[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Egyptian expats mark anniversary of 1952 revolution" ids="71276,71277,71278"] Samar Yahya JEDDAH — The Egyptian Consulate General hosted a reception at the InterContinental Hotel in Jeddah last Wednesday to mark the country's 64th National Day. Egyptians celebrate their National Day on July 23, the anniversary of the 1952 revolution that abolished the monarchy and marked the beginning of the republic. Consul General Adel El-Alfy and his wife received the guests who included diplomats from Arab, Islamic and foreign countries, prominent Saudi figures, members of the Egyptian community and media representatives. In his speech El-Alfy said: "Today we are celebrating the 64th anniversary of the July 23 Revolution, a popular uprising that remains until today alive and vibrant in the minds of the Egyptian people in view of the purity of its morals, principles and goals — eliminate feudalism, colonialism and foreign control of capital and establish social justice, a sound democratic system and a strong national army. On Jan. 25, 201, and on June 30, 2013, the Egyptians echoed the same goals in their own right." El-Alfy spoke about the historical, strong and deep relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Reaffirming the strength of bilateral relations, he paid tribute to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. El-Alfy said the strong relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia are based on cooperation and integrity. He also praised the latest agreements signed between the two countries, including the ones for developing Al-Qasr Aleny Hospital in Cairo, avoiding double taxation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as well as the memoranda of understanding for cooperation in shipping and ports, housing, electricity and energy, among others. The consul general, who is leaving the Kingdom at the end of his four-year tenure in Jeddah, used the opportunity bid farewell to his guests. "Honorable guests, our gathering today coincides with the end of my tenure as consul general of Egypt in this beautiful coastal city of Jeddah where I felt at home. I have experienced how Egypt means to Saudi Arabia and how Saudi Arabia means to Egypt in my four-year stay here," Al-Alfy said. He honored several Saudi personalities who made remarkable contributions to further improve Saudi-Egyptian relations during his stint in Jeddah. On their part, Arab and African consuls general felicitated El-Alfy during the event. Following his speech, El-Alfy and Adel Abdulrahman Bakhsh, director of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Makkah branch, cut the celebratory cake with other diplomats present.
