The Rise and The Fall of Dr. Zahi Hawass
Dr. Zahi Hawass, the voice and the face of Egyptian archaeology, a former Minister of Antiquities, is the world’s most celebrated archaeologist, the Indian John of American media hype. Dr. Hawass, however, is a controversial figure, an ethnocentric, no one speaks but him, no documentary about Egyptian antiquities without him. For him, Egyptian ancient history is a personal property, antiquities are a matter of inspiration rather than revelation or discovery. Dr. Hawass is on US/Canada Grand Lecture Tour, May -August and coming to Minnesota on Jun 30th.
Lots of talks and debates on Dr. Hawass after appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast on ancient Egypt aired on May 14, and was viewed by over a million people on YouTube., the Egyptian King, looks confused, shaky, contradictory, defensive, and eccentric, “he discovered everything,” later Joe said sarcastically; and when it comes to basic questions like who build the pyramids, or moved the giant stones 800 miles from southern Egypt, his answers usually starts with I; I found it, or I wrote it, … “in my book, … on my computer,… in Las Vegas”. Dr. Hawas, who is not accustomed to public challenges, doesn’t speak as a scientist or expert but as a public figure, a storyteller, and we should all take his word for it, for Hawass’s world, new technology stands no chance. Joe Rogan, a popular podcaster, is used to media hype and pseudo-science theories. The interview turned into a fiasco, a media circus where we didn’t learn anything, Joe admitted that it was the worst interview he’s ever had, and Dr. Hawass described Joe as being ignorant and having his own agenda. I interviewed Dr. Hawas when the Minnesota Science Museum had King Tut Tour, one of its largest exhibits ever, they claimed. The King Tut Show was coming after Egypt, just had a revolution that toppled 30 years of Mubarak’s dictatorship. I went to see the exhibit I spotted on the front of the Science Museum building, a live side poster of Dr. Hawass, the American Indiana Jones, with his famous cowboy hat, a picture of Suzanne Mubarak (ex-First Lady), with a disclaimer that claims, “all funds generated from the exhibit will be given to Suzanne Mubarak foundation”. Have the folks at MN Science Museum heard of the Egyptian revolution and the Arab Spring, haven’t they realized that Dr. Hawass and Miss Mubarak were allegedly accused of looting Egyptian treasure and wealth, Miss Mubarak herself had to give back $25m that was donated to the Alexandra library by the international community that she pocketed into her account to be let go out of jail. Dr. Hawass was allegedly accused of using his close association with the Mubarak family to accumulate wealth and fame. According to lots of Egyptians, Dr. Hawass is a corrupt official, and opportunistic, as FP magazine reported, “ In a separate scandal, several Egyptian publications are claiming that Hawass used priceless artifacts in the Egyptian museum’s collection for a photoshoot to promote his fashion line. The photos, seen here, show a model appearing to sit in Tutankhamun’s chair and leaning on frescoes”. There was a revolution in Egypt where millions of Egyptians went to the streets, and put their lives on the line to rid Egypt of 30 30-year Mubarak dictatorial rotten regime, and here is the MN Science Museum in alliance with National Geographic bringing them back painful memories. I sent a letter to the Science Museum PR department bringing their attention to this clausal misjudgment. They kindly and promptly responded and assured me they were working on changing the sign and the names. The Tahrir Square spirit toppled the Mubarak of Egypt, we need to topple the Mubarak of Egyptian antiquities. I called on all Egyptians and freedom lovers for protest rally during his presentation, lots of people contacted Sconce Museum to ask to cancel the Mubarak of Antiquities presentation, there I called on MN Science Museum and National Geographic to bring Tahrir’s spirit to their Exhibit and give the same attention and respect they give to dead Egyptians to the new Egypt and live Egyptians. I received the first call from Dr. Hawass. he was very generous and personal. He called a total of 4/5 times that day, asking to cancel the rally; “ We are doing all these for Egypt, Dr. Ahmed” he mused. I informed him that people in the community are concerned about Mis Mubarak representing the King Tut exhibit. “ What can I do for you, Dr. Ahmed?”. He pleaded,” … Dr. Ahmed (I’m not a doctor), I could give you VIP tickets to you and your friend to come to my lecture, “ he offered as if he had done this numerous times. I explained to him that I couldn’t take these tickets. I asked him if he was willing to have a one-on-one interview and explain himself to the community; he hesitated a bit and then reluctantly accepted. We agreed to meet at the Fitzgerald Theater, where he is speaking that night. The security there was unprecedented, both inside and outside the theater. Mark Leach, Senior Vice President of Arts & Exhibitions International, introduced himself; he was edgy and nervous, and took me to a backstage greenroom. Dr. Hawass came a few minutes later; he was dressed up, energetic, and enthusiastic. greeted me with a warm smile and a hug as if we were old friends. I conducted my interview while two security guards stood by the door, a security protocol for a foreign dignitary, Dr. Hawass was Egypt’s Minister of Antiquity at the time. Dr. Hawass was controversial, pompous, and contradictory, his use of English still limiting, he uses language that is at times inappropriate, something like “Those Ass whole, and Shit in, the interview is posted entirely on my YouTube channel, we talked about why he is a rock star in America, but a controversial man back in Egypt, lots of allegation of corruptions and embezzlements..
_ “All rumors from this Coptic (Christian) man who hated me,” he explained nervously, “ _
_Just one Man” as followed up
_ Yes … not realizing the irony!!
I asked him why he is the only one who speaks about Egyptian antiquities; could you train anyone else in the future..
_ I tried to train young spook men there, but they couldn’t do it;
_God gave me a special gift,… he said it as if it were a fact.
later I went to listen to his lecture, the theater was full, he was introduced as a rock star, people were fascinated by his entertaining style, kids adored him, his grandiose, self-promoting is astonishing, the 1:30 Hour presentation was mostly about him, his discoveries, and his celebrity friends… that night, the 3000 old King Tut was overshadowed by the New King…. Zahi Hawass.
Ahmed Tharwat/ public speaker, Host
Arab American TV show
BeAlhdan
Follow Him on X/ahmediaTV
… telling our stories..
