SIR,—As an Egyptian I was naturally interested in the recent
correspondence headed 'The Despised.' Frankly I was more amused than hurt because my fellow countrymen are not likely to lose much sleep over the fact that Mr. Pickard and Co. regard them as inferior, and I should have thought that the latest series of events would have taught such people wisdom.
It is known that a feeling of superiority is some- times symptomatic of an inferiority complex; it is also obvious that inferiority is a quality of many dimensions. Whilst Egyptians do not necessarily feel superior, they are happy to think that their civilisation covers at least 6,000 years of recorded history! They may be forgiven if 'at no time during the last hundred years' they 'contributed anything of value to the world.' However, this could account for their desire to encl the British occupation which endured for the past eighty years or so.
, I was shocked by the display of ignorance and confusion on the part of some of your corre- spondents; one is almost tempted to say 'thus wisest men admire what foolcs despiseth!' But I am glad
to note that Mr. Murphy and Miss Moorman have answered most of the important points raised.
When I read Mr. Jesman's first letter I thought it was generally sound although it contained errors of fact and judgement. His opinion of the intelligence and integrity of both King Farouk and the present rulers is hardly tenable. The question of club mem- bership seems to have aroused more comment than ir deserves : it should be emphasised that Egyptian patriots did not particularly wish to associate them- selves with those who occupied their country. May I recall the national jubilation that followed the assassination of the late Amin Osman Pasha in 1945, his only crime being that he was ardently pro- British?
I happen to be a member of a dwindling group of Egyptians who still think that friendship with the West is both possible and desirable; but it is clear that the kind of arrogance one meets with among some sections of the British people is simply the outcome of ignorance. Let us hope, therefore, before it is too late that they will learn to appreciate with humility the significance of others besides themselves in the history and civilisation of the world.—Yours
15 Endsleigh Street, WC I
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