Gameela Ismail

Gameela Ismail (Arabic: جميله اسماعيل ) is an Egyptian politician, activist, and former television presenter. She was actively involved in calling for and participating in the January 25 Revolution.

Background, education, and family life

Ismail was born April 6, 1966, in Cairo. She graduated from the Gezirah Language School and then from Cairo University's Faculty of Mass Communication in 1986.[1]

Ismail was formerly married to politician Ayman Nour.[2] They have two sons.

Throughout her career, Ismail has worked as an advocate for human and women's rights, as a television presenter for Egyptian state television, as a stringer for Newsweek, and as a media spokesperson.

Career and Political Involvement Before January 25, 2011

Throughout her career, Ismail worked as an advocate for human, civil, and women's rights, as a television presenter for Egyptian state television and later for independent satellite channel Al-Nahar, as a stringer for Newsweek, and as a media spokesperson.

In 2001, Ismail lost a race for a seat in the Shura Council, the upper house of Egypt's bicameral parliament, to incumbent Mohammed Ragab, a member of the then-ruling National Democratic Party.[3] She challenged him again in 2007.[4]

In 2004, Ismail helped then-husband Ayman Nour found the liberal Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Party, which at the time was the first new liberal party to be created in nearly 50 years. Ismail spearheaded Nour's presidential bid in 2005 in Egypt's first multi-candidate presidential election.[5] She served as vice-president of Al-Ghad Party[6] and remained a member until 2012, when she left to help found Al-Dostour Party.

In 2010 Ismail ran as an independent in elections for the People's Assembly, the lower house of parliament, against the NDP incumbent. She lost the race.

Involvement in the January 25 Revolution

Gameela Ismail was among the activist who called for demonstrations on January 25, 2011. She was an active participant in the mass demonstrations that began on January 25.

In August 2014, Mubarak-era Interior Minister Habib al-Adly accused Ismail and others of "setting police stations ablaze with Molotov cocktails" during the 18-day uprising.[7]

After January 25

In November 2011, Ismail again ran for parliament as an independent in Egypt's first post-revolution elections.[8] She claims she received nearly 30,000 votes, coming in less than 100 votes behind the candidates for the Freedom and Justice Party, and those of Egyptian Bloc.[9]

After the revolution, Ismail founded the Egyptian Women for Change.[10] She also became a member of Madaneya movement for protection of the civil state and Al-Dostour (Constitution) Party, which she helped to found. In 2013 Ismail served as Al-Dostour's secretary, appointed by party leader and former IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei.[11][12]

She also participated in the June 30, 2013 demonstrations.[13]

Awards and Recognition

In 2011 Ismail was named one of 150 ‘Women who shake the World’ by Newsweek.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "About Gameela Ismail". Gameela Ismail. Gameela Ismail. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  2. ↑ Assir, Serene (2014). "Gameela Ismail: Bringing Protest to Parliament | Al Akhbar English". english.al-akhbar.com. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Gameela Ismail". Isqat Al Nizam. American University in Cairo. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Essam el-Din, Gamal (7–13 June 2007). "Shura scramble" (848). Al-Ahram. Al-Ahram Weekly. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Assir, Serene. "Gameela Ismail: Bringing Protest to Parliament". Al Akhbar English. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Gameela Ismail". Masress. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Adly presses charges against Jan 25 activists for burning police stations". Mada Masr. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  8. ↑ Assir, Serene. "Gameela Ismail: Bringing Protest to Parliament". Al Akhbar English. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "About Gameela Ismail". Gameela Ismail. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Connor, Molloy. "Prepping for round two". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  11. ↑ Aboulenein, Ahmed. "Al-Dostour Approves Gameela Ismail's Internal Restructuring Plan". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "Gamila Ismail appointed organisational chief of Egypt's Constitution Party". Al-Ahram. Ahram Online. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Gameela Ismail". The Cairo Post. The Cairo Post. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "150 Women Who Shake The World". Newsweek. Newsweek. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.