The BA Mourns Dr. Moufid Shehab, former Minister of Higher Education
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With a heavy heart, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina mourns the loss of Dr. Moufid Shehab, former Minister of Higher Education, Member of the Library’s Board of Trustees, Chairman of its Executive Committee, and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Library’s International Prize, who passed away today, 15 February 2026. Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, on behalf of the Library's management and staff, extends his sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
Dr. Moufid Shehab was one of the most prominent international law experts in Egypt and the Arab world. He was a member of the national committee formed to reclaim Taba, whose work was crowned with success when the historic ruling on the Egyptian sovereignty over Taba was issued in September 1988.
He held several prominent positions, including President of Cairo University, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. He was also involved in parliamentary work for several terms.
Dr. Shehab contributed to the Arab library with a number of prominent legal works, including The New Law of the Sea and Arab Interests, The Arab League... An Analytical Study of its Charter and Achievements, and Public International Law, among others. He co-supervised more than 50 doctoral theses in international law in Egypt, the Arab world, France, and Belgium, and published numerous research studies in international law and relations in Arabic, French, and English scientific journals.
Dr. Shehab received a number of awards and medals, most notably the Nile Prize in Social Sciences in 2019, the State Appreciation Award in Social Sciences in 1998, the Order of the Republic (First Class) in 2014 for his role in the Taba arbitration case, the Officer of the Legion of Honor from France, and the Order of Merit from Italy, together with other honors and honorary doctorates from several Egyptian and international universities.
He also played a major role in the development of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina since its inception, in addition to his significant national role in defending Egypt's higher interests, developing higher education, and promoting the work of the Supreme Council of Culture. May his soul rest in peace.