All Articles

Between Dream and Politics By Hossam Badrawi In the realm of principles, the rigid rule prevails: “All or nothing.” It is a call for pure idealism that refuses half-measures and sees gradual progress as a retreat from what is right or a compromise on core values. However, in the world …

Forgiveness, pardon, and mercy are interconnected concepts in Arabic, especially in religious and moral contexts. When a friend asked me about the difference between them, I reflected and came to the following understanding: Pardon (العَفْو): It refers to waiving punishment for the offender, meaning letting go of holding them accountable …

My Beloved Mother By Hossam Badrawi Mama, mama, mama, mama My beloved mother Not only on Mother’s Day But every day You were the gentle breeze around me, And you still are. The music in my soul, A presence we all felt without intrusion, A warmth we turned to without …

  Trump’s retreat from the plan to forcibly displace Gaza residents to voluntary displacement is merely a superficial change. The approach has shifted from a powerless Palestinian state to no state and no rights for Palestinians. Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – 2:46 PM During my visit with the Round Table …

Fifteen Years of Wisdom and Renewal By Dr. Hossam Badrawi This year marks the 15th anniversary of my dear friend, His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, assuming the leadership of Al-Azhar. This is an occasion worth reflecting upon, to appreciate an exceptional figure who combines profound knowledge, intellectual …

This title is taken from an editorial in The New York Times, on March 16, 2025.   In response and as an addition to the article, I want to clarify my perspective on universities and the role of higher education, before returning to the article and its implications.   The …

What is the Truth? By Hossam Badrawi The experience of living in complete darkness is known by several names, with one of the most notable being the “Dark Retreat” — a spiritual and meditative practice used in some Buddhist and Taoist traditions. In this practice, a person lives in a …

The foreign policy of the United States underwent a dramatic shift with Donald Trump’s presidency, characterized by what is known as “Trumpism.” This approach emphasized American interests through unconventional tools such as confrontational rhetoric, symbolic aggression, withdrawal from multilateral agreements, reliance on direct diplomacy, and a shift from multilateralism to …

I once had a fascinating experience meeting five people I had never known. We were not allowed to get to know each other in advance. The experiment occurred in a completely dark environment, where the sense of sight was absent. We met and introduced ourselves without seeing each other, moving …

Ramadan and a Better Human By Hossam Badrawi The holy month of Ramadan has begun, and I wonder: How is it that, in the 21st century, we still rely on the naked eye to sight the crescent moon to determine the start of the month, when science now allows us …

The Curiosity of Grandchildren and the Dilemma of Grandparents By Hossam Badrawi I was contemplating conducting a study on 500 Egyptian children to understand their most frequent questions to parents and teachers—questions that we often avoid answering. Sometimes, this is due to our lack of knowledge, our belief that the …

Graduation Speech Class of 2024 New Giza Medical School Hossam Badrawi Esteemed families of the students, Dear graduates, Respected faculty members, Inspirational figures: Dr. Sameh Farid, Dr. Lamis Ragab, and Dr. Lamia Mohsen, I stand before you today to speak about the greatest and most honorable profession—one that deserves our …

Published in Al-Azhar Newspaper (February 2025) The body is governed by a set of genetic codes that we have studied and researched. But does the soul have a genetic code? And where are its genes? I was explaining to a group of young people how a fetus develops in the …

Egypt in the Face of International Dictatorship By: Hossam Badrawi These days, President Trump is threatening and dismantling everything we have believed in as values of Western civilization—human rights, equality among people, and the foundations of democracy built on institutional principles. Even respecting treaties and international agreements is being evaded, …

On Valentine’s Day By Hossam Badrawi To all those who fill our lives with warmth, beauty, and serenity. I do not believe that love is confined to a single day in the year, nor that it is a gift to be bought or a flower to be given and then …

A Dialogue with Youth and Artificial Intelligence By: Hossam Badrawi Does the Soul Have a Genetic Code Like the Body? The body is governed by a list of genetic codes that we have studied, researched, and sometimes even manipulated. But does the soul have a genetic code? And where is …

Hossam Badrawi Writes: Why Are We Surprised by a Repeating Pattern? Murder, Displacement, Brutality, and Inhumane Genocide of Populations By the Wise Politician, Dr. Hossam Badrawi Throughout human history, there have been numerous cases of forced displacement and genocide targeting entire populations, often replacing them with others. Australia and the …

Education and the Philosophy of Returning to Kuttab By Dr. Hossam Badrawi The philosophy of basic education is not merely about teaching reading and writing; it is about building the intellectual and human foundation that supports the holistic development of individuals, enabling them to become part of a global society …

The Future of Humanity By Hossam Badrawi   In 2022, Open AI launched its famous ChatGPT model, an artificial intelligence system capable of interacting with humans in a natural and unprecedented way. Within just a few months, the system reached millions of users worldwide, making it the fastest-growing application in …

Reforming the General Secondary Education System By Dr. Hossam Badrawi The state has proposed a project to reform the “General Secondary Education” system under a new name: “The Egyptian Baccalaureate.” The name does not concern me; rather, it is the philosophy of development that matters. In response to societal inquiries, …