ESUJ Lecture ( in English
)
Ambassador's Lecture
Series No. 5!
Egypt, 5000 Years' Glory
Lecture by H.E. Ambassador Hisham Mohamed Moustafa Badr
A lecture the fifth talk in our very popular Ambassador's
Lecture Series took place on Tuesday, February 24 at the
Japan National Press Club, with Ambassador Badr speaking
to a full house of 60 people. We are sorry so many people
had to be turned away for lack of space. Please accept our
apologies.
Ambassador Badr began his lecture lightheartedly, pointing
out that ESUJ's request that he speak about 5,000, or actually
7000 years of Egyptian history in depth in less than an
hour would be most difficult! First, he pointed out that
Egypt, geographically is located at the meeting place of
the African, European and Asian continents, and from ancient
times to the present has always occupied a crucial point
in the flow of world history. He also emphasized the supreme
importance of the Nile River to the nation. Cycles of flooding
and drought gave rise to the world's first calendar; observation
of the rising and setting of the sun led to Egypt's idea
of the hereafter, producing the philosophy of immortality,
without which knowledge, it is impossible to completely
understand Egypt's colossal ancient ruins, starting with
the pyramids; the invention of paper from papyrus in the
era of the Pharaohs from around 3000BC made possible the
recording of history; in around 1500BC the New Kingdom emerged,
the Egyptian Empire's greatest period, in which many temples
were constructed and great armies raised, education spread,
and great medical progress was made, including development
of brain surgery; following that came the era of Alexander
the Great; from the Roman Era to the Christian Civilization
Egypt's economic might continued, followed by the emergence
of Islam, which has continued through the Ottoman Turks
to the modern era. Egypt's place in history through this
eternal flow of time was magnificently brought to life by
Ambassador Badr.
The ambassador went on to explain that presently Egypt
was active in international relations diplomacy of as one
of the major nations affected by the Iraq problem and the
Israel-Palestine conflict. He concluded by saying that for
terrorism to be eradicated, it is vital to find a solution
to the very basic issue of the Israel-Palestine problem.
In the question-and-answer session, Egyptian Embassy Counsellor
Mr. Salah El-Sadek and Mrs. Badr ( a latter-day Cleopatra?!)
spoke expertly on topics of interest such as the country's
economic problems and the participation of women in society
as Ambassador Badr had to leave the room to attend an official
engagement. Our special thanks to everyone from the Egyptian
Embassy who took part.
Hisham Mohamed Moustafa Badr, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan;
Graduate of the American University in Cairo, Master of
Oxford University. Department of Information and Research,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt; Second Secretary, Embassy
of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Tokyo; Counsellor, Embassy
of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Washington D.C.; Chief of
Staff, Cabinet of the Secretary General of the League of
Arab States. Since October, 2003, Egypt's Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to Japan. Also, Professor of Political
Science and Diplomacy, American University in Cairo.
