Al-Ahram
Encyclopedia
Al-Ahram founded in 1875, is the most widely circulating Egypt
ian daily newspaper, and the second oldest after al-Waqa'i`al-Masriya (The Egyptian Events, founded 1828). It is majority owned by the Egyptian government
.
Given the large dialectical variety of the Arabic language, Al-Ahram is widely considered an influential source of writing style in Arabic. In 1950, the Middle East Institute
described Al-Ahram as being to the Arabic-reading public within its area of distribution, "What The Times
is to Englishmen and the New York Times to Americans."
In addition to the main edition published in Egypt, the paper publishes two other Arabic-language editions, one geared to the Arab World
and the other aimed at an international audience, as well as editions in English and French.
. It began as a weekly newspaper published every Saturday, but two months after the newspaper was founded, the Takla brothers turned it into a daily newspaper. The newspaper was distributed in Egypt and the Levant
. In November 1899, Al-Ahram' s headquarters was moved to Cairo
. The religious innovators Muhammad Abduh
and Jamal al-Din al-Afghani
were early writers in the newspaper.
, Cairo. Its content was controlled by the now defunct Egyptian Ministry of Information.The pan-Arab Arabic-language edition of the paper, called Al Ahram Al Arabiya, is destined for readers in the Arab World and the Egyptian expatriates in Arab countries. It is published daily in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and distributed in Egypt and the Gulf Region.
An international Arabic-language edition called Al Ahram al Duwali has been published daily in London since 1984. It is printed in both London and Paris and is distributed throughout Europe, USA, Canada and Egypt.
Al-Ahram produces a continually updated news website in the English language at English.Ahram.org.eg, called Ahram Online. Two foreign-language weekly versions are also produced: the English Al-Ahram Weekly
(founded in 1991) and the French Al-Ahram Hebdo
.
and has not published much direct criticism of the Mubarak
government.
The Anti-Defamation League
, in a review of Arab newspapers in 2005, writes that al-Ahram "is given substantial leeway" by the government so long as they avoid "certain 'taboos'." Reporters Without Borders
, in their 2005 report on press freedom in Egypt, reported that editorials in many newspapers, including al-Ahram, have become increasingly critical of the National Democratic Party's control of the government and the corruption of the Mubarak regime. In an interview with Reporters Without Borders, Abdel Halim Qandil, editor of the weekly magazine Al-Arabi, said that the government interferes with independent operation of al-Ahram by controlling the printing presses and appointing the editors.
, revealed that the newspaper had altered a photo of Middle East leaders walking with United States President Barack Obama
so that instead of Obama leading the group, Egyptian President Mubarak was placed in the front when he was actually walking in the rearmost position. Osama Saraya, Al-Ahram's editor-in-chief, defended the altered photo, stating that it was meant to underscore Egypt's leading role in the peace process: "The expressionist photo is... a brief, live and true expression of the prominent stance of President Mubarak in the Palestinian issue, his unique role in leading it before Washington or any other."
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian daily newspaper, and the second oldest after al-Waqa'i`al-Masriya (The Egyptian Events, founded 1828). It is majority owned by the Egyptian government
Politics of Egypt
The government of Egypt, as of February 27, 2011, is a republic currently under military rule of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces after the President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak stepped down following several days of mass protests. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the...
.
Given the large dialectical variety of the Arabic language, Al-Ahram is widely considered an influential source of writing style in Arabic. In 1950, the Middle East Institute
Middle East Institute
The Middle East Institute is a non-partisan think tank and cultural center in Washington, DC. Founded in 1946, MEI is the oldest institution in Washington dedicated exclusively to the study of the Middle East. Its founder, architect and philanthropist George Camp Keiser, assembled a team of...
described Al-Ahram as being to the Arabic-reading public within its area of distribution, "What The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
is to Englishmen and the New York Times to Americans."
In addition to the main edition published in Egypt, the paper publishes two other Arabic-language editions, one geared to the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
and the other aimed at an international audience, as well as editions in English and French.
History
Al-Ahram was founded in 1875 by two Lebanese brothers, Beshara Takla and Saleem Takla, who were living at that time in AlexandriaAlexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
. It began as a weekly newspaper published every Saturday, but two months after the newspaper was founded, the Takla brothers turned it into a daily newspaper. The newspaper was distributed in Egypt and the Levant
Levant
The Levant or ) is the geographic region and culture zone of the "eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt" . The Levant includes most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and sometimes parts of Turkey and Iraq, and corresponds roughly to the...
. In November 1899, Al-Ahram
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
. The religious innovators Muhammad Abduh
Muhammad Abduh
Muhammad Abduh was an Egyptian jurist, religious scholar and liberal reformer, regarded as the founder of Islamic Modernism...
and Jamal al-Din al-Afghani
Jamal al-Din al-Afghani
Sayyid Muḥammad ibn Ṣafdar Husaynī , better known as Sayyid Jamāl-ad-Dīn al-Afghānī and Sayyid Jamal-ad-Din Asadabadi , , was a political activist and Islamic ideologist in the Muslim world during the late 19th century, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe...
were early writers in the newspaper.
Editions
Al-Ahram daily is the flagship of what is now the Al-Ahram publishing house, the largest in Egypt. Al-Ahrams headquarters is in BoulaqBoulaq
Boulaq is a district of Cairo, Egypt. It neighbours Downtown Cairo, Azbakeya, and the River Nile.The name Boulaq comes from the French 'Bon Lac', which literally means 'Good Lake'. The name was arabised into Bolaq, which in Egyptian dialect is pronounced 'Bolaa'.-History:Following the Baybars’s...
, Cairo. Its content was controlled by the now defunct Egyptian Ministry of Information.The pan-Arab Arabic-language edition of the paper, called Al Ahram Al Arabiya, is destined for readers in the Arab World and the Egyptian expatriates in Arab countries. It is published daily in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and distributed in Egypt and the Gulf Region.
An international Arabic-language edition called Al Ahram al Duwali has been published daily in London since 1984. It is printed in both London and Paris and is distributed throughout Europe, USA, Canada and Egypt.
Al-Ahram produces a continually updated news website in the English language at English.Ahram.org.eg, called Ahram Online. Two foreign-language weekly versions are also produced: the English Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Ahram Weekly is an Egyptian English-language weekly broadsheet printed by the Al-Ahram Publishing House in Cairo, Egypt.It was established in 1991 by the Al-Ahram newspaper, which also runs a French-language weekly version, Al-Ahram Hebdo....
(founded in 1991) and the French Al-Ahram Hebdo
Al-Ahram Hebdo
Al-Ahram Hebdo is the leading French-language newspaper in Egypt. It was established by the Al-Ahram newspaper which also runs an English-language version, Al Ahram Weekly....
.
Ownership and government influence
Al-Ahram is owned by the Al-Ahram Foundation and is one of the largest circulating newspapers in the world. The Egyptian government owns a controlling share of the stocks of the paper and appoints the editors. As appointees of the state, little censorship is exercised over them; it is understood that they are loyal to the state. Al-Ahram has largely ignored and trivialized the opposition parties to the ruling National Democratic PartyNational Democratic Party (Egypt)
The National Democratic Party , often simply called Al-Ḥizb al-Waṭaniy – the "National Party", was an Egyptian political party. It was founded by President Anwar El Sadat in 1978....
and has not published much direct criticism of the Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
government.
The Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
, in a review of Arab newspapers in 2005, writes that al-Ahram "is given substantial leeway" by the government so long as they avoid "certain 'taboos'." Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
, in their 2005 report on press freedom in Egypt, reported that editorials in many newspapers, including al-Ahram, have become increasingly critical of the National Democratic Party's control of the government and the corruption of the Mubarak regime. In an interview with Reporters Without Borders, Abdel Halim Qandil, editor of the weekly magazine Al-Arabi, said that the government interferes with independent operation of al-Ahram by controlling the printing presses and appointing the editors.
Photo controversy
Al-Ahram generated controversy in September 2010 when an Egyptian blogger, Wael KhalilWael Khalil
Wael Khalil is a Egyptian political activist known for his criticism of the Mubarak regime, his activity during the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and his blog WaELK.net which covers government, activism and sports.-Personal life:...
, revealed that the newspaper had altered a photo of Middle East leaders walking with United States President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
so that instead of Obama leading the group, Egyptian President Mubarak was placed in the front when he was actually walking in the rearmost position. Osama Saraya, Al-Ahram's editor-in-chief, defended the altered photo, stating that it was meant to underscore Egypt's leading role in the peace process: "The expressionist photo is... a brief, live and true expression of the prominent stance of President Mubarak in the Palestinian issue, his unique role in leading it before Washington or any other."
Notable writers
- Naguib MahfouzNaguib MahfouzNaguib Mahfouz was an Egyptian writer who won the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature. He is regarded as one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature, along with Tawfiq el-Hakim, to explore themes of existentialism. He published over 50 novels, over 350 short stories, dozens of movie...
(1911–2006), awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in LiteratureNobel Prize in LiteratureSince 1901, the Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually to an author from any country who has, in the words from the will of Alfred Nobel, produced "in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction"... - Salama MoussaSalama MoussaSalama Moussa Born into a wealthy, land owning Coptic family in the town of Zagazig located in the Nile delta. Salama Musa was a journalist, writer, advocator of secularism, and pioneer of Arab socialism. He wrote or translated 45 published books; his writings still influence Arab thought and he...
- Taha Hussein
- Zaki Naguib MahmoudZaki Naguib MahmoudZaki Naguib Mahmoud was an Egyptian intellectual and thinker, and is considered a pioneer in modern Arabic philosophical thought. Best known with "The philosopher of authors and author of philosophers" as Abbas Mahmoud al-Akkad called him...
- Yusuf IdrisYusuf IdrisYusuf Idris, also Yusif Idris was an Egyptian writer of plays, short stories, and novels. Idris originally trained to be a doctor, studying at the University of Cairo...
- Ihsan Abdel QuddousIhsan Abdel QuddousIhsan Abdel Quddous was an Egyptian writer, novelist, and journalist and editor in the Al Akhbar and Al-Ahram newspapers. He is known to have written many novels that have been adapted in films....
- Mohammad Hassanein Heykal served as editor-in-chief of the daily (1957–1974)
- Edward SaidEdward SaidEdward Wadie Saïd was a Palestinian-American literary theorist and advocate for Palestinian rights. He was University Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and a founding figure in postcolonialism...
- Hamid DabashiHamid DabashiHamid Dabashi born 1951 in Ahvaz is an Iranian-American Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York City.He is the author of over twenty books...
- Ahdaf SoueifAhdaf SoueifAhdaf Soueif is an Anglo-Egyptian novelist and political and cultural commentator.-Life and career:Soueif was born in Cairo and educated in Egypt and England...
- Sabah HamamouSabah HamamouSabah Hamamou is an Egyptian journalist, and deputy business editor at .-Professional:Sabah Hamamou started her career, in 1994, as a general assignment trainee reporter at one of Al-Ahram publications, the monthly Al-Shabab magazine, while at the same time attending Cairo University .After...
- Anis MansourAnis MansourAnis Mansour, also transliterated as Anīs Manṣūr was an Egyptian writer.Anis Mansour was born in Al-Mansoura. He obtained his BA in philosophy in 1947 and started his journalistic career in the same year by joining "al-asas" newspaper staff, and later he joined many other newspapers and...
- Azmi BisharaAzmi BisharaAzmi Bishara , a former member of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, is a Palestinian intellectual, academic, politician, and writer.In 2007, Bishara fled Israel and resigned from the Knesset after being questioned by police on suspicion of aiding and passing information to the enemy during...
- Joseph MassadJoseph MassadJoseph Andoni Massad is Associate Professor of Modern Arab Politics and Intellectual History in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies at Columbia University, whose academic work has focused on Palestinian, Jordanian, and Israeli nationalism...
- Khalid AmayrehKhalid AmayrehKhalid Amayreh is a Palestinian journalist based in Dura, near Hebron. Amayreh has experienced years of restrictions on his activities and travel, including imprisonment.-Life and work:...
- Shahid Alam
- Fekry AbazaFekry AbazaFekry Pasha Abaza was an Egyptian journalist and democratic political activist.-Life:Fekry Abaza was born in 1896 in the village of Kafr Abu Shehata in the East, Egypt. He is a member of the notable Egyptian Abaza Family. In 1917 he graduated from the School of Law and worked as lawyer...