The media figure Wael El Ibrachy has passed away after nearly a year of suffering from the coronavirus at the age of 58. Wael El Ibrachy began his professional life in journalism by working for several years at Rose Al-Youssef newspaper, then he worked at Al-Sout Al-Umma newspaper, and later transitioned to presenting programs, including the nightly show "Al-Ashira Masa'an."
He was born in the city of Sharbin in the Dakahlia Governorate and worked as a journalist at Rose Al-Youssef, where he also led several editorial teams. He presented the daily program "Al-Ashira Masa'an" after previously hosting "Al-Haqiqa," with his last program being "Al-Tasa," aired on Egyptian television. He was married and had a daughter.
During the previous regime, he was accused in 66 publication cases, the most recent being a case of inciting non-compliance with the real estate tax law, from which he was acquitted just days after the January Revolution. He recorded several journalistic scoops under his name, including the Lucy Artem case, the series on fugitives in London, and investigations into refugees in the Golan.
El Ibrachy was described as an "extraordinary investigative journalist" in the field of journalism, according to media figure Shafki Al-Munieri, who confirmed that he sought truth by all means, provided all information, and ensured to present multiple viewpoints. She indicated that El Ibrachy successfully transferred his journalistic experience to television, becoming a star awaited by the public, and added, "Wael shined, and the ninth program shined with him."
Wael El Ibrachy's last appearance was with media personality Najwa Ibrahim on the program "Al-Tasa," broadcasted on the First Channel of Egyptian television nearly a year ago. He commented on his coronavirus infection, saying, "God willing, we will get through this ordeal and return to work again." He noted feeling cold symptoms, so he was tested and confirmed his infection with the virus, adding, "The infection at first, and I will conquer the coronavirus, God willing. I deal with the illness as a gift—true that the illness keeps me away from my work, and that is very difficult."
In connection with his passing, many media figures and artists, including Mohamed Henedy, Khaled El-Sawy, and Yousri El-Fakharani, mourned El Ibrachy. Journalist Sherif Amer wrote: "I knew him among a group of talented journalists a quarter of a century ago in the room next to the editor-in-chief of Rose Al-Youssef. He spoke little and worked a lot, calm on the surface, always active-minded. - "Where are you, my friend Sherif?" he greeted you with that line, even if you had just met two days before. May God have mercy on you and us... our regards to all loved ones, Wael."
Lawyer Khaled Aboubakr also expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying: "May God have mercy on you, Wael. A huge shock for all of us, for his family, and for everyone working in the field of journalism and media."
