18 - 24 October 2001
Issue No.556
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 18 - 24 October 2001 Issue No.556 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
A day like any other
It strikes me as somewhat unwarrant ed that people should be debating how to celebrate my 90th birthday next month. Is it even appropriate, to celebrate in light of the circumstances now surrounding the Arab and Islamic world? I feel that the current climate makes it very hard to think of feasts or celebrations.
So what I am saying is: neither cake nor candles. It will be more than enough for the friend who wields a pen or a brush to tell me, through the medium of his work, "May every subsequent year be a happy one, and may the world be well." This, to me, would be infinitely more appealing than an unwarranted celebration at the present time. If one of those friends feels inspired to elaborate on these simple words, to develop them into an article or a drawing, a complete work of art -- well, that wouldn't bother me either.
The important thing is that such articles and studies will enrich Arabic literature and culture, which is why I accept them with an open heart, even though I would accept silence with just as much equanimity on that day. It is, after all, a day like any other day.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
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