By Rashad Badour – Thursday, 2 February 2012
I was shocked and saddened by the statement made by Dr. Kamal Al‑Ganzouri, Egypt’s Prime Minister, when he said that our brothers in the Arab countries had promised to support Egypt in its economic crisis, but unfortunately did not fulfill their promises. This anger was shared by several journalists, media figures, and intellectuals from Egypt.
We gathered in one of the forums and discussed this statement with deep regret. We all know Dr. Al‑Ganzouri for his measured mind and his carefully weighed words—he is a practical man, not one who speaks for the sake of speaking. This strange situation compelled me to look back a little, though I will avoid recounting what Egypt has offered its brothers throughout the not‑so‑distant past, for the Egyptian people do good out of brotherhood, not out of obligation or expectation of gratitude.
But I will remind our brothers of the honorable stances taken by their noble leaders toward the great people of Egypt.
I begin with the late, great founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Al‑Saud, who always praised Egypt and its people. We cannot forget his stance when he supported the late King Farouk of Egypt after his abdication, choosing exile in Italy. King Abdulaziz allocated him a monthly stipend and instructed his sons to continue it after his death, because Farouk left Egypt empty‑handed, without a single coin abroad. King Abdulaziz did this because he understood the nature of the Egyptian people—who never forget kindness nor deny virtue.
When King Abdulaziz passed away and King Saud succeeded him, the stipend continued to be sent to King Farouk. President Gamal Abdel Nasser asked King Saud to stop this assistance, but King Saud—may God have mercy on him—responded with his immortal, chivalrous words:
“We do not allow our daughters to beg in Europe. The stipend will continue for King Farouk.”
This was the entire exchange between King Saud and Abdel Nasser. We in Egypt learned of it, and we honored King Saud for his noble stance, considering it an act of respect toward the Egyptian people, not merely toward the former king.
When King Saud later stepped down from the throne, he asked to spend the rest of his days in Egypt. He arrived in the land of the Nile warmly welcomed. We would see him in his motorcade heading to prayer or for a stroll, and crowds in Cairo would gather around his car, greeting him with joy, remembering his noble stance toward Egypt’s former king and his concern for protecting his daughters from hardship.
Another honorable stance belongs to the late King Faisal—may God have mercy on him. After Egypt’s defeat in 1967, Arab leaders gathered in the Khartoum Summit. President Gamal Abdel Nasser attended, as did the wise statesman King Faisal. At the beginning of the meeting, King Faisal requested to speak. The atmosphere grew tense; many leaders thought he would attack Abdel Nasser, given their previous disagreements and Abdel Nasser’s harsh criticism of Saudi Arabia and King Faisal.
But history bears witness that greatness remains greatness.
King Faisal began his speech by saying that Egypt’s defeat was not Egypt’s alone—it was the defeat of all Arabs. He said that all Arabs must support Egypt and strengthen President Abdel Nasser. Then he declared his famous words:
“I will begin with myself. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will support Egypt with all its needs. It is not acceptable that we live in comfort while great Egypt groans from its wounds.”
I recount these events to show how great leaders behave—leaders whose greatness is reflected in their noble actions. These are not mere historical anecdotes; they are honorable stances engraved in the hearts of the Egyptian people, who never forget kindness. This is the nature of the great Egyptian nation.
And now we come to Dr. Al‑Ganzouri’s recent statement about the lack of support from our Arab brothers. My response is this:
Do not think the Egyptian people are naïve.
We know the genuine from the false.
We observe your actions with astonishment and sorrow.
And I say it loudly:
“Beware the wrath of the loyal.”
You possess abundant wealth.
Egypt possesses rare minds.
Egypt will never beg, nor extend its hand to anyone who seeks to humiliate it.
This is not a warning—this is a reminder.
Do not forget that Egypt will never starve nor crawl to anyone. As the saying goes:
“A free woman would rather die than sell her dignity.”
Remember that Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), son of Ya‘qub, was the Minister of Finance of Egypt.
Egypt will remain great—by God’s grace.
The dignity of the Egyptian will remain high, his head raised to the sky.
Neither riyals make men, nor dirhams strengthen rulers, nor dinars elevate princes.
This is a reminder, not a threat.
We have wasted enough of our time, wealth, and resources on causes that concern you, not us.
And welcome to the sister Republic of Iran, whose president said he looks forward to the day he sees an Egyptian aircraft in his country’s skies. We have ties of kinship with Iran that have never been severed, by God’s grace.
God be with you, Egypt.
— Rashad Badour
Member of the Wafd Party