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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 May 1999 Issue No. 429 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 May 1999 Issue No. 429
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Books Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters The loss of a friend
By The Editor
It is with deep sorrow that Al-Ahram Weekly regrets to announce the passing this week of Eqbal Ahmad (1933-1999), one of its most prominent contributors, a great human being, an eminent scholar and political writer and a relentless fighter for human emancipation. Ahmad died on 10 May in Islamabad of complications following an operation for colon cancer.
Eqbal Ahmad (1933-1999)
Edward Said, a close personal friend and collaborator of Ahmad's, describes him in this issue of the Weekly (p.15) as "a man of enormous personal charisma, incorruptible ideals, unfailing generosity and sympathy to others". These qualities were evident to his readers. Eqbal Ahmad wrote much as he spoke: in articulate, incisive terms, which often cut to the quick. His fundamental humanism, which often lent a desolate or sarcastic tone to his writing, steered him always clear of bitterness. He knew so much, and believed passionately in the causes he espoused.
Eqbal Ahmad's contributions to Al-Ahram Weekly span several years and cover a remarkably wide range of issues. He wrote with equal insight and eloquence on the Palestinian struggle, the domestic and regional politics of Pakistan and India, religious fundamentalism; he commented widely on US policy, turning his profoundly astute analytical skills to such events as the American-led bombings of Iraq and, more recently, Yugoslavia. His last contribution to this paper was a series of articles on the latter subject.
Al-Ahram Weekly takes great pride in having been fortunate enough to count Eqbal Ahmad as a regular contributor. There is, of course, no way to express fully our profound sense of loss. With Eqbal gone, the world has lost an outstanding scholar, an exceptional man, and a true ally.
- A true struggle, a good man
Edward Said remembers Eqbal Ahmad
