Bringing together all my published work since the year 2000 in one place—SouthPush.com—has been a long-delayed and often uneasy decision. This blog is more than just an archive; it is the outcome of years of journalism, academic inquiry, and critical engagement with the world. It reflects not only what I’ve written but how I’ve grown. It includes moments I’m proud of, and others I have outgrown or view with discomfort. What pushed me to finally do this was the realisation that this collection could serve not merely as a repository of work, but as a visible trace of a learning journey—an evolving path toward intellectual independence. I owe deep thanks to the many individuals and institutions who have supported, challenged, and shaped me along the way.
Special Acknowledgements and Notes
- I acknowledge the numerous editors, publishers, and media organisations that have commissioned, published, and disseminated my work over the years. Their platforms have provided essential spaces for critical thought and public discourse.
- My academic research and essays have benefited from the rigorous intellectual environments of the institutions I have been affiliated with – Damietta University, The American University in Cairo, Ghent University, and the University of Leuven (KUL). I extend my appreciation to colleagues, mentors, and students who have engaged with my work and enriched my perspectives.
- It took several years before I finally decided to bring all my work together in one place—this blog. I was often uneasy about sharing my early writings, many of which I might now fundamentally disagree with. Some of that work was underdeveloped, lacked authenticity, or was simply poorly written.
- A number of early articles were inadequately cited and might even be perceived as bordering on plagiarism—something that was never intended. Others come across as overly confident or pompously opinionated. These concerns contributed to my hesitation and the long delay before undertaking the exhausting task of compiling all my publications in one archive.
- What eventually changed my mind was the realisation that this archive need not be seen merely as a chronological record of published work, but rather as a reflection of an ongoing intellectual journey. It documents the path of someone who, since his teenage years, has aspired to evolve into an independent thinker—navigating doubt, struggle, and growth. I now look back and often disagree with parts of what I wrote, but I also smile at my younger self and say, “Don’t worry, I know how far you’ve come, and I know it wasn’t easy.” I ask that you kindly accept my sincere apologies for early work that lacked rigour, authenticity, or proper academic standards. It is all part of a learning curve I chose not to hide, but to honour as a necessary part of becoming who I am today—and who I still strive to become.
- Almost all articles written prior to 2025 were published in a single language—either Arabic or English. To reach a broader audience, all articles on this blog have since been translated into the other language using AI.
- Some of my articles—particularly those published before the proliferation of online journalism—appeared only in print, and in certain cases, I no longer have access to their final published versions. In such instances, I have used AI for minimal copy-editing of the original written manuscript that I kept safe from that period.
- Some of the archival articles I wrote—mostly published in print and to which I no longer have access—lack a clear publication date. In a few such cases, I have used the MS Word document creation date as the publication date, believing the discrepancy to be minimal. However, for manuscripts where I doubted the accuracy of the MS Word creation date, I relied on my own memory to determine the likely year and month of publication, and designated the first day of that month as the publication date.
- The engagement of readers—through feedback, critiques, discussions, and even, at times, aggression—has been instrumental in shaping my writing and research. I deeply value those who have followed my work over the years, whether in print, digital media, or academic circles.
- I am grateful to fellow journalists, academics, and intellectuals with whom I have collaborated, debated, and exchanged ideas. Their insights and challenges have pushed my work forward.
- Behind every published piece is the support of friends and close confidants who have provided encouragement, critical feedback, and solidarity in moments of doubt or adversity.
- Finally, I acknowledge the broader media and cultural contexts that have inspired and shaped my writing. Despite all the challenges, the ever-evolving socio-political international landscape across several countries continues to provide both the urgency and necessity for critical engagement and documentation.
This archive stands as both a record and an ongoing dialogue—one that I hope will remain a resource for critical thought, historical reference, and intellectual engagement.