Memoirs of an Egyptian Jew

Author: Albert Arieh

"Some may wonder why I chose to write my memoirs, why I didn't write them before, and why I chose to do so in my later years. The truth is, I didn't choose my family or my country, but I did choose the shape of my life... I was born during the reign of King Fuad, witnessed the entire era of King Farouk, and lived through the July Revolution starting with Mohamed Naguib, then Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi, the January 25th Revolution, and finally President Sisi. I lived through this extended period in Egypt, and I saw both its advantages and disadvantages. I regret that many who speak about the past say incorrect things out of ignorance. However, at the same time, there are members of the current generations who are trying to truly understand the past. Indeed, Egyptian society was cosmopolitan and secular, open to the West, with no noticeable religious intolerance. The buildings of Cairo and Alexandria resembled those of Europe, clean and majestic, but this does not negate the existence of shanties and alleys, and people walking barefoot in the streets. Thus, I find myself a source of information, even if I did not fully choose this role... I do not regret my ideas, even if some of my convictions have changed over time. My political views taught me to love Egypt, to hold onto it, and to reject any attempt to exile me from it. The most beautiful period of my life was the time I spent in prison; I interacted with people, felt their presence, formed friendships, and truly came to know Egyptian society."