A grand celebration was held in the U.S. capital to honor the world-renowned Egyptian archaeologist, Dr. Zahi Hawass, presenting him with the prestigious biennial Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Award, which marks its sixth edition this year.
The event witnessed an exceptional turnout of over 500 high-profile figures, led by White House officials, the presidents of the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution, alongside a constellation of American cultural and political leaders, and in the presence of the Egyptian Ambassador to Washington, Motaz Zahran, and his wife.
estive atmosphere featuring musical and vocal performances, hosted by one of CNN's top commentators and media personalities. The gala honored six international, American, and Lebanese figures.
During the ceremony, prominent Egyptian-American figure Dina Powell, a notable activist who previously served under U.S. presidential administrations (President Bush and President Trump), delivered a moving speech praising Dr. Zahi Hawass. "Zahi Hawass has successfully brought antiquities into every home across the globe," Powell stated. "He is Egypt's ambassador to the entire world, enjoying an overwhelming international fame unmatched by any archaeologist before him."
Powell noted that she has followed his career and known him since she was eight years old, emphasizing that this award represents a genuine tribute from the American people and government. The U.S. Department of State oversees 50% of the Meridian Center, while the other half is managed by prominent cultural and political figures, including Mrs. "Tina Taps," president of the institution and wife of Senator David McCormick of Pennsylvania. Following the honoring ceremony and musical performances, guests attended an official dinner held to mark this historic occasion.
Dr. Hawass’s visit to Washington sparked broad diplomatic and cultural engagement, beginning upon his arrival with a major dinner hosted in his honor by Mrs. Debra Lehr, Chairman of the Antiquities Coalition and a leading international figure dedicated to the return of global heritage. The dinner was attended by nearly 100 prominent political and cultural figures, including the heads of National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institution, where Hawass showcased the most significant archaeological discoveries made throughout his illustrious career.
The following day, an extensive seminar chaired by Debra Lehr featured an open dialogue with Ambassador Motaz Zahran and Dr. Zahi Hawass. The discussion addressed updates on the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) project. Attendees expressed immense admiration and support for Hawass’s relentless efforts and his ongoing campaign to repatriate unique Egyptian artifacts—most notably the Rosetta Stone, the Dendera Zodiac, and the bust of Nefertiti—in addition to reviewing updates on the Egyptian tourism sector.
In his official acceptance speech, Dr. Zahi Hawass stressed that all the glory and fame he has achieved are credited to his homeland, Egypt, which carries and preserves the most important and greatest civilization in human history. He considered this award the ultimate culmination of everything he has dedicated to Egypt and its antiquities, which belong to the entire world.
Hawass praised and commended the pivotal role played by the U.S. Homeland Security and federal agencies in cooperating to seize and return stolen and smuggled Egyptian antiquities. He emphasized that his driving force behind all his achievements has always been his "pure passion for antiquities," recalling for the audience the story of his very first archaeological discovery and how it sparked this lifelong love and devotion.
The visit concluded with an event organized by the Middle East Institute, which hosted an extensive panel discussion attended by experts and specialists. The session focused on boosting tourism, heritage protection, and the repatriation of smuggled artifacts, amid widespread international praise from attendees for the historic and central role Dr. Zahi Hawass plays in leading campaigns to return stolen antiquities to their original homeland.
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