When the world glances through the pages of history, they stand amazed by various personalities, whose words and deeds have been carved in the heart and memory of history. Their footsteps turned into a path over which nations tread. So we shall pause to ponder the heroes and leaders of the world, to reflect on human icons that have mesmerized the world, making history.
Much has been written about the characteristics of heroes and leaders, however I will halt before a few traits, namely:
- Vision: An effective hero and leader has a vision, with its long and short term goals, as well as high ambitions, compared to those surrounding him.
- Responsibility: Bearing one’s responsibility is part and parcel of the character of heroes and leaders, which earns them their people’s trust and appreciation, rendering their ability to influence gigantic.
- Skill: Great mental and intellectual skill in addition to interpersonal skills, they can also understand their people, communicate with them, and sense their sentiments, analyzing their psyches, hence being well capable of impacting, persuading, motivating and encouraging.
Amongst such heroes:
Gandhi
Gandhi was a prominent politician and hero of India during its independence movement. He worked as an estranged lawyer in South Africa, where Indians were struggling to obtain their civil rights. Via empathizing with his fellow citizens, he led them to unity, shouldering responsibility for defending their rights. He led his country to strive towards independence from foreign control, standing in opposition to all aspects of tyranny and discrimination; he strove to alleviate the suffering of the poor, boost women’s rights, forging national and religious harmony in his country. He paid attention to limiting ostracizing, to reforming the economy via increasing self-reliance. He had a clear vision for the things he strove to accomplish, expressing it thus: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
The sixteenth president of the United States of America. He strongly opposed the policy of slavery in America until he managed to issue a decree of emancipation of slaves in 1863, amending the Constitution to criminalize slavery in 1865. He protected fugitive slaves, encouraging neighboring countries to shun slavery. Lincoln enjoyed an immense degree of influence, such that his famous Gettysburg Address in 1863 was considered one of the best known speeches in American history. He managed to lead the country successfully, restoring its unity and ending the American civil war.
Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945)
The thirty second president of the United States of America. He took the helm of the presidency during the worst period his country has ever witnessed. So he focused on eradicating the Great Depression to which his country was exposed, via whatever means the government could utilize to occasion reform; resorting to experts and consultants to bring his country out of that crisis. He stood up to all campaigns casting doubt on his ability to run the country. When Roosevelt took office, he laid out a program called “The New Deal”, working to offer direct aid to the destitute, along with starting solid economic systems. In 1933, he set in place solutions for the banking crisis, introducing social care institutions for civilians, along with hiring millions of youths, in paving the streets, cultivating trees, maintenance and public service. He also lent attention to the agricultural, industrial and commercial fields, as well as the management of public businesses to present grants and assistance to huge construction projects. In 1934, he established a committee for trading in securities, to help remedy the collapse of the stock exchange that had taken place in 1929. In 1935, he formed a Division to bring electricity to the countryside, especially in neglected rural areas. He also granted high attention to laborers. He’s famous for his quote: “The only thing we should fear is… fear itself.”
Nelson Mandela (1994-1999)
African hero Mandela never succumbed to the racism that was rampant in his society. Instead, he decided to stand up to it, in all austerity and continuity until he turned the impossible into reality. He studied law, worked as an attorney, his prime concern being his homeland. Then his dream expanded to include the entire human race, in a lengthy undeterred struggle, while aware of the danger of that path, expressing it through his words: “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.”
After being incarcerated for more than a quarter of a century, a new journey commenced in the life of the African protagonist, calling for a free election in which everybody can participate, only to be chosen as hero, leader and president for his people. During his presidency, he was concerned with altering all forms of racism in his country, battling poverty, ignorance and disease. Mandela went on to become a symbol of freedom and toil that stops at no bond or hindrance. His birthday – the 18th of July – was named “Nelson Mandela International Day”, so that people worldwide would dedicated 67 minutes to do something constructive for their societies.
Gamal Abd Al-Nasser (1956-1970)
One of the leaders of the 23rd of July Revolution that overturned the Monarchy in Egypt. Abd Al-Nasser schemed to build Egypt by constructing the High Dam, however tensions with Western countries made them pull out with their financing. Obstacles failed to halt his vision and reforms; so he issued a decree to nationalize the Suez Canal Company in 1956, the stance in which he was backed by Egyptians and Arabs alike. The result of this was the triple offensive of Britain, France and Israel; which was destined to irreparable failure. Then the popularity of Nasser skyrocketed across the region, with all Arab citizens considering him their hero, leading to a rise in the calls for an Arab union to be formed under his leadership; this was recognized when the United Arab Republic was formed with Syria (1958-1961). Nasser played a prominent role in supporting the Arab revolutions that took place following the Egyptian revolution, to emancipate them of foreign imperialism, so much so earning him the support of national Arab organizations all over the region. On the Egyptian front, Nasser took a series of socialist and reformist decisions to modernize Egypt. He is considered a symbol of Arab dignity and unity. Historians also describe him as one of the most significant Arab political personalities in modern history through the twentieth century.
Al-Seesy (2014-current)
Abd Al-Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil Al-Seesy, known as Abd Al-Fattah Al-Seesy was born on the 19th of November, 1954, in the suburb of Al-Gammaliyyah. He obtained a Bachelor of Military Sciences from the Egyptian Military Academy in 1977. Then he obtained a Master’s Degree in Military Sciences at the Commanders and Chief of Staff Military Academy in 1987, followed by a Master’s Degree in Military Sciences at the Commanders and Chief of Staff Military Academy of Britain in 1992. He also received the Fellowship of the Higher College of War at the Nasser Higher War Academy in 2003, and that of the US Army War College in 2006.
Al-Seesy has held several offices: Director of the Military Intelligence and Reconnaissance Division at the General Secretariat of the Department of Defense, Brigade Commander, General of the mechanized Infantry, Defense Attaché at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chief of Staff of the Mechanized Infantry Division (second division), then Chief of Staff of the Northern Military zone, then its Commander, Director of the General Military Investigation and Reconnaissance Division, then Secretary of Defense and General Commander of the Armed Forces. During that substantial period of dedicated toil for the sake of Egypt, he obtained several decorations, trophies and medals of honor. Then he resigned his post, in acquiescence to the will of the Egyptian populace, to be nominated as President. In a democratic election, he won a landslide victory with unprecedented participation rates of Egyptians who loved him, voted for him and elected him of their own free will, to be their president and lead the Arab Republic of Egypt during a crucial decisive period of our contemporary history.
I conclude my words by congratulating Egyptians on their president and leader; for they are fully aware of the lessons they passed through in their time-honored history; as they know all too well the role of their leaders, who have shaped history. As their ancestors were aware of the role of King Mina, in uniting Egyptians, so the country would become one territory with no schisms; likewise the people know the role of Al-Seesy in uniting Egypt around him, to toil for the country. As King Zosar was alert to the perils endangering the Egyptian borders, in terms of assaults, thereby protecting it, likewise the people’s leader stood up to all attacks on the land of Sinai. As Ramses the Second confronted the alliances against Egypt, being capable of eradicating evil and danger against his country, so Al-Seesy opposed global alliances that posed a threat to Egypt and its peace. As Salah Al-Deen Al-Ayyoubi retrieved Jerusalem[Al-Quds], confronting any foreign intervention in the country’s affairs, so came Al-Seesy’s retrieval of Egypt and Arabs’ awe in the face of foreign intervention.
Finally, I extend my congratulations to Mr. President, Abd Al-Fattah Al-Seesy upon his taking the helm of Egypt’s presidency, to turn a new page of history, on which to write glories for Egypt anew. Egypt is lucky to have you! We plead to the Lord to endorse you and support your every footstep to complete your mission of defending the homeland you have long cherished since your early youth, in earnest devoting your life to it through genuine profound love all along 45 years of defending and building it, long may your presidency of this country last, with the will and support of the people.
The Bible states: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” It also tells us: “For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” Moreover, we pray for you in our Holy Mass, “Lord, remember the president of our homeland, Your servant. Preserve him in wellbeing, justice and might. Submit before him all nations who seek war in all that we own, which is fertile.”
We pray that God firms up your feet, grants you success along the path and completes your journey, which is the selfsame journey of a people who elected you and in you placed their very trust, that you may make history. “Whoever rules Egypt is truly equal to the task of changing history!”
Of our spectacular Egypt, words never end…!
General Bishop
President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
