Dr. Arne Fjeldstad passed away on Sunday November 23. His life was dedicated to serving the truth, both in the sense of seeking facts as well as religious truth.

Arne was a member on AWR's board of advisors from 2004 to 2006, after we met and became friends through the Maadi Community Church. During that time, he was instrumental in the transfer of AWR - at the time in the format of an electronic newsletter - into a website. We had many meetings in our Maadi office, struggling with small budgets. Regardless, he was dedicated to the project, and through hiring an Egyptian internet company, we got AWR online in time for the visit of the former Dutch Prime Minister Andreas van Agt in 2006.

​Dr. Rev. Fjeldstad

When Arne left Egypt, our paths diverged. He became Director of ‘the Media Project,’ while I remained in Egypt. I would like to refer to the tribute written about Arne by Roberta Green Ahmanson. I couldn’t agree more regarding her description of him; “Wherever Arne went, he brought a cheerful, encouraging presence and a wide knowledge of journalism and the world and its challenges. His death leaves a hole in the hearts of all who knew and worked with him” - these words could not ring truer.

Points of view differ on Christian-Muslim relations in Egypt, Arne was able to listen to both sides and act as a bridge between them. We will dearly miss him and wish God will console his wife Hilde, their children and friends.

Cornelis Hulsman