Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour… A Medal on the Chest of Friendship and the Nation By: Hossam Badrawi

Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour… A Medal on the Chest of Friendship and the Nation
By: Hossam Badrawi

I had the honor of attending a reception hosted by the French Ambassador to Egypt and his wife, during which my friend, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, was awarded the rank of Commander in the French National Order of the Legion of Honour, in the presence of a distinguished group of his friends and prominent Egyptian and international figures, on Monday, June 2, 2025.

I take this opportunity to write about Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, and to express my pride in him—a true Egyptian patriot and a significant contributor to the political, social, and economic life of Egypt.

I say this:
It is not only Mounir Abdel Nour who is being honored today, but also a rare value in politics, culture, and public life: the value of a person who does not change when times do, who never compromises on principles, even if the ground trembles beneath his feet.

I write about a friend I have known for over forty years. We shared many stages that shaped both our public and personal consciousness, and that tested the true nature of men. Mounir has always remained true to himself, firm in his convictions, balanced in his emotions, passionate about freedom, committed to democracy, and deeply rooted in the values of justice and human dignity.

We worked together in the “New Call Association” in the 1990s—an initiative that brought us together around a shared hope of building a nation worthy of its people. We then ran together in the 2000 elections, entering parliament in a unique experience, each of us carrying a different key to Egypt’s development, but united by one door: genuine reform built on respect for human dignity.

During the seven years we spent together on the National Council for Human Rights, Mounir grew even closer to my heart. I witnessed how he combines moral firmness with human flexibility, how he balances the intellectual with the political, and how he merges eloquent speech with a relentless defense of freedom.

Mounir Abdel Nour is not just a politician; he is a shining face of modern civil Egypt—a Copt who is open-minded and deeply Egyptian to the core. He was never part of sectarianism; rather, he has always been a bridge between identities and a vigilant conscience in times of crisis.

After the Arab Spring and during the turbulent years when Egypt was torn by changes and divisions, Mounir remained a light in the darkness. Our friendship remained strong, and we continued to serve the country—sometimes from different positions, but always with one heart beating with hope and loyalty.

The French medal awarded to him today is an international recognition of a man who loved Egypt, defended her, and represented her on global platforms in multiple languages but with one set of values.

In my view, Mounir Abdel Nour is one of the few who successfully combine political integrity, economic vision, and deep human sensitivity. A man who, when you disagree with him, you respect him even more—and when you agree with him, you find yourself drawing closer to a unique human light.

Let this medal be a crowning of a journey, a motivation to continue, and a message of appreciation for a national voice that does not waver—but grows, influences, and inspires.

Congratulations, my friend… You have honored us, just as you have honored yourself and your family.