In the previous article, we continued tackling Dr. Yehya al-Gamal’s biography and ideology. We spoke of his great love for Egypt, deep belief in democracy which he had always endorsed in his writings and stances, as well as his true love for reposed Pope Shenouda III. In fact, the two men’s relation grew stronger after Dr. al-Gamal had presided the Pope’s defense committee when Sadat issued a decree that annulled the Pope election patriarch of Alexandria.
Dr. al-Gamal took pride in the mutual love between him and Pope Shenouda III. So much so that he used to say, “I do take pride in my good relation and, even more, deep affection for Pope Shenouda which everybody is aware of.” Both men loved poetry and reading which constituted that secret tie between them, which is why Dr. al-Gamal said, “Apart from his religious stature, the Pope was a man of letters. He was too witty for a man of his age and concerns.” Dr. Yehya al-Gamal speaks of how deep their admiration was for “An Unjust Village”, saying, “This was a book by late Dr. Mohammed Kamel Hussein. It was about Christ’s last days. I do vouch I never read a book so wonderful like this neither in Arabic, English or French. His Holiness also admired it exceedingly. Yet, most important is that when bookstores ran out of it, and before issuing the second edition, his Holiness gave me an extra copy he had.”
Moreover, there were many human situations that tied the two men, which stuck to Dr. al-Gamal’s mind. He spoke of them several times, especially what happened when was operated on. At that time, his Holiness was in the U.S. for medical investigations. Yet, no sooner had he known of Dr. al-Gamal’s hospitalization, than he hurried to visit him, having had left returned home. This affected Dr. al-Gamal exceedingly. He describes the visit, saying, “When the Pope returned from the U.S. and got to know I was in hospital, he came to visit and bless me. I was happy, surprised, and impressed when a high-ranking official entered my room and told me, ‘We were informed that his Holiness cortege is on the way to visit you!’ How historic! It was also a gesture of kindness which I shall always cherish and remember. I also keep the photos of this visit which did alleviate my illness.”
Moreover, Dr. al-Gamal expressed in his articles how deeply saddened he was for the Pope’s departure. He writes, “I still recall the day of his departure: I stood on the amphitheatre and hugged him. I was all tearful. I believe I was one of the last to talk to his Holiness. I called bishop Ermea on Thursday night, just two days before his departure, to inquire after his health. But bishop Ermea gave him the handset. I said, “I am inquiring after your Holiness’ health. I do wish you and Egypt all the best.’ He replied, ‘I send you my love and prayers.’ These were his Holiness last words to me, and, probably, the last ones altogether. I believe Egypt never loved or bade farewell any of her beloved children in like manner she did Nasser or Pope Shenouda.”
Love for Everybody
Dr. Yehya al-Gamal was full of love for everybody: for he believed in love and fraternity amongst Egyptians, rejecting all sorts of abuse for anybody. In an article entitled, “How Great Egyptians Are!” he wrote about the greatness of the simple Egyptians whose warm feelings tie. Thus, they share sadness and happiness, strengthen one another regardless of creed, gender, or ethnicity. Egyptians are a kind people. When the massacre of the Two Saints Church occurred, he wrote, “Verily, the Egyptians are a civilized people. They are truly great. What inspired me to pen these words was the warmth I saw on the occasion of the massacre of the Two Saints Church: a wonderful, civilized scene. Christians and Muslims assembled at the church’s door and inside it, strengthening one another. I saw veiled Muslim ladies carrying lit candles, expressing their feelings toward their sisters: feelings of love on compassionate faces.”
Then, he describes the affection which Egyptians have for one another, saying, “There is a mosque opposite the church. I found some ribbons tying the church and the mosque. What a lovely scene! How expressive it is of the love and friendliness of Egyptians, no matter what their creeds are!”
Dr. al-Gamal had always been frank and sincere, which is why he expressed how much he rejected extremism and terrorism: “The incidents which occur nowadays are but part and parcel of extremism, and ignorance, or, probably a backward movement toward outlandishness, which is not characteristic of the Egyptians’ psychology. In fact, should one roam in forts and villages, one cannot differentiate between one Egyptian and the other.”
On the humanistic level, Yehya al-Gamal was pretty mature, even as a youngster. Additionally, he was quite sensitive. He was reared by his grandmother who mothered him as a child. His first memories of her were expressed after her death, having loved her exceedingly and lost a great then: “He used to hear she was his grandmother; yet he had no mother but her. She mothered him as an infant, and they lived together in a village near Beheira where he was overwhelmed by her love.” After her death, he started a new life which he knew nothing about. He wrote, “He started his new life a lost soul. He knew deep down that he will always and forever gasp for that love.”
Maybe, as a child, he used to vent his sadness through education in which he outstood his colleagues. He was quite intelligent. “The little boy was then admitted to the Quran-recitation school (kuttab). He plunged into it, only to outstand the rest of his colleagues…” Later, he started to open up to the outside world through reading news and other things. At that time, he started sensing the love of his paternal grandparents, whereby, “He admired his grandparents exceedingly. He also loved them very much. In return, they loved and cherished him a lot.” What a story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
