 November) took place today at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA). The conference celebrates the passage of 200 years since Mohamed Ali took over Egypt. It is organized by the BA in collaboration with the French Consulate in Alexandria, the Egyptian Society for Historical Studies and the Higher Council for Culture.

Emad Abu Ghazy, Supreme Council of Culture representative, started the opening session by a speech briefing the history of Egypt during the reign of Mohamed Ali, and stressed on how his reign was a division between the instability of the Egyptian society under the rule of the French revolution and the Ottoman rule, the Mamelukes, and the European power.

Followed by Abu Ghazy, Professor Raouf Abbas, President of the Egyptian Society for Historical Studies, shed light on the personality of Mohamed Ali as a politician, where he recognized the value of Egypt and its populace and developed its economic resources. He also succeeded in bringing about modern industry, and utilizing the European experience and technology, being cautious not to fall in foreign debt. He also pointed out how he was able to do all this in spite of his illiteracy.

Dr. Mohamed Awad, Director of AlexMed Center at the BA, then declared that this conference celebrates Mohamed Ali as well as all the figures that contributed to Egypt’s reformation and prosperity. He also explained how Mohamed Ali transformed Alexandria into a cosmopolitan city, considering it a focal point to all his conquests.

Youssef Zeidan, Director of the Manuscript Center at the BA, who stated his opinion that the Egyptians’ choice of Mohamed Ali as a ruler was due to his being a military man, as they are used to military rulers since Salah El-Din El- Ayoubi, the Mamelukes, and Napoleon Bonaparte.

The final speech was given by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, highlighting Mohamed Ali as a pioneer in the history of Egypt and the Arab world. He added that historians regard Mohamed Ali’s rule over Egypt as an attempt to change an Arab country according to the modern European convention. He gave examples of his achievements in the areas of internal security, politics, education, economics, ship industries, armaments, and roads, as well as health issues.

An exhibition will be accompanying the three-day conference, displaying rare photos of Mohamed Ali and his family, documents, Bulaq Press and Egypt during the reign of Mohamed Ali.


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