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Wednesday, May 20, 1998
It gives me pleasure to visit, for the first time, the Arab World Institute, the great edifice of Arab culture in the heart of Paris, realized in this form by the joint France-Arab efforts, to personify the genuine Arab culture as in its characteristic architectural feature which makes a blend with the sublime French taste and the charming nature on the shores of the Seine. Your institute has succeeded to pave a scientific clear way and occupy a prominent place among the European academies and institutions of glorified history; it could take advantage of the European fondness of the history and rich civilization of the Orient - the Egyptian on top, to extend bridges of rapprochement and association between Arab and European communities, finally producing a creative human pattern for dialogue among these cultures in a rational context which combines traditionalism with contemporarily without any contradiction nor inconsistency. The diversity and multiplicity of the Institutes activities in the fields of arts, cultures and sciences which explore the civilization of the Arabs, their glorious history and promising present , have no doubt substantially contributed to acquainting European nationals in general and French Nationalists in particular, with the real civilizations Arab image and succeeded in providing them with a deep and authentic knowledge of Arab thought in a way which has essentially added to the efforts aiming at the rectification of the centuries - accumulated- vision in the European mind, confined to the fondness of the legends and charm of the Orient. Finally, I wish to express my thanks to Mr. Kamil Kabana , Chairman of the Institute for welcoming and presenting us this medal of which we will remain proud as a souvenir of this cultural Institution which has succeeded in the creation of a top-level cultural gathering for the Arab countries in the civil Capital, and in an ambiance reflecting the profound Franco- Arab relations. Egypt, which is proud of its past and heritage, and earnestly anticipating the horizons of a promising , full-of- hope future, is interested in the continuance of the Institute’s successful message as a mirror reflecting the genuine image of the healthy interaction among civilizations. We are very keen to confirm our determination as to maintain cooperation with this Institute and support its activities. |
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