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Dates: October 24 - November 3, 2007
Cities: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria
Forty-two delegates from across the United States joined Sister Cities International's Partnership & Peace Tour to Egypt from October 25 to November 3, 2007. The Sister Cities delegation traveled throughout Egypt touring the historic and cultural sites and participating in events aimed at raising awareness of Sister Cities activity in Egypt and new partnership opportunities.
The tour kicked off with a welcome reception hosted by Haynes Mahoney, Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Francis J. Ricciardone (U.S. Ambassador to Egypt) spoke to our group, expressing his support for twinning activities and the need for greater sister city engagement with communities in Egypt.
The tour kicked off with a welcome reception hosted by Haynes Mahoney, Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Francis J. Ricciardone (U.S. Ambassador to Egypt) spoke to our group, expressing his support for twinning activities and the need for greater sister city engagement with communities in Egypt.
The following day, delegates were treated to a private in-depth lecture from Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Antiquities, during which they learned about Dr. Zahi's most recent and groundbreaking excavation projects. Dr. Zahi's fascinating lecture set the stage for an unforgettable visit to the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the Workmen Tombs.
Delegates also toured the famous tombs and temples of Upper Egypt, meeting with the Governor of Luxor, Dr. Samir Farag, and celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Baltimore-Luxor Sister City relationship with members of both local committees and the two committee chairs, Mr. Abdelwahab Elabd of Baltimore and Mr. Ehab Gaddis of Luxor. General Samir Yousuf, Governor of Aswan, joined delegates on-board the cruise ship to discuss his fascinating and diverse governorate and his deep interest in establishing a sister city relationship with a U.S. community.
The sister cities delegation later journeyed to Alexandria, the Pearl of the Mediterranean, for a private tour and a special event at the world-famous Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Delegates learned about various cultural and peace-building programs associated with the new library from speakers such as Ambassador Ali Maher, Director of the Peace Institute; Justin Siberell, Director of the State Department's American Center in Alexandria; Dr. Sahar Hamouda, a local historian and Deputy Director of the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center; and Mohiba Abdel-Salam, member 
of the Alexandria-Baltimore Sister Cities Committee. Delegates also spent time with General Adel Labib, Governor of Alexandria, and enjoyed a private dinner hosted by His Excellency and the vice governor of Alexandria.Upon returning to Cairo, the group met with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and visited Islamic Cairo, Khan El Khalili market and Sakkara. Amr Badr, Managing Director of Abercrombie & Kent, hosted the group for a dinner during which they had the opportunity to hear Mr. Moustafa El Fikky give a talk on Egyptian international affairs. Delegates ended the tour with a wonderful dinner at the home of Dr. Hossam Fahmy and Mrs. Dalia Khalil.
Sister Cities International currently recognizes five sister city relationships in Egypt: Baltimore-Alexandria, Baltimore-Luxor, New York City-Cairo, Los Angeles-Giza and Cleveland-Alexandria.
Egyptian communities are very interested and energetic about establishing sister city relationships with U.S. communities. For more information about Sister Cities activities in Egypt, opportunities for collaboration or future Partnership & Peace Tours, please contact Jennifer Oliver, Islamic Partnership Initiative Program Manager, at joliver@sister-cities.org.
A Participant's Perspective:
Egypt Partnership & Peace Tour [Free Lance Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia), March 8, 2008]
