Egypt's Gift to the world

HM the King to attend the opening of New Suez Canal tomorrow

Manama

As preparations for the opening of the new Suez Canal progresses in Ismailia, Egyptians as well as people from all around the world are eagerly awaiting the historical opening of the waterway tomorrow. Bahrain's   Royal Court announced yesterday that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will leave today for Egypt to take part in the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez Canal at an invitation by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi.

According to the Egyptian leadership, the opening of the new canal will be Egypt's present to the world. The waterway will be an important step to revitalize global maritime businesses as well as navigation.

The opening of the new canal will be supervised by the Egyptian armed forces as well as the police who vowed to provide protection during the opening ceremony and to contribute the security of the location in the future.

On his part, the chair of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Admiral Mohab Mameesh said that that the opening of the canal will provide a message to the world that Egypt was "safe and sound" and that his country was able to contribute to the international community.

The Egyptian national television will be broadcasting the opening of the new Suez Canal, a project initiated by President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi on August 5th, 2014 as a supplement waterway that will allow a two-way maritime navigation for ships.

Meanwhile in a bid to show the faces of the Egyptian population at the New Suez Canal launch, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is inviting the nation and Egyptians around the world to photograph themselves and share their pictures. In recognition of the public’s support, the photos will be used on the campaign website and in a collage which will stand proudly behind the President during the opening ceremony. 

The New Suez Canal has been funded and crafted by Egyptians with a workforce of over 43,000 nationals.  This pictorial tribute will show the faces of the nation, granting them the chance to be present, visually, at the launch event.

In order to participate in the event, the aspirants should send a photo of themselves or their friends and family to www.682015.com. Pictures should be captioned to include names.

Thanks to the collage, the 90 million strong Egyptian population will be represented at one of the country’s most historic events of modern times, further demonstrating the nation’s togetherness during the construction of the New Suez Canal.

“It has been the unwavering support and dedication of the Egyptian people which has allowed the New Suez Canal to be funded and completed in less than 12 months, two years earlier than initially expected,” said Mohab Mameesh, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority. “Egyptians from all walks of life have played their part in one of the most anticipated and ambitious projects of the 21st century, these are the unsung heroes and they truly deserve to be recognised for their efforts.” 

Describing it as ‘Egypt’s gift to the world,’ President El-Sisi implemented a national subscription in which the population was invited to invest in the canal in order to raise the necessary funds. In just six days, the Egyptian people raised around US$8.5 billion and work commenced on 6 August 2014. The launch campaign has attracted a worldwide audience and will be a momentous occasion in the country’s history.