Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt celebrates Sisi's 71st birthday amid historic nuclear milestone
On Wednesday, Egypt erupted in a wave of heartfelt celebrations marking the 71st birthday of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Born in 1954 in the bustling heart of Cairo, Sisi, who ascended to the presidency in 2014, has become a symbol of stability and ambition for millions.
Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with an outpouring of tributes under hashtags like Milad Aziz Masr (The Birth of Egypt's Dear One) and (#SisiBirthday), reflecting a nation eager to honour a leader synonymous with bold visions and unyielding resolve.
From viral videos of fireworks lighting up the skyline in Alexandria to personal messages from citizens sharing stories of national pride, the digital festivities captured a collective gratitude. "All best wishes with so many happy returns on your special day, happy birthday Mr. President," posted one user, echoing sentiments from educators, engineers, and everyday Egyptians alike.
Another heartfelt note read: "On the glorious occasion of the birthday of His Excellency President Sisi, we proudly extend our warmest congratulations... Your visionary leadership continues to inspire a brighter future for Egypt."
Media outlets like Sada ElBalad joined the chorus, issuing official congratulations and highlighting Sisi's role in steering Egypt through turbulent times. These messages weren't just ceremonial; they wove in calls for continued progress, with users invoking blessings for health, prosperity, and divine guidance in his stewardship of the Arab world's most populous nation.
The jubilant mood reached a crescendo with a landmark event that intertwined personal milestone with national triumph: the ceremonial installation of the reactor vessel for Unit 1 at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. In a virtual ceremony streamed live, Presidents Sisi and Vladimir Putin exchanged warm waves and congratulatory remarks, underscoring the deepening Egypt-Russia partnership.
"The construction of the first nuclear power plant in Egypt with Russian participation is progressing successfully," Putin noted, praising Sisi's proactive promotion of bilateral ties. For many Egyptians, this wasn't mere coincidence, it was poetic symmetry, a birthday gift to the nation that Sisi has long championed as a beacon of modern energy independence.
At the core of Wednesday’s celebrations lies the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt's audacious leap into the atomic age and a project indelibly linked to Sisi's tenure. Located in the coastal Matrouh Governorate, about 320 kilometres northwest of Cairo, the facility will house four VVER-1200 reactors, Generation III+ technology that positions Egypt as the first in the region to adopt such advanced, safe nuclear infrastructure.
Valued at $28.75 billion, with Russia financing 85 per cent through a state loan and Egypt covering the rest via installments, the plant is on track for full operation by 2029, promising 4,800 megawatts of clean power, enough to light up 20 per cent of the country's grid.