By Nawal Sayed
CAIRO, Jan. 11 (SEE) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a two-day visit to Cairo where he met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Director of General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel.
Moreover,
he delivered a historic speech at the AUC, New Cairo campus, met with personnel
of US Embassy in Cairo and visited the newly-opened mosque and church at the
New Administrative Capital.
“It’s
incredibly important that President Sisi has permitted these kinds of freedoms,
and it’s amazing to be in this mosque and know that here in Cairo, in the heart
of Cairo, in the heart of the Middle East, these kinds of opportunities for
religious freedom are available. So thank you all. I hope you all got a chance
to see it as well,” Pompeo said during touring Al-Fattah Al-Alim Mosque.
He
added: “It is truly a testament to the Egyptian people, the capacity to
exercise their faith and their freedoms here in these houses of worships, these
big, gorgeous, beautiful buildings where the Lord is clearly at work.”
The Secretary
stressed that President
Sisi clearly made a point by putting this – this largest cathedral in the
Middle East – here in this place. “It’s very special; it’s very warm. It’s a
beautiful place, and you can see that the Lord is at work here, here in Egypt.
So it’s a great chance to see it. It’s a great symbol of hope, I think, to
Cairo, to Egypt, and all of the Middle East.”
“Great to be
here. It’s great to be touring this brand new facility. It’s absolutely
spectacularly beautiful,” Pompeo added.
“The Lord is clearly at work here, and it is a very special thing to
have this in the heart of the Middle East, this enormous cathedral where people
can come worship in Egypt. I think it’s a symbol for the whole world about
religious freedom and the opportunities there ought to be for every citizen to
practice and worship in their own way.”
SECRETARY POMPEO described Egypt as “a land of peace.”
“It’s a land of religious freedom and opportunity. It’s remarkable
to see this in this special place, all built within two years, a stunning
testament to the Lord’s hand,” he noted.
As for the US-Egypt relations, Pompeo stressed there is a fantastic strategic relationship between the two countries. “They’re an important partner of the United States in every element – in our economic prosperity between the two countries, the security of our two nations.” “President Trump and President Sisi have worked closely together for President Trump’s time in office. They are a very special country, a very special relationship with the United States,” he stressed