By Naguib Mahfouz For my generation Saad Zaghloul was the father of patriotism. He struggled for independence and democracy all his life, offering a role model for the entire Third World. The 1952 Revolution was in many ways faithful to Zaghloul's legacy, though much remains to be done. Zaghloul's message of independence and democracy remains very relevant to our lives. We need to remain independent from foreign influence. And we need democracy. Zaghloul's critics accuse him of collaborating with the British. This is unfair. Zaghloul stood by his principles and introduced reforms throughout his time in power. Under Zaghloul Egypt had to give up the Sudan, but only after the assassination of Sir Lee Stack, the governor-general of Sudan. At the time the National Party, which was in opposition, blamed Zaghloul for the loss. Zaghloul shot back: give me an army and I will take back the Sudan. There was no army forthcoming, of course. Zaghloul fought for Egypt's dignity and integrity till the last day of his life. Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
