Wael Ghoniem, creator of the Facebook page “We are all Khaled Saeed” that mobilised many Egyptians during the Egyptian revolution, is now one of the recipients of the John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Ghoniem, a marketing executive at Google, is to receive the award along with the people of Egypt as their courageous revolution not only ousted former president Mubarak but also inspired many other movements across the Arab world.
The John F Kennedy Library Foundation announced on its website that Elizabeth Redenbaugh, a North Carolina School Board member who stood up against what she perceived as racial segregation in school redistricting plans, would share the award with Ghoneim on 23 March.
“From a small county school district in North Carolina to Tahrir Square in Cairo, this year’s Profile in Courage honourees show us the importance of individual acts of conscience,” said Caroline Kennedy, president of the foundation.
Ghoneim was arrested by Egyptian police on 27 January and was released only 12 days. His testimony of his detention and his reaction to hearing the news of Egyptians killed during protests on 28 January reinvigorated the revolution in its final stages. Ghoneim was one of the supporters of reform campaigner Mohamed ElBaradei.
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