I would like to congratulate all Egyptians on the commemoration of Sinai Liberation which comes on 25/4 of each year, when the Egyptian flag was raised and Egypt restored a precious part of its land that occupies a special place in the heart of every Egyptian. Sinai is that land which has been distinguished throughout history and attracted the attention of the world towards it: as for its geography, it links between the continents of Africa and Asia, which added a great value to Egypt’s location.
As for its history, it has presented incidents that have changed the face of the world, and was accompanied with great blessing, as it is the door through which the Men of God passed, so it has been showered with great blessings: On their way to Egypt, Abraham, the friend of God, his son Isaac, Jacob and his son Joseph had all crossed Sinai, also Moses the Prophet, the one who conversed with God, had gone across it after God, blessed be His name, had conversed with him twice, commanding him to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt.
The Holy Family had gone across it on her journey to Egypt and on her return to Palestine; and thus, the land of Sinai has been filled with religious landmarks that attracted the world’s attention, including but not limited to: Mountain of Moses, Mountain of Saint Catherine, the Holy Valley next to the Church of the Shrub, the Holy Family Road and the Path of Pilgrimage. Thus, Egyptian Sinai land has become the spring of blessings in all religions.
Sinai is also distinguished by the abundance of natural wealth since the Pharaonic Age, especially the turquoise, that it was called “the Land of Turquoise”, it is also privileged by its magnificent nature which increases its beauty in the eyes of the world which much appreciates it.
On the land of Sinai, Egyptian blood flowed for its liberation and restoration at the Sixth of October War, 1973 which ended with the Egyptian flag raised on the lands, this has made it of a precious position to every Egyptian’s heart and conscience.
A Proceeding Journey
On February 9, based in the directions of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a comprehensive operation titled “Sinai 2018” has been launched to deal with the terrorist threats to Egypt’s security and peace; to eliminate the terrorist elements that shed the blood of its innocent children. Sinai 2108 is a war declared on terrorism in Northern and Central Sinai, in some areas of Egypt’s Delta and the desert west of the Nile valley.
It is also a continuation of Egypt’s leading role in the world and the region. In a press interview, Vyacheslav Matozov, a former Russian diplomat and expert on the Middle East, described the operation saying: “… The counter terrorism concerned world is entirely following Egypt’s efforts in countering terrorism, and Egypt has chosen a comprehensive confrontation with terrorism, for it realizes its weight and role in the region, which have placed it at the forefront of the countries combating terrorism… Egypt is the spearhead in the face of extremism and terrorism forces in North Africa …” Yes, since the dawn of history, Egypt has taken over the mission of civilization and life to the world, and at the same time, it has taken over the responsibilities of its leadership and defensive role in the region.
As usual, Egypt fights terrorism in behalf of the world.
As Egypt used to receive from its loyal heroes, the operation had started with extreme determination and enthusiasm of the Egyptian army, whom we believe they are pursuing their holy mission through words and deeds, they will not return unless the Egyptian land gets purified of the brutal terrorist aggression. To a great extent, this created similarities between this comprehensive operation and the glorious October War. Many of the Egyptian army members, whose recruitment period is nearly completed, have confirmed that they will continue working side by side with their colleagues, after they demanded an extension for their service period at the army until the end of the war in order to defend the country.
Among those is the first martyr of the comprehensive operation Sinai 2018; Soldier Ahmed Wahballah, who was a resident of Hurghada: Soldier Ahmed Wahballah had finished his military service, and was to hand over his duties, however, upon launching the comprehensive operation, he revealed to his commander that he had a desire to continue, saying: “I do not want to leave… but I want to continue working until Sinai gets liberated and purified.”
In a phone call to his father, he revealed his desire to proceed his journey, and thus he became the first martyr of the comprehensive operation.
In the course of these operations, Egypt has witnessed the championships of its loyal sons, who sacrificed their lives and blood for the sake of their country. Indifferent to death, they sought to secure the lives and peace of the Egyptians. Here, a list of names crosses my mind: Here is the martyr of terrorism in Rafah, Captain Ahmed Fouad Hassan, in whose pocket a letter was found containing a farewell for his mother and in which he spoke about combating terrorism in Sinai, describing it as “a real war”; Another scene is of the martyr and champion of Al Arish, Captain Milad Saad Georgi, who insisted on going to Sinai in order to fight terrorism, leaving his family and fiancee, he wrote on his social media page : “I am the next martyr” His mother reported that during his last vacation, he told her: “Pray for me, Mom, so I would be martyred for Egypt’s sake!” He also told his fiancée: “My country is my glory: if I failed in protecting it, I would fail in protecting you as well” The First Lieutenant, Islam Muhammad Ismail, the hero of 999 Commandos Brigade, had assured his mother that he would be a martyr, writing on his social media page: “O Allah, forgive me with my blood! Let my shroud be my military wear! Grant me martyrdom!”
Although names of Egypt’s heroic martyrs are various, yet their hearts were united on love and sacrifice, their life was belittled in front of their love for their country, until it became a “Journey in love for the country” Some of our heroes, among others, include: First Sergeant martyr Mohammed Elwi Hassan, Sergeant martyr Moustafa Gabr, Soldier martyr Ahmed Abdel Hamid, Soldier martyr Mohammed Ahmed Abdel Razek, Soldier martyr Gad Al Rab Hosny, Soldier martyr Mina Tawab, Soldier martyr Mohammed Taha Mahmoud Abdul Bari, whose cousin was accompanying him in the military service. After Mohammed’s martyrdom, the family tried to convince his cousin to move to another place, but he refused, saying: “I will return only when my brother’s right is restored, or when I become martyred like him” There are many other heroes that the article isn’t of enough space to mention all of them, yet, they are engraved in our hearts and our thoughts,. History has recorded their glimpses of love and sacrifice for Egypt, Mother of the World
Celebrating Sinai Day is undoubtedly a celebration of its heroes in the first place, on this occasion, I would like to offer a bundle of love, thanks and gratitude to every Egyptian martyr who sacrificed himself to defend the country they had loved, they died to secure for all of us safe lives. Martyrs always remain a shining page of Egyptian history, and …
Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt…
The General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
