Release of 1st Arabic version of Gamal Abdel Nasser biography

CAIRO - 11 January 2018: Egypt’s Ministry of Culture has announced the official release of an Arabic-translated version of Anatoliĭ Agaryshev’s book “Nasser”, which was first published in 1975. The release of the book commemorates the 100th birthday of Egypt’s former President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

The book was translated from Russian to Arabic by Samy ‘Omara and contains an introduction by Gamal Abdel Nasser’s daughter, Hoda Abdel Nasser. In the introduction, Hoda Abdel Nasser commends Agaryshev’s depth and accuracy in analyzing the political philosophy that Nasser disseminated throughout his regime.

“Agaryshev’s efforts to understand the philosophies behind each of Abdel Nasser’s life stages from his childhood, to his youth, to the years leading up to the revolution, and finally to the peak of his power, do not end at the events themselves, but deeply explore reasons and motivations behind Nasser’s decisions and views,” writes Hoda Abdel Nasser, adding that Agaryshev has succeeded in understanding the modern history of the Egyptian society that surrounded Nasser as well as the Arab mentalities of the 20th century. “He has communicated this depth of knowledge through his exciting writing style that pushes the reader to stay until the very end,” she explained.

The book discusses Nasser’s life, and further explores different critical perspectives on Egypt’s transformation under his rule through archival information and interviews. It discusses Egypt’s revolution in 1952, and how it became an inspiring example of the power of people around the world.

Aside from the revolution, “Nasser” explores the policies applied throughout the time of the regime, including the agricultural reforms of 1952, free public education policies, and industrial policies. It also discusses the nationalization of the Suez Canal and the conflict between Egypt and its “Three Enemies” (England, France, Israel). The relationship between Nasser’s government and the Soviet Union and the Soviet reception of Nasser’s alliance are also discussed with depth and political insight.

Anatoliĭ Agaryshev was a Soviet journalist who wrote for the daily Russian tabloid newspaper “Komsomolskaya Pravda”. He was sent to report from Cairo in the late 1960s, where he was immersed in the political relationships and interactions of the Arab region.

The translator of the book, Samy ‘Omara, is a graduate of Ain Shams University’s Faculty of Languages, and holds a PhD in the Russian language from the Saint Petersburg State University in Russia. He has worked in the Egyptian Embassy in Moscow, as well as with Russian experts on various projects. ‘Omara has translated over 25 books of various genres from Russian to Arabic.