Mohamed Fahmy to join UBC as Journalist in Residence

Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy isn't putting his life on hold until an Egyptian court decides his fate and has accepted a position at the University of British Columbia beginning this September.  

"It's one of my dreams," said the soon-to-be adjunct professor in an interview with On the Coast host Gloria Macarenko. 

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"In the cell, I would have this escapism of trying to imagine the picturesque scenes in Vancouver, and just being free, away from any politics or any sort of fear. I hope that happens on the 30th when I go back to court and I'm a free man again."

On July 30, an Egyptian court will rule on the terrorism charges facing the former Al Jazeera bureau chief, who has been charged with spreading false news.

Fahmy to provide guest lectures across campus

As the Journalist in Residence with UBC's Global Reporting Centre, Fahmy will provide guest lectures across campus and give two prominent talks.

"We are giving him space and time to do his writing, ... to reflect on what has happened to him and to share those thoughts and experiences with other scholars and journalists," said Peter Klein, director of the Global Reporting Centre.

Fahmy said he's excited to land in Vancouver.

"I can hopefully share some of my experiences here with the students about journalism in the Middle East."

Asking for continued support

Though Fahmy has made plans to return to Vancouver, he isn't fully confident that the court will rule in his favour.

"I'm also now spending as much time as possible with my family.

"There's this unannounced fear between us that something may go wrong, and I may go back to prison. Me and my fiancée are now strategizing what we might do if this nightmare happens and I end up in prison."

He said he has been inspired by the support of tens of thousands of Canadians that have signed letters and petitions, calling for his release.

He is now asking for that support again, especially in the last nine days before the ruling. 

"While I was in solitary confinement, even through those cracks of information they used to slip in, I knew people were fighting for me in Canada and abroad, and protesting," he said.

"I feel that that kept me going. I am doing the same thing for other prisoners in Egyptian prisoners and elsewhere. I will continue to do that when I arrive back in Canada. Many of the journalists that fall into these prisons are victims of politics more than anything."

To hear the full interview with Mohamed Fahmy, listen to the audio labelled: Mohamed Fahmy to teach at UBC journalism school.