is one of Egypt's senior journalists, having occupied most of the country's important editorial positions. His daily column in Al-Ahram provided staple fare for many before its suspension some 18 months ago, which prompted the leading Egyptian economist Galal Amin to ask during the Gulf war where is Baha' El-Din to help us make sense of this whirlwind that threatens us all? Of all Egypt's journalists, probably commands the widest following and the greatest respect. High praise one might think, but in this case justified, since Baha' El Din is unique in that readers from across the political spectrum have given him their attention, and his long career has displayed a level-headedness and a reasonableness that have earned him long term respect after short term publicity has faded. He began his full time journalistic career in 1952- the year of the July Revolution, towards whose ideals and aims he was deeply sympathetic. In the tumultuous years that followed 1952 he retained his level headedness; avoiding vulgar flaterry that characterized so much contemporary journalism. He never hesitated to differ if he thought the occasion warranted. His importance as a journalist does not only lie in the serious, slightly academic tone he introduced into Egypt's press, no small achievement given the sensationalism and vulgarity which dogs much journalism. But he was also a highly professional all-around newspaper man who was behind the creation and promotion of many of the country's leading papers and magazines. In his hands an unpromising venture could easily become an established and highly regarded institution, and this talent was as pronounced in his work in the weekly magazines as it was in the more august pages of Al-Ahram. He was also responsible for nurturing the talents of a whole generation of journalists, some of whom now occupy the higher reaches of Egyptian journalism.Born in Alexandria 1927, Baha' El-Din entered the faculty of law at Alexandria University at the age of 15 and graduated four years later. Though a brilliant student, his young age at graduation prevented him from practicing, and he decided instead to read for PhD. One year later he was appointed a prosecuting lawyer.In 1948 Baha' El-Din started writing for the magazine Fusul, edited by Zaki Abdel-Qader, on topics ranging from politics to literature. In 1952 he was asked by Rose El-Youssed, the owner of the weekly magazine which bears her name, to join the magazine and act as joint editor with herself and her son, the novelist Ehsan Abdel-Quddous. Out of this collaboration grew one of the most fruitful friendships in Egyptian journalism. Rose El-Youssef virtually adopted Baha' El-Din as a second son, and it was he who gave the magazine its now familiar tone and style. In 1956 convinced of the need for younger, lighter companion magazine which would serve as 'the intelligent youth's guide to current affairs'. Baha' El-Din founded Sabah El-Kheir (Good Morning). The magazine soon began to employ new talents such as Salah Jaheen and a whole generation of brilliant cartoonists, poets and journalists, all of whome received their first tutelage at the hands of Baha' El-Din. Married in 1959 to Daisy Baha' El-Din, they have two children, Zyad, an economist who occasionally contributes articles to economic publications including Al-Ahram Al-Iqtisadi, and Leila, a diplomat who now lives in London. Both have followed their father's academic and historical interests, having studied at London University reading economics and political history respectively. In 1959 he became editor of the organ of the July Revolution the daily Al-Shaab and shortly after moved to Al-Akhbar. In 1964 he was appointed chairman of Dar Al-Hilal and Editor of its weekly magazine, Al Mussawar which again benefited from his imprint. In 1967, two months after the June defeat, he was unanimously slected head of the journalists' Syndicate, an appointment which was followed by a string of international positions including chairman of World Journalists; Federation and chairman of the Arab Journalist's Federation. In 1972 he returned to Rose El-youssef as chairman of the board, and in 1974 was appointed chairman of A-Ahram. This was a position he held for only two years, however, leaving for Kuwait in 1976 and working his familiar magic on the monthly magazine Al-Arabi, turning it into one of the most widely read Arab magazines. In 1981 he returned to Egypt, became a senior journalist as Al-Ahram, and started to publish his popular Youmiyaat, which he continued until 18 months ago, only halting because of illness. It was in 1954 that I first met Baha', having just left the magazine in which I used to work, vowing never to return. Depressed, and not quite knowing how to earn a living, I wandered into Rose El-Youssef and talked over my problems with a friend who suggested I write for the magazine. I wrote something and left it, and when this was prominently published I handed in a second piece which was published as the editorial of the magazine. I have worked for Rose El-Youssef ever since and can count on Baha' as a great friend. For all of us at Rose El-youssef, working with Baha' was an unforgettable experience. He had the unique ability to turn a workplace into a club, so much so that on holidays one would wander back to the office sure of being able to find all one's friends and colleagues gathered around with the same idea. All his friends know Baha's rare qualities and his wide interests, however odd. He is fond of naval history, and can talk like an admiral on the minutest details of great historical battles. He has a great passion for history, and his books on the subject are witness to his great love of Egypt and its history. His famous phrase that 'man is an animal with a history' appears in the introduction to his book Days with History, where he set himself to rediscovering history for the ordinary man. For him Egypt's modern history, starting with the French invasion, is the drama of the Egyptian people trying to control their destiny and retain their identity. The story has never been more eloquently told, and I do not think that any other book has so much shaped the ordinary Egyptian's self-awareness. Of popular life and the popular pulse of Egypt, Baha' is a great connoisseur, and nothing equals walking with Baha' in the popular and older districts of Cairo, listening to him talk. His dream is of a Cairo rebuilt and restored by the great architect Hassan Fathi; only a dream perhaps, but one which bears eloquent testimony to the humane imagination of . Issue 25 - 15 August 1991 Profile by Mohamed Ouda
