The wonderful dean of Sudanese journalism, Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh, has passed away
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The deceased departed during one of the most challenging periods for Sudan and its people, namely the ongoing war since April of last year between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries, the largest displacement and refugee crisis globally, extensive infrastructure damage across the country, and a comprehensive breakdown in communications. Like millions of Sudanese, the late Mahjoub was forced to seek refuge outside Sudan in Cairo, where he passed away and was buried.
Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh - Dean of Sudanese Journalism
The Dean of Sudanese Journalism, Professor Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh, was born in Khartoum North in 1928. He received his education at Gordon College (Secondary School) and the University of Khartoum from 1946 to 1949. He began his journalistic career in 1949, working for the Sudan Star Daily English newspaper from 1949 to 1952, and Al-Sudan Al-Jadeed from 1951 to 1953.
He was one of three journalists who founded Al-Ayyam newspaper in October 1953, along with Bishara Mohamed Saeed and Mahjoub Osman. He was elected Secretary-General of the Sudanese Press Union from 1950 to 1959.
Mahjoub Saleh served as the editor-in-chief of Al-Hayat weekly magazine, published by Al-Ayyam newspaper, from 1957 to 1959. He also alternately served as the editor-in-chief of Al-Ayyam newspaper alongside his partners Bishara Mohamed Saeed and Mahjoub Osman. Additionally, he was the editor-in-chief of the daily English newspaper, Morning News, from 1959 to 1962. Later, he was appointed as the Information Secretary for the Round Table Conference on the Southern Sudan issue in 1965.
He held various membership positions, serving as a founding member of the Arab Journalists Union and a founding member of the African Journalists Union. He was elected as the Chairman of the Board of the Public Press Institution from 1970 to 1971. Mahjoub Saleh was also elected as a member of the parliament in 1965 as part of the Constituent Assembly representing the graduates constituencies. He temporarily stopped journalistic work during the nationalization of newspapers. He was appointed as the editor-in-chief of Al-Ayyam newspaper during the transitional period from 1985 to 1986, and again after its return to its owners from 1987 to 1989 and when it resumed publication in 2000.
Works and Awards
Professor Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh contributed to several publications on various topics, including "The History of Sudanese Journalism in Half a Century," "Spotlights on the Southern Issue," "The Future of Democracy in Sudan," "Social Justice in Sudan," and "Studies on the Constitution" in three parts.
He received numerous degrees and awards. The University of Ahfad granted him an honorary doctorate in 2002, and he received the Arab Organization for Freedom of the Press Award, the Friedrich Ebert Organization Award for Human Rights (jointly with Abel Alier), and the Golden Pen Award from the International Press Organization based in Paris in 2005. He also received the Knight Foundation Award, the International Press Center in Washington Award in 2006, and an honorary doctorate from Al-Azhar University in 2006. Mahjoub Saleh served as the president of the Sudanese North-South Friendship Association and the chairman of Al-Ayyam Cultural and Development Studies Center. He was chosen by the committee commemorating the memory of Tayeb Saleh as the "Personality of the Year" in February 2013. In addition, he received the 2018 Human Rights Award from the European Union.
Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh Award
As part of corporate social responsibility, the Dal Group announced on the evening of Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Corinthia Hotel, the establishment of an annual award named the "Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh Award for Sudanese Journalism," given in one of the journalistic fields each year.
The award aims to honor journalists in person, inspired by the dean of Sudanese journalism, Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh, celebrating his nearly 70-year history in Sudanese journalism and his role in establishing and developing journalistic work, elevating the status of responsible and interactive free journalism concerning national issues.
The Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh Award for Sudanese Journalism is the first and largest of its kind in Sudanese press history.
Source: Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh Award Website - mmsalihaward.com
