Anvar aSadat Ruler of Egypt, NObel Peace Prize 1978 (shared with Begin) Date of Birth: 25.12.1918 Country: Egypt

Biography of Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat was the President of Egypt and a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978, along with Menachem Begin. He was born on December 25, 1918, in Mit Abu al-Kum, Egypt.

Sadat's political career started in the 1930s when he joined the Egyptian nationalist movement, which aimed to end British occupation in Egypt. He was imprisoned several times for his involvement in anti-British activities. After his release from prison in 1946, Sadat became a member of the Free Officers Movement, a group of military officers who aimed to overthrow the Egyptian monarchy.

In 1952, the Free Officers Movement successfully overthrew King Farouk, and Gamal Abdel Nasser became the leader of Egypt. Sadat served as Nasser's deputy and played a significant role in shaping Egypt's domestic and foreign policies. He was known for his strong anti-Western stance and his commitment to Arab unity and socialism.

After Nasser's death in 1970, Sadat became the President of Egypt. He embarked on a new political course, known as the "Corrective Revolution," which aimed to liberalize the Egyptian economy and move away from the socialist policies of the Nasser era. Sadat also sought to resolve the long-standing conflict with Israel through peaceful means.

In 1977, Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem, becoming the first Arab leader to officially visit Israel. This visit paved the way for negotiations that culminated in the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978. The accords led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, ending decades of hostility between the two countries. For his efforts in achieving peace, Sadat, along with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.

Despite his achievements in foreign policy, Sadat faced significant opposition at home. His economic reforms and liberalization policies were met with resistance from conservative factions within Egypt. Additionally, his peace treaty with Israel was seen by many Arab countries as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. Sadat's decision to align Egypt with the United States further alienated him from other Arab nations.

On October 6, 1981, during a military parade commemorating the anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Sadat was assassinated by a group of Islamist extremists. The assassination shocked the world and raised questions about the security measures in place to protect the Egyptian president.

Anwar Sadat's legacy is a complex one. While he is celebrated for his efforts in achieving peace with Israel, he is also criticized for his authoritarian rule and suppression of political dissent. Nevertheless, his role in shaping the modern history of Egypt and the Middle East cannot be understated.