Waving Flags, Warm Greetings, Hopes for Closer Indonesia–Egypt Ties

The state visit of President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Indonesia on Sunday (10/11) extended beyond the Presidential Palace Complex. From early morning, a welcoming atmosphere had already filled the area around the National Monument (Monas) and the route leading to Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

Members of the public and students lined the route, waving flags and holding welcoming signs. A procession of mounted troops, cultural performances, and rows of students added to the festive atmosphere as President El-Sisi made his way to the Palace.

Cantika and Shinta, residents of Bandung, were among thousands of people who witnessed the welcome ceremony firsthand. The two had initially planned only to take a walk and exercise around Monas.

“We saw the mounted troops welcoming the Egyptian President here earlier. It was amazing and really cool,” Cantika said.

For the two women, the experience was special because a scene they would normally watch on television was now unfolding right before their eyes. The moment became even more memorable when President El-Sisi briefly rolled down his vehicle window and greeted the crowd.

For Cantika and Shinta, however, the morning’s welcome was more than just a spectacle. They expressed their hope that the meeting between President El-Sisi and President Prabowo Subianto would bring the two countries closer together and deliver tangible benefits to their people.

“We hope that cooperation between Indonesia and Egypt will continue to improve and grow stronger, and that people like us will benefit from this cooperation,” Cantika said.

Zafira and Berliana, residents of West Jakarta who were also exercising when they saw the area around Monas filled with students carrying flags, shared similar impressions.

“The mounted troops were the most impressive part. They were amazing, there were so many of them, and their formation was very orderly,” Zafira said.

Amid the festivities, the two women hoped the state visit would further strengthen relations between Indonesia and Egypt.

“We hope Indonesia and Egypt can cooperate well and maintain good relations in the years to come,” she said.

The students were equally enthusiastic. Khanaya, a student at state senior high school SMAN 117 Jakarta, said she was delighted to take part in welcoming a foreign head of state in person for the first time.

“I was really happy. This was my first time welcoming a president from another country,” she said.

For her, the highlight was the moment President El-Sisi rolled down his vehicle window and greeted the crowd.

“I was so happy because this was also the first time I had greeted a president from another country,” Khanaya said.

She hoped the visit would benefit not only relations between the two governments but also future generations.

“I hope cooperation between the two countries will benefit future generations and Indonesia as well,” she said.

Bilques, who also attends SMAN 117 Jakarta, expressed a similar hope.

“I hope the cooperation will go well and produce various outcomes that are genuinely beneficial to both countries,” she said.

That morning, the welcome for the Egyptian President was marked not only by mounted troops, cultural performances, and waving flags. Amid the crowds waving their hands, there were also hopes that the Egyptian President’s visit would open up more opportunities for cooperation, bring the two nations closer together, and deliver benefits for generations to come. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (AY/MMB)