Eternal Spring Wadah Khanfar | Former Director General
It was yet another eventful day in weeks-long uninterrupted coverage, where Al Jazeera’s screen was adorned with dozens of red ‘breaking news’ lower thirds. As Egypt’s snowballing protests culminated in Mubarak’s ouster, celebrations broke out all over the Arab World. As long office hours had taken a toll on me, I drove home via my usual route - Doha Corniche. Countless thoughts were spinning in my head; a torrent of emotions thrashing about inside me. The trickle of people turning out had become a flood. They were of various nationalities; coming to
express their joy. Some chanting joyous slogans; others handing out candies. As the crowds swelled around my car, I could not drive any further. Some among the crowds recognised me and pulled me out of the car. As a token of their appreciation to Al Jazeera, they hugged me in joy. I was overwhelmed and could not hold back my tears. That was the pinnacle of my 8-year watch at the helm of the channel. I spent a chapter in my career serving as a correspondent in Africa, Afghanistan and then Iraq. There, I came to realise that the most indispensable
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