I received this message, as a commentary on the last week’s article “Baki… A History… Walking Among Us”: “May God rest the soul of the distinguished character of the Egyptian Armed Force; the hero Major General “Baki Zaki”!
He was one of the effective contributors in obtaining October’s victory. Your article, Bishop, published in Al Masry Al Yawm, as well as other articles, didn’t give that man who had fervently loved Egypt and her army his due credit, this modest hero used to prepare the Iftar for the fasting workers who worked under his supervision, during the period in which he shared in building up the High Dam, giving a magnificent example of a tender work senior towards his employees, this had made them burst into tears upon his mandate ending and returning to the Armed Forces.”
Truly speaking, I agree with the message sender that words turn fade and flimsy when we try to describe great figures like Major General Engineer “Baki Zaki Youssef”, or to depict his greatness accompanied by mere modesty and deep love towards everyone.
The character of Major General “Baki Zaki Youssef” was featured by his love towards everyone, he was sincere and honest regarding his promises with all. Here, I would like to recall a stance occurred during October War, which would reflect his deep humanity and sincerity, he had spoken about this story in a conversation. Maj. Gen. “Baki” had a close dear friend and colleague; Colonel “Elhami Al Sheikh”, the Commander of Force 19 in the Third Field Army, throughout their co existence in the Third Army, a deep friendship had been developed between them, and a close connection with an essence of country love, the dream of victory and restoration of the Egyptian “Sinai”. Before war began, the two friends had vowed that he who would remain alive and would pass through the canal shall remember the other one upon setting his foot on the land. “As soon as I crossed to the eastern bank and put my right foot on the ground, at 7:00 AM on the second day of the war, I asked Lieutenant Samir Yassin, one of his assistants, to pray Al Fatihah because he had died before witnessing that glorious moment. While I had prayed: ‘Our Father thou art in Heavens…etc’ which is found in the Bible, as we were one body and one soul in our Egypt”. While being the head of the army vehicle branch, he had known the Rescue Drivers on passageways, each by his name.
Major General Baki was a great human who felt the sufferings, worries and burdens of others, he described the Egyptian people as a rare currency with an authentic origin that glorifies at the time of distress. Here I recall a story recounted by General Baki about an elderly lady of about 90 years who was approaching the battlefront carrying a basket of hot bread. Major General Baki asked her: “Why do you toil yourself?!” She answered that she had a son serving in the army and that what she would offer to his colleagues made her feel she offered it to her son! “This is the spirit of Egyptians who always appear in distresses” he commented.
He used to be concerned about everyone’s personal interest, that he was loved by whoever knew him in work and public life; after his death, his wife declared that despite her grief for losing such a great husband and man, yet feelings of happiness pervades her after the great love shown towards him, not only from family members or friends, but also from the authentic Egyptian people! This is very clear in the words of Egyptians when they spoke about him; they said: “He was a greatly modest man, he loved people and was beloved by them” He was also described as: “One of the great figures of the Armed Forces which we cherish”, “He is a hero; he prevented our children’s blood shed from being wasted”. One of his family members said: “He is the loving big heart” And …Stories about beautiful Egypt and her heroes never end!
The General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
