Louis Grace in a Seminar at the BA
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Alexandria—
The BA Dialogue Forum organized on Saturday, 17 November 2007, a seminar entitled "Conditions of Egyptians Over Two Centuries" by Journalist Louis Grace, chaired by Dr. Yehia Halim Zaki, Head of the BA Cultural and Academic Sector.
At the beginning of the seminar, Louis Grace stated that September 11th events in the United States of America shook the international system and resulted in a severe attack on Islam, Muslims, and the Middle East at large. He added that the repercussions of September 11 attacks are similar to those of London Conference in 1840, when the Modern Egyptian State under Muhammad Ali's reign was undermined by the dominant powers at that time.
He added that Egypt, through the past 35 years, 1805–1840, was the third great power in the world, and was threatening Astana, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Egypt has the potentials to become a great political, economic, and military power.
Louis Grace emphasized that the London Convention of 1840 signed by Muhammad Ali Pasha is similar to the Israeli–Egyptian Peace Convention signed by late President Anwar Al-Sadat. He explained that there is a conspiracy against Egypt in specific, and the Arab world in general by the West and Israel to keep the Arab world under the dominance of the great powers.
He added that the majority of Egyptians live under circumstances very similar to the period before the French Expedition in 1798. At that time, the country was suffering from ignorance and backwardness, and gave an example "Fighting Illiteracy Project" which succeeded in many countries, while illiteracy is still increasing in Egypt.
He referred to the withdrawal of Egypt's regional and cultural role, while it is still reiterating that it is Om El-Donia (mother of all nations) and cannot recognize the magnitude of progress in other Arab countries, and added that Egypt led the same cultural role played by Paris, London, and New York until 1955.
He focused on the importance of combating corruption, referring to the Malaysian experience, which achieved its political and economic renaissance through fighting corruption at all levels, from senior leaders to junior staff.
Mr. Louis Grace concluded the seminar by referring to freedom of expression which is increasing in Egypt. He mentioned that in spite of all the obscurity, Egypt is progressing to some extent and that the New Library of Alexandria should continue to tackle important issues and host experts and specialists to study various problems pertaining the Egyptian society. He added that media has a major role in reflecting the truth apart from any offenses.