Anba Ermia’s Article – Beautiful Egypt 146 – «Egypt’s Good Son» March 6, 2016

   In the previous article, we spoke of a man who was harshly criticized during his lifetime so that he might stop working. Yet, storms could never break him. He lived strong and unshaken. Dr. Boutros Ghali was a cultured scholar who embarked on his political career during his academic life. He passed through several stages and bore lots of responsibilities on both the Egyptian and international levels.
   Despite his responsibilities, Egypt always dwelt in his heart and mind. When he was asked about his achievement, he answered, “I have always worked to serve my country. This is an achievement in itself.” Egypt continued to live deep within him. He used to say, “My allegiance is solely for Egypt. I care about serving Egypt internally or externally, for Egypt, the Arab as well as Islamic countries are always attacked by the outside world. I have to face and counter this attack.”
This is why he cared for Egypt’s affairs. He had a long-term vision of the problems which could happen to Egypt in the future. He never stood helpless before them. The Nile was one of these crucial problems. He had always tried to convince both the Egyptian and African public opinion of founding an organization that would supervise the Nile. He kept trying for twenty years. In fact, he visited the irrigation ministers in Asia to look into the experience of the countries that share the Mekong. These countries established an organization that supervised the distribution of water, sailing, and linking electricity networks. Likewise, he tried to create a union for the African parties. Yet, all his trials failed.
   Dr. Ghali cared about the problems of the developing world, exerted efforts to help its countries, with the ultimate goal of helping Egypt. He said, “If I help a neighboring country to improve its conditions, I will be helping Egypt in an indirect way. The most important thing to me is helping Egypt, be it directly or indirectly.”
   As he accompanied Sadat in his trip to Jerusalem, his goal was to liberate Sinai. During the two-month negotiations in Washington, he endured lots of hard stances from the Israeli part. He said, “During these negotiations, one had to endure several stances which are counted insults. But, that was for Egypt’s sake. At a point of time, I was about to leave. But late Abdullah al-Erian put his hand on my leg and said, ‘Do not forget that our land is occupied. Stay.’ I accepted.”
Dr. Boutros Ghali realized the importance of man’s playing an effective role in life. So, he decided to become a teacher in order to contribute to raising a new generation which will rule Egypt. He kept giving and offering his experiences, advice, and helping whoever dealt with him by implanting the values of honestly working and giving.
   Dr. Ghali had always advised youth to master languages in order to be able to deal with the outside world easily. He himself mastered Arabic, French and English. It came to pass, however, that he said he wished he had mastered a fourth language: “I regret not mastering a fourth language. I wish I had learned Spanish.” Being open to the outside world is one of the principles which Ghali called for. Its importance resided in countries’ need of the outside world, benefiting by globalization and avoiding its adverse effects. He said, “Openness to the outside world is important; as globalization will make us face internal problems which will be dealt with on an international level. Thus, if we are not open to the outside world, dealing with our internal problems will take place against the state’s will.” Egypt needs the outside world in so far as several realms are concerned, such as tourism and foreign investments. He also advised youth to work seriously and diligently. There is no such a thing as luck. Rather, he thought that the luck which humans seek comes as a result of serious and diligent work. A person has to work for ten hours per day. This will make him achieve his goals. Ghali was a role model of diligent work. He used to work, read, and write all day long.
   Thus, he was awarded gifts, medals and academic degrees by 24 countries.
He said about death, “I have to accept death. Most important is that I did my duty during my lifetime. If you are a responsible citizen, then you should care about your fatherland and serve it. Do your duty. It is a doctor’s duty to cure his patients conscientiously.”
   May Egypt’s good son rest in peace, for he worked throughout his life and exerted lots of efforts for her renown. He bore the flambeau of world peace. Thus, he became an ambassador of peace. This is a true story… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center