The Google Doodle of today honours Hamed Gahar, a distinguished Egyptian scientist, marine biologist, and TV broadcaster, on his 115th birthday. He served as the 18-year host of the educational programme “Sea World” and is regarded as the father of oceanography in Egypt and the Arab world.
On this day in 1907, Gohar was born in Cairo, Egypt. He began studying medicine at Cairo University in 1925 after being a talented student since a young age. But he chose to major in biology and graduated from Cambridge University in 1931 with a master’s in oceanography. Gohar then started looking at xenia, or soft coral, near the Red Sea shore.
The Red Sea is home to the dugong, a sea animal that was formerly believed to be extinct in the region. At the Hurghada Marine Biological Station, he spent another 25 years studying marine life, and it’s said that because of his passion for aquatic life, he never ate fish.
Gohar produced a number of contributions to marine biology in Egypt and the Arab world. He collaborated in the development of Arabic scientific dictionaries with the Arabic Language Academy. Additionally, he assisted in the planning of the inaugural International Conference on Law of the Sea in Geneva and acted as an advisor to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Gohar is well-known to an entire generation of Arabs thanks to the successful TV programme he hosted for more than 18 years called “Sea World.” Gohar inspired Arabs to learn about marine biology by highlighting natural sea life and underwater beauty. He is still known today for his distinctive voice and unwavering devotion to the ocean.
Happy 115th birthday, Hamed Gohar!