Your Grace Bishop Boulos,

Reverend Fathers,
Dr. Ewis El Nagar,
Dr. Mohamed El Ashmay,
His Excellency Nabil Mekky,
Consul Mostafa Eissa,
Mr. Mohamed Atef,
Dr. Ahmed Araber,
Mr. Sherif Erfan,

Distinguished leaders of the Egyptian community in Montreal, representatives of our associations, members of the media, administrators of our community platforms and chat groups, and a very special welcome to those who travelled from Toronto to be with us tonight—your presence honors us deeply.

To those who are here, and to those who could not make it but are present in spirit—we thank you.

Allow me also a few personal words of gratitude.

• To our youth—you are not only our future; you are our present strength.
• To my mother—for her prayers and steadfast support.
• To my family business, Amira—for always standing behind my vision.
• To my children—the source of happiness.

• And to my beloved wife—for her patience, encouragement, and unwavering partnership.

Tonight, we are honoring the memory of a great man.

The idea of Iftar gathering did not begin with me. It began with the late Mr. George Saad.

George Saad was not simply a community member—he was a builder. He believed that Egyptians, regardless of background or affiliation, could sit at one table. He understood that unity was not a slogan; it was work. He led with generosity, with dignity, and with a vision that our strength lies in our togetherness.

He brought people together—associations, churches, mosques, professionals, families. He did not focus on differences; he focused on common ground.

George and his late wife Mary immigrated to Canada in 1964 and ran Egyptian restaurant/grocery store, a travel agency, and contributed to media (magazine, TV, radio).

And tonight, as we gather in harmony, we are witnessing the continuation of his dream.

Itihad

Few years ago an unprecedented meeting of all the Egyptian associations presidents across Canada was organized by Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid and continued by Ambassador Ahmed Hafez. The objective was to unite and I am committed to pursuing with determination and clarity this initiative.

When I was appointed President of Itihad in Canada a year ago, I acknowledged the work of those pioneers who preceded me: George Saad, Mamdouh Ismail, Adel Iskander, Farid Zomokhal, Sabry Boulos, and Wassem Boutros who just preceded me.

I accepted the role with a clear conviction: setbacks do not define us. They refine us. I accepted it not to preside but to serve.

Yes, there have been challenges in building a true union. But we must not give up on the principle of unity. If anything, we must strengthen it.

I organized a community platform entitled Egyptian Canadians which its main purpose was to resolve the visa problem. The platform included most of the leaders of our community across Canada and despite that the issue of the visa has been resolved and despite our differences the platform still stands.

The Mandate of Itihad

The mandate of Itihad is simple and firm:

• To respect one another.
• To encourage one another.
• To reject jealousy and division, and instead celebrate each other’s success.
• To support those among us who are appointed to important positions, whether civic, professional, or public.

• And to act as a unified voice—a lobby—representing the Egyptian community with dignity and strength before Canadian institutions and leadership.

Unity is coordination. It is maturity. It is leadership. A united community commands respect. A divided one struggles to be heard.

Tonight’s Iftar is more than a meal. It is a message.

• A message that we can sit together.
• A message that we can move forward together.
• A message that the Egyptian community in Canada chooses collaboration over competition, and strength over fragmentation.

May this gathering be a step toward a stronger, more organized, and more united future for the Egyptian community.

May God bless our community, bless Canada, and bless Egypt.

Thank you, and Ramadan Kareem.