As we speak about the homeland, we delve into love in which our hearts are all indulged; Egypt is forever and ever “a homeland that lives in us”. It is a love that implies the features of sacrifice, bearing and unstoppable giving, the love of actions not words, with giving as a standard. Egypt has wonderful brightness shining in the pages of humanitarian history; it is the first country that spreads beauty, blessings and civilizations. Although Egypt has suffered several outsider attacks along its history, it imposed its own character and culture on everyone.
Going through the pages of its modern history, we see its people, led by their loyal patriotic leads, have overcome several crises, as the attempts made by the occupation to crush the Egyptian unity in 1919 revolution, yet the world then witnessed unity and gathering around their leaders; thus, the revolution managed to gain its demands. The wars of attrition and October were the same likewise: people and President Abdel Nasser acted in unity, then they did the same with President Al-Sadat, insisting on victory, which was achieved in October 1973. One of the most important curves the Egyptians have survived through is the events awaited for by the whole world on 30/6/2013, when millions of Egyptians went out declaring their desire and will to make the future of their country. From that moment, Egypt has walked along a new path of future making, restoring it to its regional and world state.
On 3rd of June, the Egyptians celebrated the seventh memory of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi assuming the rule of Egypt. Perhaps the serious hard work accompanied by deep comprehensive vision of the present and future of Egypt, is one of the most important signs of President Al-Sisi’s rule. He was deservedly awarded the “Leader Medal”, the highest honor awarded by the Arab Parliament to kings and presidents. The president has borne the responsibility of the country, has been honest in his mission, and such honesty was evident in all his work, especially countering terrorism on the military and ideological levels, and working to preserve the unity of the national fabric.
Mr. President realized that the beginning would be through preserving peace of the country against internal and external enemies; so he was concerned with fighting terrorism with all its forms and methods, rejecting all evil acts that want to harm the land and people of Egypt; he did not hesitate to give orders to defend every single inch of our land, and closely follow all that is happening. When Egypt offered martyrs from among its best men and youth, the president showed in turn caring fatherhood and great concern for their families. Internally, his first concern was to preserve the unity of the national fabric; he ordered the construction of the largest mosque and the hugest cathedral in the Middle East: Al-Fattah Al-Alim Mosque and the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ; His Excellency was keen to pay much care for religious discourse, realizing that the strength of the country lies in the unity of its people.
Since President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi assumed leadership, he has faced a huge number of challenges, but he accepted the challenge and brought many achievements -that were considered dreams- to reality! Egypt has written -through his hands- a new page of its bright history. There was a dire need for a real vision, and plan based on strategic solutions that would bring all Egyptians together, to work for Egypt; the start of construction was inevitable at all levels, and we mention, for example: the gigantic “New Suez Canal” project, which the world thought it would need eight years to be finished, while the Egyptians achieved it in one year only and with mere Egyptian funding!! Projects of developing a large number of regions and ports; building 26 power stations and 114 electricity generating units all over the republic; discovering the largest gas field in the Mediterranean Sea: Zohr field. One year after the start of its production, Egypt declared its self-sufficiency of natural gas. The economic reforms that the people endured with patience and love for their country; rebuilding the cash reserve spent at the time of the crisis to reach its peak in the history of Egypt. In addition, planning and developing an integrated road network across the country; desert reclamation in several projects; plans to conserve water resources; “fish farming” and “livestock development” projects to secure food resources.
The projects also include the establishment of 4,317 factories in 17 industrial compounds; the development of slums and the construction of 16 new cities; restructuring the support system so that it reaches its beneficiaries; the “Decent Life” project for developing the rural Egyptian villages, the development of health by establishing a “comprehensive health insurance” system; starting to reform the dilapidated education system; caring about the youth by providing them with leading opportunities; allowing Egyptian women’s access to leadership and high posts and their access to the largest representation in the House of Representatives throughout history, amending the legislation and laws that guarantee their rights; caring about people with special abilities as well as their achievements. Developing and raising the combat efficiency of the armed forces, the protection shield of Egypt; thus, military bases were established to enable them to confront the threats that surround us, and military cooperation agreements were concluded with a number of countries. This is in addition to the Egyptian role played in support of the Arab brothers in adversity and crises. Egypt has become the common party in solving all regional equations.
The President has also played a prominent role in stopping the fire between Israel and Palestine, through the Egyptian initiative to “cease-fire and achieving sedation in Gaza”; World leaders have praised this role, including Joe Biden, the President of the United States of America, who said: “I express my gratitude to the Egyptian president, who played a diplomatic role to cease fire.”. President Al-Sisi allocated a sum of $500 million in aid for the reconstruction of Gaza, with the participation of Egyptian companies.
These achievements, which have taken place and are still taking place, are nothing but the harvest of vision, plans and unstoppable hard work from the country’s leaders, led by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, whom we ask God to help him in all his steps, and bless all his actions; for the sake of our beloved country, beautiful Egypt, which stories never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
