Prince Muhammad Ali, descendant of Egypt’s last king, returns from Paris to restore his family’s legacy. His journey is marked by a quest for identity as he navigates challenges surrounding his nationality. With a growing fascination for royal history among Egyptians, he aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the monarchy, emphasizing reconciliation and remembrance.
Prince Muhammad Ali, grandson of deposed King Farouk, has transitioned from a comfortable existence in Paris to return to Egypt, fulfilling a long-held aspiration to restore his family’s legacy. Embracing his return to the homeland lost due to a military coup in 1952, he emphasized his joy at being in a place that now symbolizes a “regained homeland.” Though he champions reconciliation between royalist and republican segments of Egypt, he maintains that he possesses no political aspirations.
At 46 years of age, the businessman’s quiet return was influenced by his spouse, princess Noal Zaher, from Afghanistan’s exiled royal family. His connection to Egypt is even more profound given he was born there, yet he faced a considerable delay before acquiring his Egyptian passport in 2020. This delay stemmed from his father Fuad II’s wishes for him to be born on Egyptian soil during the family’s exile, facilitated discreetly through diplomatic channels.
Muhammad Ali recounted that upon wishing to register his twin children, he discovered he lacked documented proof of his nationality, which shocked him given his father’s royal status. This impediment stems from his father having been king during infancy before the monarchy’s abolition. In a shift from the past, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recognized Fuad II’s title by granting him a diplomatic passport in 2014, reflecting a change in the perception of Egypt’s monarchical history.
Born with French citizenship from his mother, Fadila, and later granted Monegasque nationality, Muhammad Ali’s journey back to Egypt has been rooted in reconnecting with his heritage. In recent years, a growing interest among young Egyptians in their royal past has emerged, renewing dialogues about the monarchy that had been largely omitted from historical narratives. He expressed that his family had always envisioned returning to Egypt, and after discussions with his wife, he felt it was time to make this long-awaited move.
Now residing in Cairo, Muhammad Ali is dedicated to enhancing his Arabic and committed to preserving the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Egyptian royal family, underscoring the importance of honoring their 150 years of history.
Prince Muhammad Ali’s return to Egypt marks a significant personal journey to restore his family’s legacy, reflecting a broader rekindled interest in Egypt’s royal history. While he embraces this opportunity, he intentionally distances himself from political aspirations, focusing on cultural preservation instead. His experience highlights the complexities surrounding identity and heritage within a modern Egyptian context.
Original Source: www.purdueexponent.org
