I-I Samira Mousa The Nuclear Researcher

SAMIRA MOUSSA, THE NUCLEAR RESEARCHER

By
Hager Hamid & Nurhan Abd el-Rahman


Synopsis:

Samira Moussa – born on March 3, 1917, in Al-Gharbiya Governorate – was an outstanding Egyptian scientist. She was the only Egyptian to be given access to the secret laboratories in the United States as a pioneering nuclear researcher. Her mother went through a fierce battle against cancer and at last she died, so Samira Moussa sought to make nuclear treatment available for every one. She was the first “alien” to be allowed to visit the US secret atomic facilities. She turned down several proposals to be granted the U.S. citizenship and preferred to return home to pursue her dream of harnessing atomic power for peace and the welfare of all humanity. On August 5th, 1952, she was assassinated. In recognition to her efforts, she was granted many awards –abstract and concrete. Among them was the Order of Science and Arts, First Class, by late president Anwar el-Sadat and she was honoured by the Egyptian Army.


Action Units:

Exposition: Samira Moussa was the first Egyptian nuclear researcher given access to the secret laboratories in the USA.

Problem: Americans wanted her to work for them after she had gained a high degree of nuclear knowledge, and they did not want her to return to her country.

Climax: They offered her the US citizenship but she refused and decided to return to her motherland.

Resolution: She was assassinated.

Conflict: External: between American authorities and Samira Moussa.

Characters: Samira Moussa à Major and round character.

Public space: United States of America.

Time: Modern times – 1917-1952.

Narrative Voice : Third Person – Authorial.


Themes: Patriotism – struggle – self-achievement – mystery.