A Return After Silence

Wael Ghonim — the internet activist — has returned to social media after a five-month hiatus.

Now living in the U.S., Ghonim broke his silence with a deeply personal post, acknowledging a painful chapter marked by addiction, isolation, and regret.

A Public Apology

In his comeback message, Ghonim issued a direct apology to His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and royal court advisor, as well as to others he may have hurt.

 

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The apology comes after what he described as a period of losing control — one fueled by substance use and emotional instability.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Ghonim shared that his absence from the online world was intentional. He used the time to isolate and confront the darkest parts of his life. “I never imagined falling that far,” he wrote.

The former Google executive admitted that his actions hurt not only himself but also his family — and even his country.

The Road to Recovery

Now, he says he’s on a new path. Ghonim revealed that he’s been three months clean: no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, and no medications.

But his healing journey isn’t just about sobriety. He’s also working on how he thinks, speaks, and treats others — publicly and privately.

A Divided Response

His post ended with a plea for forgiveness, support, and prayers. While many flooded his comments with encouragement and hope, others remained skeptical, questioning the timing and sincerity of his message.

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