On 3 December, the Coptic Orthodox Church held an event under the auspices of Pope Tawadros II to celebrate “150 years on the Coptic press”. The celebration which was held at the papal headquarters at St Mark’s in Abassiya, Cairo, was attended by a plethora of officials and public figures, as well as representatives of the five publications that were being honoured: the magazines al-Resala, al-Keraza, Madaris al-Ahad and Mar Morqos, also the newspaper Watani.
I proudly attended the event on behalf of Watani, together with a fine group of the various generations of Watani’s editorial team. The upcoming issue of Watani will carry detailed coverage of the event in which the iconic figures who dedicated their life quests to the Coptic press were honoured.
Today I would like to take a brief stroll through the history of Watani and its present, and cast a peek into its future.
The Church’s celebration of the Coptic press this December is auspicious in that the month coincides with Watani’s 64th anniversary; on 21 December Watani steps into its 65th year. We cherish with respect and gratitude the memory of its founder Antoun Sidhom (1915 – 1995) who applied for official license to publish Watani, and resolutely followed up on the application till the license was approved; the first issue of the paper was issued on 21 December 1958. Mr Sidhom nurtured Watani with untiring love and dedication until he departed our world on 2 May 1995, confident that he left his mission in the hands of a team he had groomed to love and serve Egypt, the Church and the press.
Watani is proud to have been among the five iconic Coptic publications honoured by the Pope Tawadros. It remains unique among the Coptic press, however, in that it its media mission is focused on “Coptic” within a national Egyptian perspective not restricted to the Christian facet. Ever since it was founded, Watani’s mission has been embodied in its motto: a poetry line by the illustrious Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi (1868 – 1932): “Watani [literally, My Homeland], if I were to be swayed from you by Eternity, even in Eternity would I yearn for you”. This line was inserted in the paper’s emblem.
Throughout its long years, Watani remained faithful to its founder’s vision of an Egyptian national paper, providing its readers with a variety of political, economic, social, cultural, sports and artistic coverage; in addition to its main concern which had long been lacking in the Egyptian press: Coptic and Church-related content, as well as Christian spiritual articles.
I would be pressed for space if I were to cite here Watani’s honours list of those who pioneered its work, those who throughout its history managed its editorial effort and its various sections and pages, forming younger generations of reporters who grew and matured till they were handed the torch. Their names are engraved in the memory of Watani; in fact, the names of the founders of each section of the paper figure on the headers of the pages, in gratitude for their contribution.
Watani will remain proud that throughout its lifetime, it was always keen on raising national issues in a balanced manner that highlights both the positives and negatives, and works to overcome shortcomings. In this context, Watani’s doors were always open to Christians and Muslims, also to men and women reporters and staff. In this respect, Watani actively confronted two of our most sensitive societal problems.
Watani will forever be proud to have taken it upon itself to expose the hostilities to which Copts were subjected in their daily lives, worship and churches. While doing so, it never gave up its principle of advocating citizenship and equality rights for Copts as the true Egyptians they are. It avoided sensationalising sectarian rights, and never resorted to exporting Copts’ grievances to outside the nation’s borders. It always insisted on addressing Copts’ sufferings within the perspective of the Egyptian family that includes fellow Muslims.
What I have written so far concerns Watani’s mission and roots. But what about the “talent” Antoun Sidhom left us?
Watani did not suffice with the Egyptian-centred Arabic language paper; it worked on publishing new annexes that have become part and parcel of its weekly publication. These are Watani al-Dawli that is published in Arabic and carries global news; Watani International published in English; and Watani Francophone published in French. This in addition to Watani Braille that addressed those with visual disabilities.
Some 22 years ago, Watani launched its website Wataninet. It keenly worked on nurturing and developing it, given that the future is in digital content.
So what about the future? I am happy to introduce the most recent of Watani’s achievements, the great fruit of long arduous effort. This most recent achievement involves the documentation of the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. This effort remained in the pipeline for two decades until finally the Egyptian government finally decided to launch the “Trail of the Holy Family in Egypt” as a religious tourism activity that takes visitors to the sites trodden by the Holy Family on their biblical flight into Egypt. In parallel, Watani joined the NGO Blessed Egypt Foundation in launching a website that provides virtual touring through the spots on the path trodden by the Holy Family in Egypt. Pope Tawadros recently graced the launching ceremony during the celebration held at St Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassiya commemorating 10 years on His Holiness’s papacy.
https://map.blessedegypt.com/ar/map
Finally, I am happy to announce the establishment of the Youssef Sidhom Foundation for Development to which Watani will hand over its charity sections that have been active since the 1980s. These are: Sandouq al-Kheir (Charity Fund) for the sick; Eftah Albak (Open your Heart) for the needy; and Ehna Maak (We’re with you) for persons with disabilities. This step comes in response to the law requiring separation of media activity from social work.
This is a testimony on the past, present and future of Watani. And hopes for a prosperous future.
Watani International
4 December 2022
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