In mourning

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An earlier photo of Mohamed with his grandfather; Alaa and Gamal Mubarak carrying the coffin on the way out of Al-Rashdan Mosque

EGYPTIANS have been in a state of shock and grief over the death of the grandchild of President Hosni Mubarak. Twelve-year-old Mohamed, the child of Mubarak's eldest son 47-year-old Alaa, died suddenly on Monday.

A presidency statement said that Mohamed died after a "two-day health crisis", while other reports elaborated that he had suffered a brain haemorrhage on Saturday and was flown to Paris for emergency treatment, where he died. On Tuesday the child's body was brought back to Egypt for burial. Before the funeral, the body was admitted to Al-Galaa Armed Forces Hospital where President Mubarak bid his eldest grandson farewell, since he was not to attend the funeral. Alaa has another son, Omar, who is six years old.

In the heartrending funeral, Alaa and Gamal Mubarak were palpably grief-stricken while they carried the coffin; state officials and prominent figures were all present.

Egyptians knew Mohamed from Mubarak's family pictures, especially those portraying grandfather and grandson alone. The president and his favourite grandson were often seen supporting the national football team together, for example; it is well known that the president was very deeply attached to Mohamed.

No matter the degree of support or love for the president's family, the news prompted distress across the board; even newspapers which routinely criticise Mubarak, like Al-Dostour, expressed sympathy for the family. "My heart goes out to the president at this sad moment, which must be the hardest in the life of any father or grandfather," wrote Ibrahim Eissa, editor of Al-Dostour, yesterday. The president "must feel that everyone, opposition and supporters alike, share his grief".

Likewise Egyptian television: both state and satellite channels restricted their broadcasts to religious songs and recitations of the Quran (the traditional sign of respect), covering the event all through Tuesday. Since then, the presidency has decreed that no condolences should be paid in the newspapers.

Unconfirmed press reports suggest that Mubarak may now postpone his visit to Washington to meet with Obama for the first time since the US president was sworn in, initially scheduled for next week. Commentators and talk show hosts have urged Mubarak to cancel his visit and give himself and his family time to mourn.

At this difficult moment, Al-Ahram Weekly extends its deepest condolences to President Mubarak's family, wishing them the strength to withstand the calamity. (see p.2)