“Number 1” Comes to AUC

By Dalia Abdelwahab & Rana Abdelwahab

@Lia_A0617 @ranasabdelwahab

With crowds of students running to take pictures with Egypt’s most popular action star, Mohamed Ramadan downplayed his celebrity status and focused on how to motivate youth to realize their dreams.

Speaking at Bassily Hall in what was his first visit to AUC in an event hosted by the theater and Film Club (TFC) on September 25, Ramadan said, “whoever puts limits to their ambition, puts limits to their potential”. 

Ramadan then moved the audience with one of his songs, Number One, before urging students to persevere in reaching their full potential regardless of the obstacles.

“They told me to not try anymore because I can’t act and they told me that not everyone can be an actor and that I’m not going to achieve anything, but I tried because I believe that without disappointments, we can’t reach success,” Ramadan said.

Ramadan’s road to success was shaped by his remarkable roles in movies and TV shows like the 2014 Ibn Halal (Man of Honor), and the 2016 Al-Ostourah (The Legend). 

In both he played the underdog who overcomes incredible odds to rise to power.

“Determination is the key to success,” he said, because it helps in facing the challenges and struggles without losing hope.

The event hosting Ramadan was part of TFC’s bi-annual ‘Hall of Fame’ event series where certain celebrities receive commemorative plaques as tokens of appreciation.

“Hall of Fame is one of the most important events that happen on the AUC campus and all students wait for it each year to have the chance to meet their beloved celebrities and listen to their road to fame,” said Bassem Michel, co-general manager of Ramadan’s event.

The event was considered to be a success by most who attended Ramadan’s performance and motivational speech.

“The event was very well organized and the stage was readied for Ramadan’s performance, I loved the event and it was the perfect choice to have Ramadan as the guest,” alumna Nouran Allam told The Caravan.

Nour Abdelwahab, a visitor at AUC to attend the event, admits she is a big fan of Ramadan’s acting. 

“I watch all his serials and movies. I think he worked really hard to achieve what he wants and I can see this from what he said during the talk.”

But some students think campus organizations should focus their energies in more scholarly endeavors. 

“I’m not a huge fan of inviting celebrities to campus, to be honest. This is an academic institution, after all. More lecture series would be beneficial to us,” said Amira Ahmed, a Political Science junior.

But Hazem Khaled, the university’s Student Union’s (SU) events and entertainment chairperson, says that students have different ideas about what is fun, informative, interactive and beneficial. 

“There is no one celebrity that fits all these different mindsets.”

The construction engineering senior added that this is the reason behind attempting to invite a diverse selection of celebrities each semester, along with catering to the tastes of as many students as possible in any SU-organized event.

“Ramadan is a clever actor according to many experts in the field, which is why it would be really beneficial for our club to have him and ask him for tips on how, for example, to prepare for roles,” TFC’s President Mohamed Darwish told The Caravan.

Darwish, a construction engineering graduating senior added that Ramadan’s celebrity status would be beneficial in drawing crowds to the event as well.