21/10/2012
As Egypt drafts its new constitution, we must recognize that we are designing it in the second decade of the 21st century, and that much of what has changed in the world around us requires decision makers to have to think “outside of the box”. Regretfully, I find much of the current debate is about concerns and solutions that still seem very conventional in their outlook. Certainly there are certain fundamental issues that any constitution must address, from the oldest to the most recent.
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02/07/2012
Many friends have been sending me individual questions about the unfolding events in Egypt and events concerning the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), especially given the negative and malicious campaign that has been waged against me and the BA. So this is to set the record straight and to keep you informed of developments.
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23/11/2011
The Egyptian elections are progressing extremely well, better than anybody dared to hope for. As I cautiously predicted on my Tweets, despite the violence in the streets last week, there were signs that the incurable optimist in me saw as good signs for the advance of democracy. What were those signs?
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23/11/2011
As you know, we had strikes and demonstrations that called for my resignation and that of senior managers and that closed down the Library for two weeks (albeit with the Eid Holidays included). Armed with the confidence of the Board of Trustees and a strong statement of support from the Government and of intellectuals inside and outside of Egypt, I re-engaged with the demonstrators.
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12/02/2011
To the great youth of Egypt, the leaders of the Egyptian revolution of 25 January 2011, I salute you. For …
in the nobility of your spirit,
in the exuberance of your youth,
in the quality of your contacts,
in the unsullied idealism that you possess,
in the dedication to our common humanity that you bring …
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12/02/2011
Thank you for your many messages of solidarity and support throughout these last two weeks. And a salute to Egypt’s wonderful youth, who changed the course of history through peaceful demonstrations. The moral power of non-violence was never more ably deployed for the cause of more freedom, more justice and to lay the foundations of better tomorrows.
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