Their accomplishments are a constant reaffirmation of a living legacy that stretches back to one of humanity’s greatest civilisations. When Egyptian talents are given the attention and nourishment they merit, they can produce world-renowned achievements in the sciences, arts and other fields of human activity. But in addition to Naguib Mahfouz, Ahmed Zewail, Omar Sharif, and Magdi Yacoub, there are hundreds of Egyptians whose remarkable accomplishments we know nothing of.
For instance, have you heard of Dr Martin (Marty) Makary?
Members of the US Congress know him. Last week, after examining his academic credentials, they confirmed his appointment as commissioner of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), which is one of the most important scientific offices in the US government. The FDA is the regulatory agency responsible for approving drugs and medications for use in the US and ensuring the safety of food products. No new medicine can be used for treatment and no food product can enter the market without its approval.
Dr Makary, an eminent specialist in surgical oncology and laparoscopic surgery, is also known for his bold positions during the Covid-19 pandemic. While he supported masking, he strongly opposed the mandatory shutdown measures at the time. He also stood up to Big Pharma with his opposition to the administration of the Covid vaccine to children. He is the first Egyptian to hold a cabinet-level position in US history.
And what about Armia Khalil, have you heard of him? He immigrated to the US as a young man with a dream: to become a sculptor like his Pharaonic ancestors. But as the years passed, and his dream remained out of reach, he ended up working as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. At least there, in one of the world’s most prestigious museums, he was surrounded by many of the world’s unique masterpieces.
Then one day, a visitor struck up a conversation with him about one of the exhibits and was impressed by his artistic insight. When Khalil explained that he was, in fact, a sculptor, the visitor asked to see his work. As it turns out, this was no ordinary visitor. Rather it was a curator for the museum’s department of modern art who had been tasked with putting together an exhibition of works inspired by ancient Egypt. When the exhibition opened, one of the pieces on display was a sculpture by Armia Khalil. He had achieved a distinction some of the greatest contemporary artists can only dream of: to have their work displayed at the Met.
Armia Khalil’s life had changed overnight. But why is our media not covering these stories, which are making international headlines?
* A version of this article appears in print in the 17 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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