Abd al-Bari Atwan

Abd al-Bari Atwan

Infobox Person
name = Abd al-Bari Atwan


image_size =
caption =
birth_name = Abd al-Bari Atwan
birth_date = birth date and age|1950|2|17
birth_place = Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip
death_date =
death_place =
death_cause =
resting_place =
resting_place_coordinates =
residence = London, UK
nationality = British
other_names = Abdel Bari Atwan
known_for = Newspaper Editor-in-Chief
education =
employer = Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper
occupation = Journalist
title =
salary =
networth =
height =
weight =
term =
predecessor =
successor =
party =
boards =
religion = Sunni Muslim
spouse =
partner =
children =
parents =
relatives =


website = http://www.bariatwan.com
footnotes =

Abdel Bari Atwan ( _ar. عبد الباري عطوان) is the editor-in chief of the London-based pan-Arab newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi.

Personal and career background

He was born on February 17, 1950 in Dair Al-Balah, a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, two years after the creation of Israel. He was one of 11 children. After receiving his primary school education at the camp, his schooling was continued first in Jordan in 1967, and then in Cairo, Egypt.

In 1970 he entered Cairo University where he studied journalism and also received a diploma in English-Arabic translation. After his graduation he started work as a journalist, first with the "al-Balaagh" newspaper in Libya, then with "al-Madina" in Saudi Arabia. In 1978, he moved to London, where he has lived ever since, and assumed a job with "al-Sharq al-Awsat", a major Saudi-owned international daily. In 1980 he set up the London office of "al-Madina" and in 1984 returned to "al-Sharq al-Awsat".

In 1989, "al-Quds al-Arabi" was founded by expatriate Palestinians and Abd al-Bari Atwan was offered the job as editor-in-chief, which he has held since. The paper has as of 2007 grown into one of the major pan-Arab dailies, and is known for its strident Arab nationalism and defense of the Palestinian cause. It has been banned and censored repeatedly in several Arab countries for vocal criticism of what the paper alleges is their autocratic rule and excessive deference to Israel and the USA. As editor of "al-Quds al-Arabi", Abd al-Bari Atwan has become a well-known Arab public figure, and is a regular guest on Dateline London on BBC World, Sky News, Al Jazeera English and CNN World, as well as on several Arabic-language networks.

Bin Laden interview

In 1996 Abd al-Bari Atwan interviewed Usama bin Laden, said to be last Western journalist to do so. He had to travel through the mountains, dressed in Afghan clothing. He later called the experience his "most frightening trip". His impression of bin Laden was that he is "a phenomenon, extreme". [ [http://www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au/2007/files/pdf/InternationalBios.pdf Brisbane Writers' Festival September 2007] ] [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/waronterror/story/0,,591809,00.html Bari Atwan Guardian column on his interview] ] He stayed in the caves for four days, sleeping in primitive conditions in sub-zero temperatures. [Brisbane Writers Festival September 2007]

Political opinions

* In his book, "The Secret History of al-Qa'ida" Atwan states, "I do not endorse or in any way support al-Qa'ida's agenda" and "I utterly condemn the attacks on innocent citizens in the West". ["The Secret History of Al-Qa'ida", Abdel Bari Atwan, Abacus (2006), ISBN 978-0-34-912035-5, p1]

* During the 1990-91 Kuwait war, "al-Quds al-Arabi" gained some fame because of its outspoken opposition to the American-led attack. Though the paper did not approve of the Iraqi invasion and annexation of Kuwait, the UN-backed intervention was seen as intrusive and a meddling in Arab affairs.

* He expressed sympathy with Saddam Hussein's resistance to the US invasion of Iraq, commenting on the former president's execution that he "will go to the gallows with his head held high, because he built a strong united Iraq without sectarianism" [ [http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=yesterday26z29.htm&storytitle=ff%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A9%20%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B9%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A3%D8%B3fff Al-Quds Newspaper mourns the death of Saddam] ]

*On the fifth anniversary of the New York 9/11 attack Atwan opined: "The events of 11 September will be remembered as the end of the US empire. This is because all empires collapse when they pursue the arrogance of power." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5333812.stm Press blasts US foreign policy] , "BBC News website" 11 September 2006]

* In an interview with MBC TV on November 28, 2006 (as translated by MEMRI), Atwan stated that "If the Iranian missiles strike Israel – by Allah, I will go to Trafalgar Square, and dance with delight if the Iranian missiles strike Israel." [ [http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1506.htm Abd Al-Bari Atwan, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper: If Iranian Missiles Hit Israel, I Will Dance in Trafalgar Square] , MEMRI - Clip No. 1506, June 27, 2007.]

Brisbane visa affair

In a scheduled visit to the Brisbane Writers Festival in September 2007 Atwan's visa was reported as being blocked [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/asio-ban-on-terrorism-expert/2007/09/12/1189276810220.html Sydney Morning Herald: ASIO ban on terrorism expert] by David Marr, 13 September 2007] by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). Subsequently this turned out to be over-enthusiastic reporting. Mr Atwan had in fact only been delayed by ASIO for less than four weeks. ASIO is reported to have said "It is false to suggest it's anything to do with the media campaign or conspiracy theories, We had to seek some additional information. Dr Atwan's application was treated like everybody else's". [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/NATIONAL/Atwan-allowed-to-enter-Australia/2007/09/14/1189276950597.html Sydney Morning Herald: Atwan allowed to enter Australia] 14 September 2007. Australian Associated Press Pty Limited]

Books

* "The Secret History of Al-Qa'ida", Abdel Bari Atwan, Abacus (2006), ISBN 978-0-34-912035-5
* "A Country of Words: The Life of Abdel Bari Atwan: A Palestinian Journey from the Refugee Camp to the Front Page", Abdel Bari Atwan, SAQI (25 September 2008), ISBN 978-0-86-356621-9

References

Links

* [http://www.bariatwan.com Official Website]
* [http://www.alquds.co.uk AlQuds Newspaper]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Abd al-Bari Atwan — (Árabe: عبد الباري عطوان) es redactor jefe del diario árabe con sede en Londres Al Quds Al Arabi. Nació el 17 de febrero de 1950 en Dair Al Balah, un campo de refugiados palestino. Fue uno entre 11 hermanos. Después de recibir su educación… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Al-Quds Al-Arabi — ( ar. القدس العربی), (English: Arab Jerusalem ) is an independent pan Arab daily newspaper published in London since 1989. The paper is owned by Palestinian expatriates, and edited by Abd al Bari Atwan who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp… …   Wikipedia

  • Opinions on the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy — Jyllands–Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy Events and reactions Timeline Cartoon descriptions Akkari Laban dossier …   Wikipedia

  • Realitatea TV — Infobox TV channel name = Realitatea TV logofile = Realitatea TV Logo2007.png logosize = logoalt = launch = November,2001 closed date = picture format = owner = Realitatea Caţavencu slogan = News @ First Site country = ROU broadcast area =… …   Wikipedia

  • Saif al-Adel — Native name سيف العدل Born April 11, 1960/63[1] Egypt Other names Muhammad Ibrahim Makkawi Ibrahim al Madani …   Wikipedia

  • Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda link allegations timeline — The Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda timeline below list allegations of meetings, all but one now discounted, denied or disproven by the United States Government, between al Qaeda members and members of Saddam Hussein s government, as well as other… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste des articles concernant la Palestine — Projet:Palestine/Index Cet article est une liste référençant la Palestine. D autres articles peuvent être identifiés dans la catégorie correspondante Le but de cette page est de lister les articles de Wikipédia relatifs à la Palestine. Ainsi,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Projet:Palestine/Index — Le but de cette page est de lister les articles de Wikipédia relatifs à la Palestine. Ainsi, ceux et celles intéressés par le sujet peuvent suivre les changements récents en cliquant « Suivi des liens ». Cette liste n est pas… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Dubaï (émirat) — 25° 15′ 57″ N 55° 17′ 29″ E / 25.2658, 55.2915 …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”