By: Yomna Walid
Photo Credit: Islam Khaled
Imagine walking down the street and spotting your country's president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, strolling through El-Gamaleya, especially in Khan El-Khalili, alongside the president of France, Emmanuel Macron. This is precisely what happened to Islam Khaled, a shop owner who was focusing on his work until he heard the crowd welcoming the Egyptian president and Macron.
Eslam Khaled, 28 years old, was thrilled to share his joy with Nile FM Radio. He recounted the behind-the-scenes moments of their visit, the selfie he managed to capture, and the unexpected memory that will stay with him forever.
Q: What was your reaction when you saw the two presidents approaching you?
"I couldn&rsquo;t believe my eyes out of sheer joy. It felt surreal&mdash;like something out of a dream. One moment we were just standing at our shop, and the next, two presidents were right in front of us. It was extreme happiness."
Q: Did you speak with President El-Sisi? What was the conversation about?
"Yes, after both presidents greeted me, President El-Sisi had a short conversation with us. He told us how important it is to take care of our country, especially because we are the heart of tourism in Egypt &mdash;we're the ones who meet the foreigners and represent the culture. He thanked us for our warm welcome and was genuinely pleased. President Macron was also very impressed with the whole atmosphere."&nbsp;
Q: Can you tell us more about how the visit happened?
"No one had any idea. It was a complete surprise for us and for the tourists in the area. President Macron was so delighted that he didn&rsquo;t want to leave. The visit just happened without any arrangements, and it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment."&nbsp;
<a href="https://ibb.co/d0V81myr"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/4ZXh91x7/Whats-App-Image-2025-04-09-at-12-54-48-PM.jpg" alt="Whats-App-Image-2025-04-09-at-12-54-48-PM" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Q: How would you describe the scene during the visit?
"It was incredibly beautiful. We were all so happy because of how humble President El-Sisi is. He walked up to people and greeted them himself. That kind of humility touched us."
Q: Did any officials contact you afterward?
"No, not really. The media reached out to us. There wasn&rsquo;t any direct communication from officials."
Q: How did people around you react after the photo went viral?
"I felt that people were genuinely happy for me. My family was so proud, and people on the streets started recognizing me and asking to take photos with me. It&rsquo;s been heartwarming."
<a href="https://ibb.co/5xXZPyQk"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/93mP7Lxh/Be-Funky-collagegery-67.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-67" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Q: How do you personally feel about the experience?
"It&rsquo;s a feeling I can&rsquo;t even begin to describe&mdash;so much pride and joy. Just knowing I was part of that historic moment is something I&rsquo;ll never forget."
Q: If you get the chance to meet El-Sisi again, what would you tell him?
"You have a strong heart, and we&rsquo;re strong because of you. Thank you for this amazing visit; we hope it happens again. We love you even more after meeting you."
What began as an ordinary day in Khan El-Khalili quickly turned into a life-changing memory for Islam Khaled. With humility and a deep sense of patriotism, he shared a moment that touched millions across Egypt. His story is a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary experiences come unplanned, and when they do, they stay with us forever.

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