We know so little about the personal life of a man through whose eyes so many Arabs have read their contemporary history, writes Mahmoud Murad Tomorrow, Mohamed Hassanein Heikal will turn 89. His was a long and brilliant life, one that left its mark on Egyptian history as well as on journalism. The man often dubbed Al-Ustaz, or the master, has been at the forefront of the news business for nearly three generations. And his timing was immaculate when he decided to give Al-Ahram a long interview that started running last Friday. It was an exciting finale of his 88th year, and as usual enlightening and edifying. God has blessed Heikal with longevity, and I wish him many more satisfying and enjoyable years in the company of family, friends and disciples. He has spent much of his life in the public eye, and he earned the love and appreciation of a wide audience of Egyptian and Arab readers and television viewers. On his birthday cake, I would like to write one word: Autobiography. Heikal's history is part of the history of this country. And his personal life, once revealed, would bring us all much-needed insight not only into the past, but also into the present and the future. Heikal has been kind enough to share with Egyptian and Arab viewers his immense insight and political memoirs. He offered analysis, reviewed events, and enlightened us on the public aspects of his life. But he left the personal aside. Now it is just my wish for him to round up his life's experience with an autobiography that tells us more about the struggles he's been through, the sentiments and moods, the human aspects of which we know so little. Heikal's life can offer inspiration to thousands of youths who saw their future stunted by economic hardship and their intellects challenged by the intricacies of Arab and foreign argumentation. The story of Mohamed Hassanein Heikal is worth telling, and can bring into focus much of the ideals we seek to revive today. His path was strewn with hard work, dedication and alertness, all of which are qualities we desperately need to instil in our youth. Heikal was born to a middle class family with a normal set of ambitions. They expected their child to follow a normal career, not to venture into the unknown paths of journalism. But Heikal was not interested in a normal life. He was interested in seeking the truth, in learning a profession that was at once influential and troubled. Heikal took his first steps into journalism during World War II, a time of political intrigue, business gimmickry, and ideological divisiveness. Egyptian journalism was just as turbulent as was the country, and it was tempting to just swim with the current and let one's fate be decided by those who were more powerful. It was easy to give in to money and other temptations. But Heikal decided to play by the highest of professional rules, and it wasn't long before his superiors recognised his innate talent. Heikal started his first job as a reporter with The Egyptian Gazette on 8 February 1942. Later on, he moved to Akher Saa, where he worked under the top journalist of his time, Mohamed Al-Tabei. He worked for years for Akhbar Al-Youm, before he became chief editor of Al-Ahram in August 1957. From then on, there was no looking back. A legend was born, and it has survived the test of time. Success didn't come easy. Heikal covered domestic and Arab news, reported on the 1948 War, and became a chronicler of the 1952 Revolution. He wrote extensively about the policies of President Anwar El-Sadat and the 1973 War. Heikal left Al-Ahram in 1974 to gain even more acclaim as an analyst, historian, and raconteur par excellence. He has shared much of his experience with us, except the parts he deemed to be personal in nature. Now this is exactly what we wish to see in print. A glimpse into a life that was extraordinary by all accounts, turbulent, edifying, and impossible to replicate. It is a life worthy of committing to paper, and one that would nourish and enlighten generations to come. Happy birthday, Heikal!
