Egypt Writes Its Glory Through Its People
بقلم: Berehan El-Faham

If ambition is the driving force behind success, then determination and perseverance are the path to achieving it. Above all, comes faith in God and the belief that dreams are worth working for, and that reaching them requires knowledge, patience, and persistence.

For thousands of years, Egyptians have been renowned for their creativity, civilization, culture, and ability to leave a lasting legacy across generations. In every era, Egyptian names emerge carrying this same spirit, presenting the world with remarkable achievements in science, literature, medicine, and sports, reaffirming that investing in people is the foundation upon which nations build their stature.

This remarkable presence is reflected in the Nobel Prize, with Egypt leading the Arab world with four distinguished Nobel laureates: Anwar Sadat, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978; Naguib Mahfouz, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988; Ahmed Zewail, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999; and Mohamed ElBaradei, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. These figures represent the diversity of Egyptian contributions and have left their mark on the history of humanity.

Alongside these distinguished figures, Dr. Magdi Yacoub stands out for his medical and humanitarian contributions, Dr. Zahi Hawass for his efforts to promote Egyptian civilization and archaeological heritage, and Mohamed Salah for his remarkable career on the international football stage. Although their fields differ, they share dedication to their work, a commitment to continuous development, and the ability to transform talent into achievement.

In 2026, stories of success continue to unfold, with new names emerging to give Egyptians further reasons to feel proud and to open new doors of hope for future generations.

In Dubai, Egyptian student Mayar Mohamed Ragab Othman was crowned champion of the tenth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Mayar carried her passion for reading to the winner’s podium, presenting an inspiring example of a young girl who made books her companions and knowledge her pathway to excellence. Her success reminds us of the importance of families and teachers in nurturing talent, and how encouraging a child to read can mark the beginning of a journey that transforms their future.

In the United States, Abdelrahman “Abdul” El-Sayed, an Egyptian-American, secured a seat representing the state of Michigan in the US Senate, becoming the first Muslim elected to serve in the chamber. His experience adds another chapter to the stories of people of Egyptian heritage who actively contribute to their communities and reach positions of influence through knowledge, hard work, and perseverance.

On the Arab sporting stage, Egypt’s Under-17 national team wrote a remarkable chapter in its sporting history, winning the Gulf Cup title after achieving six consecutive victories. The team defeated Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, and Iraq in the group stage, then overcame China 4–0 in the semi-finals before concluding its journey with a 3–1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the final. This made Egypt the first guest team from outside the Gulf region to win the competition. The players entered the tournament as special invitees and left with the trophy, proving their abilities through performance, discipline, and teamwork.

Also making headlines is Hamza Abdelkarim, a Barcelona and Egyptian national team player, who was selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) among the nominees for the 2026 African Young Player of the Year award, alongside nine of the continent’s most promising emerging talents. His inclusion on the shortlist reflects the progress of his career and inspires young Egyptian talents to believe in their ability to compete and reach the world’s biggest sporting stages.

In squash, Egyptians continued to shine on the podium, as Mostafa Asal and Amina Orfi claimed the men’s and women’s titles at the 2025–2026 World Championships. This achievement adds another distinction to Egypt’s sporting record and reflects years of training, dedication, and competition in pursuit of excellence.

These individuals may differ in age, fields, and personal experiences, but behind every achievement lies a story of determination: hours of learning, repeated attempts, and sacrifices unseen by the public before the moment of success arrives and is celebrated by all. What we witness on victory podiums is the result of years of hard work, determination, and the courage to keep moving forward despite challenges.

Therefore, celebrating these inspiring role models must go hand in hand with supporting talent, encouraging reading, research, and sports, and creating opportunities for everyone who has the ability and desire to grow. How many children need someone to discover their talents? How many young people are waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves? And how many dreams could flourish with the right guidance and support?

True patriotism is fulfilled through what we contribute to our homeland: by performing our work with excellence, developing our skills, supporting one another’s achievements, and teaching our children that ambition requires daily effort and that great dreams are worth pursuing.

Egypt writes its history every day through the minds and determination of its people. Every new achievement gives another generation the courage to begin and the confidence to believe that they, too, can reach their dreams.