Egyptian Figures مصريون عظماء

Modern And Contemporary Era Scholaras

• Rifa'a al-Tahtawi (c. 1801–1873) was a writer, intellectual, and one of the founders of modern Egyptian culture. He established the first school of languages in Egypt and was an early Egyptologist who promoted the study of ancient Egypt.

• Ali Moustafa Mosharafa (c. 1898–1950) was a theoretical physicist who studied Maxwell's equations and relativity. He also served as the first Egyptian Dean of the Faculty of Science at Cairo University and advocated for the popularization of science in Egypt.

• Taha Hussein (c. 1889–1973) was an influential writer and intellectual, and a central figure in the modern Arab renaissance. As Minister of Education, he championed educational reform and promoted universal access to education.

• Naguib Mahfouz (c. 1911–2006) was a novelist and dramatist who became the first and only Egyptian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. His works explore themes of Egyptian society, existentialism, and politics.

• Ahmed Zewail (c. 1946–2016) was an Egyptian-American chemist and the 1999 Nobel laureate in Chemistry for his work on femtochemistry. He established the Zewail City of Science and Technology, a major research institute in Cairo.

• Farouk El-Baz (c. 1938–present) is an Egyptian-American space scientist who worked with NASA on the Apollo program. He is a geologist and researcher who has pioneered the use of satellite imagery to study Earth's deserts.

• Leila Ahmed (c. 1940–present) is a professor at Harvard Divinity School and a scholar of Islam. She is known for her influential work on gender and Islam, Women and Gender in Islam.

• Magdi Yacoub (c. 1935–present) is an Egyptian-British cardiothoracic surgeon who has performed thousands of heart and lung transplants. He founded the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation in Egypt to provide free medical care to the underprivileged

Medieval period

• Ibn al-Haytham (c. 965–1040 CE) was a polymath born in modern-day Iraq who spent much of his career in Cairo. Considered the "father of modern optics," his work significantly advanced the scientific method and experimental physics.

• Abū Kāmil Shujāʿ ibn Aslam (c. 850–930 CE) was a mathematician from Egypt known as the "Egyptian calculator". His work influenced later European mathematicians like Fibonacci and was fundamental to the development of algebra.

• Al-Maqrizi (c. 1364–1442 CE) was a historian who documented Egypt's past in extensive historical works. His detailed accounts of the Mamluk and Fatimid eras are invaluable to scholars

Egyptian sports icons include modern stars like footballers Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud El Khatib, and squash players Nour El Sherbini and Farida Osman, alongside pioneering female Olympians such as weightlifter Abeer Abdelrahman. Ancient Egyptian sports also left a legacy, with symbols of strength seen in javelin throwing, wrestling, and weightlifting.

Modern Egyptian Sport Icons

• Mohamed Salah (Football):

  Considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Salah is a global superstar known for his prolific goal-scoring for Liverpool and the Egyptian national team.

• Mahmoud El Khatib (Football):

  A legendary figure in Egyptian football, often cited as one of the greatest players in the nation's history.

• Nour El Sherbini (Squash):

  A dominant force in professional squash, El Sherbini has achieved numerous world titles and is considered one of the best players ever.

• Farida Osman (Swimming):

  Nicknamed "the golden fish," she holds the distinction of being the first Egyptian to win a gold medal at the FINA World Championships.

• Abeer Abdelrahman (Weightlifting):

  A groundbreaking Olympian, she was the first Egyptian woman and the first Arab and African woman to win two Olympic medals in weightlifting.

• Omar Marmoush (Football):

  A prominent modern-day footballer who represents both the Egyptian national team and a successful career in European football

Notable Mentions

• Football Icons:

  Players like Ahmed Elmohamady and Mohamed Zidan are celebrated for their significant contributions to Egyptian football.

• Female Athletes:

  Other inspiring women include Hedaya Malak Wahba (Taekwondo), Manal Rostom (Mountain Climbing), and Sarah Essam (Bodybuilding)

Iconic Classical And Pop Vocalists

• Umm Kulthum: An undisputed legend of Arab music, her career spanned decades in the 20th century. Her monthly radio concerts would bring the entire Arab world to a standstill.

• Abdel Halim Hafez: Known as "the Dark-skinned Nightingale," he was one of the most beloved and enduring singers of his era. His romantic songs continue to be celebrated today.

• Mohamed Abdel Wahab: A prolific composer and singer, he was one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Egyptian music. He introduced Western musical influences to Arab music.

• Dalida: A French singer and actress born in Cairo, she became famous in both Europe and Egypt. Her Egyptian songs remain classics.

• Mohamed Mounir: A popular singer and actor from Aswan, he is known for his unique musical style that blends Nubian, Egyptian, and world music

Classic-Era Actors Icons

Male Actors

• Omar Sharif (1932–2015): An internationally renowned Egyptian actor who gained global stardom for his roles in Hollywood films like Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965).

• Ahmed Zaki (1949–2005): Celebrated as one of Egypt's most talented actors, Zaki was praised for his versatile and intense performances in films such as The Days of Sadat.

• Farid Shawqi (1920–1998): Known as "The King of the Screen" in Arab cinema, he was a prolific actor, producer, and screenwriter who starred in over 300 films.

• Adel Emam (born 1940): A veteran actor and comedian, he is one of the highest-paid and most famous actors in Egypt. He is known for both comedic and serious roles, including in The Yacoubian Building.

• Rushdy Abaza (1926–1980): A prominent actor in Egyptian cinema's golden age, known for his charismatic screen presence

Female Actresses

• Faten Hamama (1931–2015): Referred to as "The Lady of the Arabic Screen," she is widely regarded as one of the most important actresses in Egyptian and Arabic cinema.

• Soad Hosny (1942–2001): Nicknamed the "Cinderella" of Arab cinema, she was a versatile actress who starred in over 80 films between 1959 and 1991.

• Hind Rostom (1929–2011): An iconic actress and sex symbol of the golden age, famously known for her seductive roles and performance in Youssef Chahine's Cairo Station.

• Shadia (1931–2017): A beloved actress and singer, she starred in over 100 films and was famous for her musical roles

Native Egyptian Actors With Hollywood Success

Omar Sharif (1932–2015)

Widely considered the first Egyptian and Arab actor to become a major international star, Omar Sharif built a prominent Hollywood career after beginning in Egyptian cinema.

• Lawrence of Arabia (1962): His English-language debut earned him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Academy Award nomination.

• Doctor Zhivago (1965): His portrayal of the title character won him another Golden Globe for Best Actor.

• Funny Girl (1968): He starred opposite Barbra Streisand in the acclaimed musical.

• Monsieur Ibrahim (2003): He won a César Award, France's highest cinematic honor, for his starring role

Amr Waked (born 1973)

After establishing himself in Egyptian cinema, Waked gained international recognition with significant roles in major American films and TV shows.

• Syriana (2005): He appeared in the political thriller alongside George Clooney.

• Lucy (2014): He co-starred with Scarlett Johansson in the Luc Besson action film.

• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020): He had a prominent role in the DC blockbuster.

• Ramy (2019–2022): He played the title character's father in the Hulu series, which explores the life of an Egyptian-American family

Khaled El Nabawy (born 1966)

This acclaimed Egyptian actor is known for his versatility and has appeared in several international productions.

• Kingdom of Heaven (2005): He had a role in the Ridley Scott epic alongside fellow Egyptian actor Khaled Abol Naga.

• The Citizen (2012): He starred in the indie American film

Khaled Abol Naga (born 1966)

A respected actor in the Middle East, Abol Naga has recently appeared in several English-language TV series.

• Vikings (2019): He made a notable guest appearance in the History Channel series.

• Tyrant (2016): He had a role in the FX television show

Egyptian-American Actors With Hollywood Success

Rami Malek (born 1981)

A first-generation Egyptian-American, Rami Malek is one of the most successful actors of Egyptian descent in Hollywood today.

• Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): His portrayal of Freddie Mercury earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, making him the first actor of Egyptian heritage to win the award.

• Mr. Robot (2015–2019): He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his starring role as Elliot Alderson.

• Oppenheimer (2023) and No Time to Die (2021): He has since starred in other high-profile projects

Mena Massoud (born 1991)

Born in Egypt and raised in Canada, Massoud broke out in a major way with a starring role in a Disney blockbuster.

• Aladdin (2019): He was cast as the lead in Disney's live-action remake, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide

May Calamawy (born 1986)

An Egyptian-Palestinian actress, Calamawy has gained significant attention for her roles in recent years.

• Moon Knight (2022): She played Layla El-Faouly in the Marvel series.

• Ramy (2019–2022): She also appeared in the Hulu series as Dena Hassan

Ramy Youssef (born 1991)

An Egyptian-American actor and comedian, Ramy Youssef created and starred in his own acclaimed series.

• Ramy (2019–2022): He won a Golden Globe for his role in the semi-autobiographical Hulu series, which offers a fresh perspective on a first-generation Arab-American's life

Sayed Badreya (born 1957)

After immigrating to the United States from Egypt, Badreya built a career with numerous supporting roles in major films.

• Iron Man (2008): He played the villainous arms dealer Abu Bakaar.

• The Dictator (2012): He played Sacha Baron Cohen's father