Mirna El Helbawi is an Egyptian journalist, writer, podcaster, and activist. She is the founder of Connecting Humanity, a non-profit organization that assists people in Gaza in regaining Internet access through donated eSIMs. In 2016, she was nominated for the Arab Journalism Award. Her debut novel, 'Mor Methl Al Qahwa, Helw Methl Al Chocola' (Bitter Like Coffee, Sweet Like Chocolate), was published in 2018. She has also hosted the podcast 'Helbing'.
Mirna began her career as a journalist, covering news, politics, society, and occasionally lifestyle. Her most notable skill was conducting interviews with international public figures for exclusive articles, such as her interview with Vinton Cerf, one of the pioneers of the Internet. This led to her being shortlisted for the Arab Journalism Award in 2016, where she placed second.
Mirna recounts being the first journalist to interview James Impoco, the editor-in-chief of Newsweek magazine after his revolutionary decision to reprint the magazine. In 2016, she resigned from her position as managing editor of the magazine she had worked at for six years, feeling a sense of emptiness. Her friend suggested she channel this emptiness into writing about her solo travels, leading her to publish her first book with Al Karma, one of the largest Arab publishers.
During the writing of her first book, Mirna worked as a radio host on NRJ radio. She views her diverse media roles as extensions of her passion for writing and reading. Her debut novel received mixed feedback, with readers appreciating her emotional expression but finding it unconventional as a novel. The pressure to match her debut success is a constant challenge, but Mirna remains committed to improving with each book.
Her second book, 'Kundalini,' inspired by her experiences in Mumbai, was quickly adapted for film. Mirna's involvement in the screenplay was limited, but she trusts the production team to honor her vision. 'Kundalini' is also being translated into French, reflecting Mirna's belief in the universal relevance of her writing.
In October, Mirna turned to activism, launching eSIMS for Gaza in response to the blackout of telecommunications services. Connecting Humanity has since sent around 400,000 eSIMs and is working to become an official NGO to expand its donation options. Mirna's work has been recognized by The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a significant honor for her and her team.
Despite concerns that activism might impact her writing career, Mirna remains undeterred. Her diverse media work includes a recent BBC documentary on Egypt, and she continues to balance humanitarian work, media, and writing novels, each enriching her life in different ways.
Mirna is currently writing a historical fiction novel, a project she has been researching for four years. She believes in the importance of books in a fast-paced world and is committed to creating relevant content for the younger generation.
