Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi opened the ceremony opening the New Suez Canal by traveling, in a military uniform, on the 150-year-old Presidential yacht El-Mahroussa, the first ship to cross the original canal when it was first opened in 1869. By el-Sisi’s side onboard was nine-year-old cancer patient Omar Salah, who had expressed the one dream to meet President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, dressed in military gear, and to attend the opening of Egypt’s New Suez Canal.

Changing into civilian clothes, El-Sisi disembarked at Ismailia, on the Canal, where the ceremony was held and gave his address.

During the President’s speech, he paused as two giant ships were seen in the background crossing in opposite directions through two passages of the canal, amid cheers of those attending.

The President said that the New Suez Canal project cannot be seen simply as an engineering achievement, and that “Egyptians needed to feel, in a year’s time, that they have gained more confidence and security. As shown by the people’s happiness today, they needed to show themselves and the world that they can [accomplish such a project],” he said.

“We have to be one bloc, to face the challenge” he said, gesturing to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayyeb, and the Coptic Orthodox Pope, Tawadros II, who were sitting side-by-side in the audience. El-Sisi thanked “the martyrs who have sacrificed themselves for Egypt and for its stability … army, police, and innocent civilians,” and also thanked all those who participated in the New Suez Canal project, including the engineering division of the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces, and the Suez Canal Authority.

Celebrations in Ismailia were complemented by others in Alexandria, Cairo, and other cities throughout Egypt. The Cairo Opera House musicians, accompanied by international soloists, staged the Triumphal March from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aida, whose story is set in ancient Egypt, written as part of the celebrations for the opening of the Suez Canal, and first premiered in Cairo in 1871. 

Where was the U.S.?

Foreign dignitaries, including heads of state and government were invited. French President Francois Hollande was the Guest of Honor, while by a large delegation led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev represented Russia. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was among the other heads of state and government who are attending. Other European dignitaries included British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon and German Deputy Prime Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD), while other European countries sent high-level officials, and many sent foreign ministers or other cabinet ministers.

Whom did President Barack Obama send? His Ambassador to Egypt, Stephan Beecroft, the lowest-level dignitary possible. The rest of the U.S. is represented by a Congressional delegation led by Darrel Issa (R-CA).

Throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, important dignitaries included: King Abdullah II of Jordan, King Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister of Malta George Vella, Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti, Kuwait’s Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; United Arab Emirates Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed Bin Zayed; Dubai’s ruler and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Rashid; Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman; Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir; Swiss Vice-President Johann Schneider-Ammann; Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang; North Korean Parliament Speaker Kim Yong Nam; Angolan President Angola José Eduardo dos Santos; Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho Mothetjoa Metsing; and Deputy Chairman of African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha. Other delegations are in Egypt from Romania, Niger, Congo, and Mauritania.

While Obama has said nothing, even British Defense Secretary Fallon had an op-ed in the Egyptian government-backed Al Ahram giving fulsome praise to Egypt:  “Today I am in Ismailia to mark a momentous milestone — the opening of Egypt’s new Suez Canal. The first canal opened more than 150 years ago and took 15 years to build. This one only took a year. Egyptian imagination, ingenuity and innovation are rightly famed for creating the ancient wonders of the world. Today, the inheritors of that rich history, unveil a modern wonder.”

While pessimistic European and American talking heads try to dismiss the “modern wonder,” the international shipping industry is extremely excited. Peter Hinchliff, the secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, said “Completing the expansion in one year is astonishing.”