Remembering National Leader Mohamed Farid

Today ( Nov.5) marks the death anniversary of Mohammed Farid, one of the leaders of the 20th-century National Movement in Egypt. 

Farid was born in Cairo in 1868, and he took over the leadership of the National Party after Mustafa Kamel. The National Party was the country's first political party and it played a crucial role in creating national awareness and advocating for Egypt's independence and freedom.

Farid used his cultural and oratorical skills to defend his country's cause. He realized that it was necessary to bring the Egyptian Question to the attention of European people in order to pressure Britain to end its occupation of Egypt and stop its policy of despotism. 

In 1909, he organized an international conference in Brussels that was attended by politicians and leaders from Europe, India, the Middle East and the Far East. He highlighted Egypt's situation and its right to freedom and independence.

However, the pro-British government put Farid on trial on false accusations and sentenced him to six months in prison. When he returned, he refused to seek a royal pardon, arguing that the whole country was behind bars. Farid established Egypt's first trade union in 1909 and called for boycotting the government. His efforts resulted in demands for the evacuation of British forces and for an Egyptian constitution.

In 1912, the government put Farid on trial again for publicly demanding British evacuation, a constitution, and improvements to the living conditions of workers and farmers. 

He was tried in absentia and sentenced to one-year imprisonment. However, he fled to Europe where he continued to defend his country's causes.