U.S. awards Congressional Gold Medal to Anwar Sadat

WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (MENA) - The US has awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat in recognition of his heroic achievements and courageous contributions to peace in the Middle East, a former foreign minister said Wednesday.

Mohamed Orabi, in statements to MENA on the sidelines of a ceremony organized to unveil the designs for the Anwar Sadat congressional gold medal in Washington, said Egypt has always been a central country in the Middle East and has served as a cornerstone of security and stability in the region.

He said he is proud that Congress honored the late Egyptian leader, noting that all participants spoke highly of the important role played by Egypt to maintain regional stability.

Attending the ceremony were Gamal Sadat, son of the late president, and Egypt's Ambassador here Yasser Reda.

The Sadat medal's obverse features a large, dramatic portrait of Sadat facing right.

The approved reverse design depicts the Unknown Soldier Memorial and Anwar Sadat’s tomb with the inscriptions "HE LIVED FOR PEACE AND DIED FOR PRINCIPLES, ANWAR EL SADAT 1918–1981, and ACT OF CONGRESS 2018".

Congress bestows the Congressional Gold Medal – one of the nation’s highest civilian awards – as an expression of gratitude for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions.