Journalist Amany Ibrahim Wins the 2026 Mohamed Hassanein Heikal Award for Arab Journalism

The award recognizes her outstanding investigative efforts in tracking smuggled Egyptian antiquities abroad, alongside her ongoing dedication to heritage and cultural protection in Egypt. This includes her investigative report, “Antiquities in Transit: Manipulation of Ownership Documents Allows European Criminal Ring to Traffic Egyptian Antiquities“, published in February 2025 in partnership between ARIJ and OCCRP. The investigation reveals how forged export licences and fictitious ownership documents have been used in the trafficking of smuggled Egyptian antiquities in both Europe and the US.

Coinciding with the birth anniversary of the late Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, the Foundation celebrated 20 years since its establishment and the 10th anniversary of its Arab Journalism Award, which honors exceptional contributions to the advancement of journalistic practice in the Arab world.