Ahmed Hassanein Pasha
Ahmed Mohammed Makhlouf Hassanein Pasha was a close confidant of King Farouk of Egypt. Born on November 31, 1889, he was the son of the esteemed Al-Azhar scholar, Mohammed Hassanein. His grandfather, Ahmed Hassanein, was nicknamed the “Prince of Merchants.” His father enjoyed a close friendship with Khedive Abbas and later with Sultan Hussein Kamel. When King Fuad ascended to the throne of Egypt, Ahmed’s father secured a scholarship for his only son, enabling Ahmed to enroll in one of the prestigious British universities. He graduated from Oxford University and subsequently held various positions throughout his career. This article explores key details of his life.
Positions Held by Ahmed Hassanein Pasha
In 1920, Ahmed Hassanein Pasha served as an assistant to the Minister of Interior. By 1924, he was appointed as a negotiator for Italy regarding the western borders. In the same year, he became a confidant of King Farouk. His career progressed in 1935 when he was assigned as an aide to the Crown Prince, King Farouk. He later worked within the Royal Diwan under King Farouk in 1940.
Ahmed Hassanein Pasha’s Social Life
Ahmed Hassanein Pasha married Latifa Hanem, the daughter of Shawikar Hanem, who was formerly married to King Fuad. Together, they had two sons: Hisham, who went on to become an officer in the Egyptian army, and Tarek, who eventually became a businessman.
Discoveries of Ahmed Hassanein Pasha
Renowned for his passion for exploration and adventure, Ahmed Hassanein Pasha journeyed to the western desert of Libya and Egypt in 1920 with Englishwoman Rosita Norris. During this expedition, he discovered the Arknu and El-Owainat oases. For these achievements, he was awarded the Gold Medal by the Geographical Society of the United States and honored with the title of Great Explorer by the British Society.
Hobbies of Ahmed Hassanein Pasha
Ahmed Hassanein Pasha was also recognized as a prominent Egyptian athlete in fencing. He represented the Arab world at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 but was unfortunately eliminated in the preliminary rounds. This outcome concerned Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik, especially since he had challenged him to compete. Hassanein also led the Egyptian team at the 1920 Olympics in Brussels and served as the president of both the Royal Fencing Club and Al Ahly Sporting Club. He was noted for his remarkable intelligence and keen attention to his appearance and elegance.
The Tragic Death of Ahmed Hassanein Pasha
On February 19, 1946, at approximately 3 PM, Ahmed Hassanein left Abdeen Palace and was heading to his car for the journey home to Dokki. As he crossed the Kasr El-Nil Bridge, his vehicle was abruptly struck by another car belonging to the British military, causing a severe impact. Startled, Ahmed uttered, “Oh God, oh God,” only to be confronted by a second vehicle that collided with him. At that moment, he had slightly bent forward, leading to a nosebleed. Ahmed Abdel Ghaffar happened to be passing by and rushed him to the hospital; however, he sadly succumbed to his injuries there. His body was later transported from the hospital to his home, where funeral prayers were held before he was laid to rest in Dokki cemetery.