Ahmed Al-Attar: Pioneer of Environmental Journalism in the MENA Region Leaves Us
Nouha Belaid (PhD)
Science Journalist| Content Creator I Media relationsI Communication and Advocacy Strategist I Public Relations I Global media expert
The MENA Media Landscape trembled a week ago with the news of the passing of our colleague journalist, Ahmed Al-Attar, a knight of Egyptian journalism and a pioneer of environmental journalism in the MENA Region. This news deeply shocked the journalistic community, as many journalists expressed their profound sorrow for the loss of the deceased, sharing their condolences and sympathies on their personal social media accounts.
Ahmed Al-Attar was not just a prominent journalist in the Arab World but a true pioneer in environmental media and open-source investigations. His work left an indelible mark, illuminating ecological and climate issues and underscoring the challenges confronting the region and the world.
Al-Attar's journalistic style was not unique, but it was accessible to the public audience. He used simple language to demystify scientific texts, making them understandable to the average reader. His aim was not to provoke but to inform, making complex information accessible and understandable to a broad audience. This unwavering commitment to clear and straightforward communication was a testament to Al-Attar's dedication to his readers.
He worked for years as the editor-in-chief of "Al-Sabah" magazine and deputy editor-in-chief of "Rose al-Youssef" magazine before founding the Ozone platform , specializing in climate change issues in the Middle East after participating in the Guidance Center program for emerging media initiatives.
Al-Attar's career was defined by his unwavering dedication to climate journalism. He began by covering climate talks at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015 and continued his involvement in COP27 and COP28. When Egypt hosted COP27 in 2022, Al-Attar took the initiative to train and assist Arab journalists in understanding climate talks, a pressing topic in the Arab world amidst escalating environmental crises. His focus on the political aspect of climate negotiations, his extensive network of relationships, and the exclusive topics published on his website underscore his role as a mentor and leader in the field.
Al-Attar also worked as a consultant at the International Center for Journalists in Washington, ICFJ, and several international institutions, including the Emirati newspaper Al-Ain, where he was known for his keenness in selecting guests, asking precise and engaging questions that kept the reader interested until the end of the interview without boredom.
He joined the International Journalists Network in October 2018. He wrote numerous articles on environmental and investigative journalism and coverage of climate issues. He also conducted many training sessions on climate conference coverage in collaboration with the International Journalists Network and the International Center for Journalists forum.
Ahmed Al-Attar was a talented journalist. His professional career was decorated with several prominent awards, including the Arig Journalism Award in 2012, the Siemens German Award in 2016, and the Egyptian Journalism Award in 2015 and 2020. Beyond journalism, al-Attar excelled in investigative work in the environmental and climate fields, was proficient in data journalism, and had studied directing, making him an excellent photographer. His diverse background extended to drama, scriptwriting, and artistic critique, making him a rare find in the journalistic field with many skills and talents.
In short, Al-Attar was a valuable addition to the journalistic field in the MENA. His departure leaves a significant void, but his legacy will remain alive in our memories. His works will always be a source of inspiration for future generations.
What Did Colleagues Say About Ahmed Al-Attar?
Ahmed Al-Attar officially supported our community. I never had to ask him for help; it was always him reaching out to offer assistance, especially in times of crisis. Ahmed was committed to the success of all our projects. He never hesitated to share knowledge with all his colleagues without expecting anything in return. He hoped to see a new generation of science journalists take over because our world today greatly needs science journalism. He never hesitated to provide explanations, advice, guidance, and assistance.
I met Ahmed Al-Attar online, and we later communicated face-to-face. I was delighted to sit alongside his team during the COP28 conference and was happy to learn about his work. My brother Al-Attar was more eager than me to attend scientific conferences. He reminded me of conference dates when I forgot, seeing them as an opportunity to meet in real life. He was always ready to share information and provide speeches of participation. When asked about an Egyptian environmental journalist, Ahmed Al-Attar's name immediately came to mind. We will never forget you, Ahmed... Your name will remain engraved in the memory of science Journalism.
On November 3, 2022, we had our first session together discussing environmental challenges in the Arab world titled "What Do Journalists Think About Scientists' Opinions?". At that moment, I saw a journalist with high skills and a rich presence, and I was more focused on listening than on intervening and speaking during that session, in addition to the other speaking colleagues.?
Since then, I have been very interested in following him and reading his outstanding journalistic products in this field, which is one of the most skilled pioneers. Unfortunately, we didn't meet face-to-face, perhaps because of our busy lives, but I always felt he was a dear friend and a close brother. I was shocked by the news of his death, and I didn't rush to publish the news until I searched a lot, hoping to find it false, but it was God's will. May God have mercy on him and grant him the highest paradise. What pleased me amid my deep sorrow over the death of "Al-Attar" was the manifestations of love that I saw and heard about him from fellow journalists and senior professors in the research profession and how distinguished he was, and this is a fact, both on the human and social side, he was noble, brave, and a genuine son of the country. What "Al-Attar" proved and confirmed is the actual message, "and the impact remains."
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Ahmed Al-Attar was an idea, and ideas never die. In turbulent circumstances in Cairo in 2015, my phone rang from an unknown number, with a voice carrying pure kindness without prior knowledge or self-identification, saying, "A wonderful investigation worth publishing, well done, Ayman." Those words were engraved on my chest about an investigation that was confiscated from the published issue in the "Al-Watan" newspaper at that time; the caller was Professor Ahmed Shawky Al-Attar. We exchanged conversation quietly, which is not usual among economic journalists. Then, we met at the Conference of the Parties to the Climate (COP27) launch in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. Still, this time, I represented Al-Ain from the UAE.
The task was significant given the global event, and I needed more than my climate or scientific journalism experience. Still, I had to read to provide adequate and balanced coverage for the COP27 conference. What should I do amidst this galaxy of specialized journalists while I only have the language of numbers as an economic editor? The complications of the question suddenly vanished when I saw someone sitting in the blue area as if he were an information platform imparting knowledge to all COP27 participants. I didn't hesitate and headed towards his table, hoping to find my solution in a complex file like the climate file. I introduced myself, and he smiled; I asked about the reason for his smile, and his smile widened, and he said, "Don't you remember me?" I said no, so he calmly said, "I'm Al-Attar."
My memory quickly searched for the name, and through my phone, I found two names for Al-Attar; one of them was a climate journalist. The calm man asked if I remembered; I smiled this time, forgetting why I was in front of him. Our conversation was engaging, focusing on the economy and numbers at the COP events known as "COP." I asked Al-Attar, without introductions, to explain more so I could provide adequate coverage for COP27. Al-Attar asked to meet in the evening, and he was on time. We met in a session resembling a private lesson; the quiet man brought his papers and pen, and he started explaining, which continued for over two hours.
Those were the most important two hours in my career for two reasons. Firstly, how Al-Attar presented the climate file and practical journalism in straightforward capsules allowed me inside the Al-Ain to raise the ceiling of ambition to launch a platform specializing in climate called "Earth's Call." Secondly, friends are only found in the competitive journalism world with barriers. I gained a friend of a unique type, for since those two hours, Al-Attar did not spare "his fragrance and his career" effort in constant communication to reassure me and provide many updates on the climate file until official cooperation began between us within the Al-Ain before the start of COP28. It was a new beginning that was not inferior to the beginnings of acquaintance but the beginning of a unique work relationship.
Al-Attar participated in launching the first green space of the Earth's Call platform, laying the foundation stone for his ambitious plan to prepare for COP28, hosted by the UAE in December 2023. In Dubai, a deeper phase began in my relationship with Al-Attar, this time as a student and a teacher in a climate mission titled uniqueness, depth, and impact. Uniqueness, depth, and impact are always associated with Ahmed Shawky Al-Attar. My testimony here will undoubtedly be hurt because I am the student who owes half to the teacher, and this is a minor duty. For over 12 days in Dubai, between work, shopping, choosing new foods, and new tourist destinations, especially as it was Al-Attar's first visit to the city that never sleeps, we had experiences.
Al-Attar's experiences were always adorned with politeness, hope, positivity, vitality, advice, sacrifice, innovation, and a smile, even in the most extreme crises, and this is natural in such coverages. Al-Attar was the pivotal figure capable of turning a crisis into an opportunity, adversity into a gift, despair into hope, and humans into humanity. May the fragrant biography, rare ethics, and excessive humanity remain the hallmark of the knight of science journalism and the climate file. Rest in peace, my dear friend, and let your students' prayers never cease until they meet you, for you are a human phenomenon, and ideas never die.
In 2021, during a workshop on environmental and climate issues at the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, my colleague Nada Al-Badawi shared with me how Ahmed Al-Attar, the trainer, spoke highly of my first investigation, "Black Beaches," in the Egyptian and regional press focused on the environment.
?Despite not knowing each other initially, Ahmed recognized my work and considered me a standout in environmental investigative journalism. Our paths crossed at COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, where we met for the first time, leading to the establishment of the Environment and Climate Journalism Network in the Middle East and North Africa (ECJ) alongside Nada Al-Badawi and Rehab Abdel Mohsen.
Throughout our friendship and collaboration, Ahmed's guidance and support were invaluable. Despite occasional disagreements due to work commitments, our bond remained strong. Recently, as we planned to revamp the network, Ahmed continued to commend my work and capabilities. In a poignant final conversation before his passing, he offered heartfelt advice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships amidst professional challenges.
Ahmed's untimely death has left a profound impact, reshaping my perspective on life. His legacy in climate and environmental journalism will endure through our continued efforts. Farewell, Ahmed; your influence will always be remembered as we carry forward the mission you championed.
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