| Arabic Electronic Mail Journal |
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| Egyptian Art and Culture |
Edited by S Suwellam, London, UK /
| Mustafa Kamel Driving Force of National Movement (1874-1908) |
Mustafa Kamel is an outstanding nationalist leader,
who fully dedicated his life and career to the cause
of liberating his homeland from the British occupation.
He was, in fact, the driving force that instilled new life
into the national liberation movement which had
already
suffered a severe setback, following the abortion of
the Orabi Revolution in 1882, and the consequent
British occupation of Egypt.
Through his writings and speeches, Mustafa Kamel
waged untiring peaceful resistance against British
colonialism inside Egypt and abroad. He disclosed the
atrocities
of British occupation in Egypt and managed to win the
support of world public opinion. His rare devotion to
and untiring defense of the cause of national
independence had enriched the Egyptian nationalist
movement.
who fully dedicated his life and career to the cause
of liberating his homeland from the British occupation.
He was, in fact, the driving force that instilled new life
into the national liberation movement which had
already
suffered a severe setback, following the abortion of
the Orabi Revolution in 1882, and the consequent
British occupation of Egypt.
Through his writings and speeches, Mustafa Kamel
waged untiring peaceful resistance against British
colonialism inside Egypt and abroad. He disclosed the
atrocities
of British occupation in Egypt and managed to win the
support of world public opinion. His rare devotion to
and untiring defense of the cause of national
independence had enriched the Egyptian nationalist
movement.
Education
As a student at the elementary school, he was deeply interested in history and at the secondary stage, he used to
make speeches every Friday. His outstanding ability
of improvising captured the attention of his audience, a matter which provided early signs of his unique talent in
oratory, which remained a characteristic feature of his
personality and his role as a highly eloquent speaker and nationalist leader.
In 1891, Mustafa Kamel obtained his Bachelor of Law at the Egyptian school of law and traveled to France, where
he obtained a degree in law at the school of law,
Toulouse, France in 1899.
Career
Kamel started his career as a lawyer, in preference to government jobs which, he thought, would bring him under the
control of the British colonialist authorities.
Since the early beginning of his career, and even before, he dedicated himself to defend the prime cause of his
homeland; freedom from British occupation. His plan
of action was based on two demands: evacuation of British occupation forces, and declaration of the constitution.
His activity in this respect covered both the
domestic and international arenas. At home, he worked for spreading awareness among Egyptians through public
speeches and contributions to the press. (As an
example, he founded "Al Liwa" (The Banner) newspaper in 1900).
He advocated the spreading of education by establishing private schools. He also called for the establishment of the
Egyptian University. In 1907, he established the
National Party as a political instrument to organized the political activities of young Egyptians involved in the struggle
for independence and the institution of the
constitution. He thought to secure and use the sympathy of Khedive Abbas Helmi, encouragement of France and
support of Sultan Abdul Hameed II to the
nationalist movement.
Internationally, Mustafa Kamel paid several visits to France and other European countries, where he delivered
speeches before public gatherings and wrote articles
in the press advocating the Egyptian cause.
He also visited Constantinople, Capital of the Ottoman Empire, where he had close relationships with the Sultan's
entourage. He was endowed the title Pasha.
In 1906, the Denshewai incident took place, where a number of Egyptian peasants were arbitrarily sentenced to
death, penal servitude and flogging under false
charge of killing a British officer. This incident spurred the development of the nationalist movement. Mustafa Kamel
seized the chance to expose the scandalous
nature of the incident and the activities perpetrated by British colonization of Egypt.
At the end, the British High Commissioner, Lord Cromer was forced to resign and the Denshewai peasants sent to
prison were pardoned in 1908.
Outstanding Figure
Mustafa Kamel's outstanding personality was conditioned by three elements, which contributed to his success as a
leader of the Egyptian nationalist movement: his
full dedication and firm faith in his own message, his personal traits and true patriotism.
Kamel was not merely an enthusiastic patriotic leader, but rather a political leader, with a mature mind, insight and
both intensive and extensive awareness of the
secrets of international politics.
Reason gave him a remarkable advantage over his predecessors. Prior to his active involvement in political activity,
Kamel had made a thorough study of the
Egyptian issue. He reviewed the history of preceding nationalist leaders and learned from their past pitfalls. As an
example, he avoided the mistake committed by the
leaders of the Orabi Revolution, when they clashed with the Khedive, which gave Britain the pretext to intervene in
Egypt on behalf of the Khedive.
In his attempts to end British occupation of Egypt, he sought support from France. In so doing, he was taking
advantage of the contradictions between the interests
of France and Britain.
Mustafa Kamel was known for his unique talent and ability as an eloquent orator and press writer. He used these
skills to the limit, in reviving and rejuvenating the
nationalist movement. While still a student, he contributed to major newspapers such as "Al-Mo'ayyad" and
Al-Ahram. In 1900, he founded "Al Liwa" newspaper,
which became the organ of his national party. In 1907, he established two additional newspapers; "L'Etandard
Egyptienne" in French and the "Egyptian Standard" in
English, beside a weekly magazine, The Islamic World".
Principal Concepts
Mustafa Kamel's nationalist and political activity was based on the following fundamental concepts:
It is essential to support the Ottoman Caliphate and Khedive against imperialist conquest; i.e. to stand as a united
front in the face of foreign conspiracies.
Education and cultivation of patriotism into young generations are bases for the revival of the nation and combat of
colonialism.
Oratory and the press should be used as effective instruments in the national struggle.
He moved his political campaign against British occupation of Egypt to the colonialist power's own ground and other
parts of the world, with a view to influencing
world public opinion.
He stressed the national unity between Muslims and Copts.
Famous Sayings
As an eloquent and talented orator, Mustafa Kamel left a wealth of statements which have been acknowledged as
famous sayings, including:
"Free in our homeland, generous to our guests".
"Hope is the evidence of life and way to freedom".
"With despair, life is pointless, and so is despair while alive".
His works
Mustafa Kamel wrote several books, namely:
"Lives of Nations and Slavery under the Romans" "The Oriental Question" "Egypt and British Occupation"
"Egyptian-French Messages", addressed to Mrs. Juliet
Adam. "The Conquest of Andalusia", a play.
Following a hectic life, rich with achievements, as well as frustrations, the devoted patriot and nationalist leader
passed away on February 10, 1908 at the age of 34.
**SIS.EG
As a student at the elementary school, he was deeply interested in history and at the secondary stage, he used to
make speeches every Friday. His outstanding ability
of improvising captured the attention of his audience, a matter which provided early signs of his unique talent in
oratory, which remained a characteristic feature of his
personality and his role as a highly eloquent speaker and nationalist leader.
In 1891, Mustafa Kamel obtained his Bachelor of Law at the Egyptian school of law and traveled to France, where
he obtained a degree in law at the school of law,
Toulouse, France in 1899.
Career
Kamel started his career as a lawyer, in preference to government jobs which, he thought, would bring him under the
control of the British colonialist authorities.
Since the early beginning of his career, and even before, he dedicated himself to defend the prime cause of his
homeland; freedom from British occupation. His plan
of action was based on two demands: evacuation of British occupation forces, and declaration of the constitution.
His activity in this respect covered both the
domestic and international arenas. At home, he worked for spreading awareness among Egyptians through public
speeches and contributions to the press. (As an
example, he founded "Al Liwa" (The Banner) newspaper in 1900).
He advocated the spreading of education by establishing private schools. He also called for the establishment of the
Egyptian University. In 1907, he established the
National Party as a political instrument to organized the political activities of young Egyptians involved in the struggle
for independence and the institution of the
constitution. He thought to secure and use the sympathy of Khedive Abbas Helmi, encouragement of France and
support of Sultan Abdul Hameed II to the
nationalist movement.
Internationally, Mustafa Kamel paid several visits to France and other European countries, where he delivered
speeches before public gatherings and wrote articles
in the press advocating the Egyptian cause.
He also visited Constantinople, Capital of the Ottoman Empire, where he had close relationships with the Sultan's
entourage. He was endowed the title Pasha.
In 1906, the Denshewai incident took place, where a number of Egyptian peasants were arbitrarily sentenced to
death, penal servitude and flogging under false
charge of killing a British officer. This incident spurred the development of the nationalist movement. Mustafa Kamel
seized the chance to expose the scandalous
nature of the incident and the activities perpetrated by British colonization of Egypt.
At the end, the British High Commissioner, Lord Cromer was forced to resign and the Denshewai peasants sent to
prison were pardoned in 1908.
Outstanding Figure
Mustafa Kamel's outstanding personality was conditioned by three elements, which contributed to his success as a
leader of the Egyptian nationalist movement: his
full dedication and firm faith in his own message, his personal traits and true patriotism.
Kamel was not merely an enthusiastic patriotic leader, but rather a political leader, with a mature mind, insight and
both intensive and extensive awareness of the
secrets of international politics.
Reason gave him a remarkable advantage over his predecessors. Prior to his active involvement in political activity,
Kamel had made a thorough study of the
Egyptian issue. He reviewed the history of preceding nationalist leaders and learned from their past pitfalls. As an
example, he avoided the mistake committed by the
leaders of the Orabi Revolution, when they clashed with the Khedive, which gave Britain the pretext to intervene in
Egypt on behalf of the Khedive.
In his attempts to end British occupation of Egypt, he sought support from France. In so doing, he was taking
advantage of the contradictions between the interests
of France and Britain.
Mustafa Kamel was known for his unique talent and ability as an eloquent orator and press writer. He used these
skills to the limit, in reviving and rejuvenating the
nationalist movement. While still a student, he contributed to major newspapers such as "Al-Mo'ayyad" and
Al-Ahram. In 1900, he founded "Al Liwa" newspaper,
which became the organ of his national party. In 1907, he established two additional newspapers; "L'Etandard
Egyptienne" in French and the "Egyptian Standard" in
English, beside a weekly magazine, The Islamic World".
Principal Concepts
Mustafa Kamel's nationalist and political activity was based on the following fundamental concepts:
It is essential to support the Ottoman Caliphate and Khedive against imperialist conquest; i.e. to stand as a united
front in the face of foreign conspiracies.
Education and cultivation of patriotism into young generations are bases for the revival of the nation and combat of
colonialism.
Oratory and the press should be used as effective instruments in the national struggle.
He moved his political campaign against British occupation of Egypt to the colonialist power's own ground and other
parts of the world, with a view to influencing
world public opinion.
He stressed the national unity between Muslims and Copts.
Famous Sayings
As an eloquent and talented orator, Mustafa Kamel left a wealth of statements which have been acknowledged as
famous sayings, including:
"Free in our homeland, generous to our guests".
"Hope is the evidence of life and way to freedom".
"With despair, life is pointless, and so is despair while alive".
His works
Mustafa Kamel wrote several books, namely:
"Lives of Nations and Slavery under the Romans" "The Oriental Question" "Egypt and British Occupation"
"Egyptian-French Messages", addressed to Mrs. Juliet
Adam. "The Conquest of Andalusia", a play.
Following a hectic life, rich with achievements, as well as frustrations, the devoted patriot and nationalist leader
passed away on February 10, 1908 at the age of 34.
**SIS.EG
