Our Cairo correspondent Tarek Heggy has some good news. If you've been reading his columns here, you'll know he's one of the good guys and that he's working hard to create reform in his part of the world. If you've been reading sources like LGF or MEMRI, who show us the blatant cultivation of hate that is often featured in Egypt's press, you'll especially understand why this report is good news. He writes:
"The first issue of “Al-Masry Al-Youm” is in every journal kiosk in Egypt today (Monday 7th June, 2004). This is the first independent daily political paper to be permitted in Egypt since 1954. This new paper does not have any link with governmental bodies or political parties.
There's more.
“Al-Masry Al-Youm” is owned by a group of Egyptian businessmen (including myself): all are “Liberals” who advocate the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, cultural and religious tolerance, market economy, women rights and peace culture. “Al-Masry Al-Youm” will have soon a 800-word-column daily by myself.
In addition to the launch of this daily paper that involved hard preparations for more than a year, on 1st July, 2004 a much bigger project will be also launched, the International Centre for Future & Strategic Studies “ICFS” – which is emanated from a company that I have 40% of its equity shares and shall be the CEO of.
The two projects (the paper and the Think-Tank) aim at contributing proactively to the realization of the imperative political, economic and cultural reforms that are crucial to put Egypt on the path of progress, modernity and to be in full harmony with the march of civilization.
Regards,
Tarek Heggy.
Beirut: June 7th, 2004.
Go Al-Masry Al-Youm! Go, ICFS! And Mr. Heggy, sir... both Al-Masry Al-Youm and IFCS should have blogs.
Here's to the new Egyptian Daily!
Lebanon?????
I assume he's there on a visit of some kind. Mr. Heggy travels a lot.
Great news, but the headline should prolly include
from Lebannon ... about Egypt
Another small skirmish in the war between modern, secular tolerant Islam and Islamic fundamentalists.
Suggestion taken.