Samir Sobhi reflects on this publication, its history and future and pays tribute to its founding editor on the eighth anniversary of his death , the founder and first editor of Al-Ahram Weekly, was often compared with the chief editor of Le Figaro. Kamal Naguib, the veteran journalist who first drew this comparison, pointed to the precision and perseverance with which Guindy performed his tasks. He was the first to come to office and the last to leave. And he wasn't even interested in writing. Only a few lines, and on very special occasions, were enough for him. What Guindy focussed on instead was providing his co-workers with the best working environment possible. He made sure that their offices were properly equipped, that photographers were standing by, and that transportation was provided. All he asked for was that his team produce interesting, current and objective reporting. When the Weekly was launched, our team was mostly young people, fresh out of Cairo University's Department of Mass Communications or from the American University in Cairo. Along with those, the newspaper recruited veteran journalists, some brought back from retirement, to maintain a balance between enthusiasm and expertise. The ones who were young back then are now running the paper. Take for example Galal Nassar, the current managing editor. Other journalists who started their career in this publication and are now its driving force include Shaden Shehab, Nevine El-Aref, Nevine Wahish, Amira Howeidy, Sherine Bahaa, Dina Ezzat, Gamal Essam El-Din, Inas Mazhar, Rasha Saad, Hani Mustafa, Mahmoud Bakr, Ayman George, Nesmahar Sayed, Ahmed Kamal and Nader Fouad. Currently, the newspaper has about 40 reporters specialised, among other things, in politics, economy, art, literature and heritage. The Weekly, now 20 years of age, remains one of the region's top English language publications. Writing on 28 February 1999, Guindy said, "Al-Ahram Weekly is a weekly newspaper published in Egypt. It is national and liberal and speaks neither for the government nor the opposition. It is published in English, but it shares the concerns of the average Egyptian." A year later, journalist Kamel Zoheiri wrote, "I attended the first anniversary celebration of Al-Ahram Weekly, a publication that was born strong and still offers first-class reporting, not only on local and international politics but also on culture and art, all of which is of great interest to Egypt's visitors. The paper also published interesting op-ed pieces, thus offering a wide spectrum of views to the readers." Voltaire once said: "Newspapers are our message to unknown friends." For me, Al-Ahram Weekly is not just a message, it is a reassuring presence.
