Today, Friday, 3-4-2020, marks the death anniversary of Ali Amin, one of Egypt's journalism giants, and founders of Egypt’s oldest weekly newspapers "Akhbar Al-Youm"(Today's News).
Ali and his twin brother Mustafa were born on February 21, 1914. They founded "Akhbar Al-Youm", and was dubbed as the fathers of modern Arab journalism.
They were born in Cairo where their father was a lawyer and the mother, a niece of Saad Zaghloul, a prominent lawyer and politician, who founded the liberal nationalist Wafd Party, and Egypt’s served as Prime Minister of in 1922.
The press was the first love for twins, who kicked off their career at an early age. They presented together with magazine "Al Hokook" (Rights) at the age of eight.
In 1928, they produced publication, "El Tilmeez" (student) magazine at the age of 14, but it was soon suspended for attacking the government and criticizing their policies, which was followed by the publication of "Al-Aqalam" magazine, which received the same destiny.
In 1930, Mustafa joined "Rose Al-Youssef" magazine, and a year later he was appointed deputy editor in chief, while he was still a high school student.
He studied at the American University in Cairo and at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Mustafa achieved a lot of success in the field of journalism and the magazine held its first fixed section, by the title of "No, Sheikh," then moved to work in "Akher Saa" (Last Hour) weekly magazine. He served as editor-in-chief of "Akher Saa" for a year before moving to "Al-Ahram" (The Pyramids), one of the oldest daily newspapers in Egypt and the Middle East.
During the 1940's, Mustafa served as a reporter and columnist. In 1944 he left his post as an editor at "El-ethnin"(Monday) magazine after he and his brother founded Akhbar Al-Youm.
In 1944, they launched "Akhbar Al-Youm", and which was a fulfilled dream for the twins who began to wish it following the resignation of Mustafa from "El-ethnin", as he desired to own a press house that follows the style of the European press role.
On November 11, they released its first issue, which achieved a huge success.
In 1952, they were producing the five of the leading news publications in Egypt, prior to the nationalization of the Egyptian press by Nasser in 1960.
In 1976, Mustafa focused more on his widely syndicated daily column "Fikra" (An Idea), which Ali has started in 1952.
In addition to his journalism career, Mustafa published autobiography books, several novels, and film scripts, as well as gave lectures at the Cairo University and the American University of Cairo.
The twins are also noted for founding "Lailat al-Qadar"charity, which raised millions from donations for the payment of medical expenses as well as provided business assistance for the poor, and for encouraging the public to celebrate Mother's Day in Egypt.
He continued writing up until his death on April 13, 1997, to join his twin, who passed away in 1976.
Mustafa departed from the world at the age of 83 and left behind his wife, and two daughters, “Ratiba”, whom he named after his mother, and “Safia” who was named after the name of Safia Zaghloul, who he considered her as his second mother where he grew up and was raised along with his brother in her house, “The House of the Nation.”
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