THE FASCINATION OF AN EGYPTIAN INTELLECTUAL WITH EUROPE: TAHA HUSAYN AND FRANCE.

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  • Author(s): Attar, Samar
  • Source:
    Arab Studies Quarterly. Winter2006, Vol. 28 Issue 1, p13-32. 20p.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
      LECTURES & lecturing; HUSSEIN, Taha, 1889-1973; EGYPTIAN foreign relations; FRENCH foreign relations; INTERNATIONAL relations
    • Subject Terms:
      FRANCE; EGYPT
    • Abstract:
      The article criticizes the lecture on the relations established by France with Egypt, given by Egyptian Minister of Education Taha Husayn in 1950. In his lecture, he emphasized the scientific and intellectual superiority of the French, their intelligence on one hand, and the diligent execution by the Egyptians of French plans on the other. According to Husayn, it was Napoleon who managed to wake up Egypt from her long sleep. Unlike other colonial powers, Husayn claims, France is not satisfied with occupying a country militarily. The French have always kept an open mind. Although Husayn's lecture was meant to further strengthen the cultural and technological ties between Egypt and France at the time, it revealed the political naiveté and shortsightedness of the lecturer. France was not always an honest broker in its dealing with Egypt as Husayn claimed.