Maher Elgawly – Copts United Correspondent – Chicago
Sponsored by the Egyptian Consulate General in Chicago and attended by members representing all segments of the Egyptian community, Mayor Mary Alexander Basta of Bolingbrook, Illinois, hosted an official ceremony to raise the Egyptian flag in celebration of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the 74th anniversary of the July 23, 1952 Revolution.
In the city square, Ambassador Nada Daraz, Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Chicago and the U.S. Midwest, joined Mayor Mary Basta—the first Egyptian-born mayor of an American city—in raising the Egyptian flag alongside the American flag.
The ceremony reflected the deep and enduring Egyptian-American relationship, as well as the strong national and cultural ties that unite Egyptians abroad with their homeland.
As the Egyptian flag was raised, attendees proudly and enthusiastically sang the Egyptian national anthem, expressing their deep love for Egypt and their unwavering sense of belonging, regardless of where they live.
Ambassador Nada Daraz then delivered a keynote address, beginning by thanking Mayor Mary Basta for hosting the flag-raising ceremony and welcoming the Egyptian community to this national celebration.
The Ambassador emphasized that the July 23 Revolution marked a turning point in Egypt’s modern history, paving the way toward freedom and justice. She noted that the New Republic and Egypt Vision 2030 embody the country’s commitment to sustainable development, institutional modernization, and investment in its people through major national projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, and smart cities.
She also highlighted Egypt’s regional and international role in promoting peace and cooperation, while reviewing the more than century-long relationship between Egypt and the United States—particularly with the American Midwest and the city of Chicago. She pointed to the strong political, economic, cultural, and academic partnerships, the valuable contributions of the Egyptian-American community, and the launch of EgyptAir’s first direct flight between Cairo and Chicago.
She stressed that these longstanding ties reflect a strong partnership and open new opportunities for greater cooperation and prosperity between the two countries.
Among those attending the national celebration were Deputy Consul Gina Essam, along with a large gathering of members of the Egyptian community. Distinguished guests included Sheikh Hassan Ali, Imam and President of Qimam Islamic Organization; Fr. Youhanna Nassif, priest of St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Chicago; Fr. Pavlos Fahmy, priest of the Holy Resurrection and St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Chicago; as well as representatives of numerous Egyptian organizations and institutions throughout the Chicago area.
As is customary during national celebrations, the Egyptian Consulate offered guests a selection of traditional Egyptian food and desserts. A special cultural display also showcased Egypt’s rich civilization through photographs, Pharaonic statues, and handcrafted silver works celebrating the country’s unique heritage.
The celebration concluded with commemorative photographs, preserving memories of an event that reflected the Egyptian community’s strong sense of national pride and showcased its cultural harmony and successful integration within American society.
