Ghonim

Ghonim, usually rendered as Wael Ghonim, is an Egyptian computer engineer, internet activist, and technology executive best known for his role in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. He is widely associated with the use of social media to organize and amplify protests.

Ghonim was born in Cairo and studied computer engineering at Cairo University. He joined Google in 2003, where he held marketing and regional leadership roles focused on the Middle East and North Africa. His work at Google helped him gain experience in online communities and digital marketing, which later intersected with his activist activities.

In January 2011, while at Google, Ghonim created the Facebook page “We are all Khaled Said” in memory of Khaled Said, a young man who had died in police custody. The page became a major organizing tool and a symbolic rallying point that helped mobilize large-scale demonstrations during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, contributing to the eventual resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Ghonim was detained by Egyptian security forces for about 11 days in February 2011. His detention and subsequent release drew international attention and underscored concerns about political freedoms in Egypt. After his release, he publicly addressed protesters and reflected on the events and the role of social media in political change.

Following the uprising, Ghonim published Revolution 2.0, a book about the revolution and the impact of digital networks on social movements. He has since spoken internationally about technology, activism, and digital rights, and has remained a prominent figure associated with Google’s regional activities.