On the 5th anniversary of his departure…
Adel Abu Zahra was one in ten people chosen in 2001 by the UN from around the world in recognition of his volunteer work and his outstanding contributions to environmental issues, women’s rights and human rights.
Adel is perhaps best remembered for his work in founding the Association of the Friends of the Environment in Alexandria (the equivalent of the Greens in the West) in 1990. For the first time the public opinion started to gain awareness about the seriousness of the environmental problems in Egypt. The Governor of Alexandria paid tribute to his work in a speech to honour him by noting the joy felt when the telephone rings at the governorate to bring a complaint of a citizen about cutting down a tree. A typical example of this newly grown awareness was a manifestation organised by the girls in secondary schools against the cutting of trees, with a banner on which it was written: “The tree with its leaves sings hymns to God”.
A strong advocate of women’s rights, he took part in the fight to stop the genital mutilation of young girls. The fight is still continuing for the total elimination of this practice.
He was also a strong advocate of human rights; he was of the opinion that treating people with dignity is the best way to instil in them the respect of the democratic system.
Adel was a dedicated servant to Egypt and his countrymen; he was full of energy for a mission in which he deeply believed, after all those are individuals who change the course of history.
Adel Abu Zahra earned in 1969 a Bachelor of Arts, in 1974 a Master of Arts and in 1978 a Ph.D. in Psychology. He taught at many high institutions and faculties in Egypt. He participated in establishing the Department of Humanities in the Arab Academy for Sciences and Technology. He taught programs in Aesthetic Psychology, Scientific Thinking, Scientific Research Methodologies, Environmental Education, Behavioural Sciences, Psychological Health and Critical and Creative Thinking. Teaching for him was not only a transfer of information, but also a means to change the way young people think and live.
He is the author of around 80 publications in the fields of environment, women’s rights, development, education, creativity and human rights. He was an expert of human development with UN organisations working to eliminate violence and discrimination against women.
He was the host of a program on classical and folkloric music that he presented for nine years on the TV in Alexandria, and he was co-founder and general secretary of the Egyptian association of friends of the newly founded Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Adel was a humanist full of curiosity for the diversity and richness of all cultures around the world. He noted that societies that show a great dynamism like Canada, the United States and Australia are essentially societies built on diversity and tolerance; diversity and tolerance create prosperity and welfare. He wrote about the flourishing period that Alexandria knew in the 19th and 20th century, built with people from all countries of Europe and the Middle East who fled to Alexandria in order to escape the 19th century wars, the first world war, the second world war, the Balkans war, the Russian revolution, the Armenian genocide. Until the Suez war in1956 and even after, the city, with its beautiful villas and gardens, was considered as one of the most beautiful cities of the Mediterranean Sea.
It is the irony of destiny that this man, who fought for the environment, fell victim of a disease due to pollution. On his memorial day, we ask and pray that the many friends that Adel left behind in Alexandria and in Egypt will continue the spirit and the legacy of his work.
Watani International
26 October 2008
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