Egypt’s first lady Intissar al-Sisi made a rare public appearance on Monday when she appeared at a polling station in Cairo’s Heliopolis area to cast her vote on the first day of the country’s presidential elections.
Photos of the event appeared on the official Facebook page of the spokesperson for the presidency, which noted that it was the twelfth public appearance that Intissar has made since her husband President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won the last elections in 2014.
To recap, Egypt Independent goes through the 11 previous appearances of the first lady.
International Women’s Day
The first lady appeared earlier this year with her husband as they marked the international women’s day during an event that also was attended by a host of officials with their spouses.
BRICS Summit
During a dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2017 at a BRICS summit in China, Intissar, together with the president, attended. The dinner was organized in honor of the leaders of the BRICS countries China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South. Africa, as well as five leaders from emerging market countries, namely, Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand.
Ceremony honoring military leaders
Intissar appeared for the first time accompanied by President Sisi during a ceremony in 2014 that honored military leaders that would enter retirement.
Presidential inaguration
Intissar also appeared at the ceremony inaugurating Sisi as president after the 2014 elections at the al-Qubba Palace accompanied by late President Anwar Sadat’s wife, Jihan Sadat.
New Suez Canal dig
On June 5, 2015, the first lady went to Ismailia governorate to visit the new Suez Canal project, accompanied by the wife of a former Defense Minister and the wife of former Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahleb, where they visited the excavation site to inspect the project accompanied by officials.
Opening ceremony of the new Suez Canal
On August 6, 2015, Intissar again appeared at the opening ceremony of the new Suez Canal, accompanied by late President Anwar Sadat’s wife Jihan where they both spoke as they waited for Sisi to board the yacht El Mahrousa.
Commemoration of the October 1973 War
On October 6, 2015, the first lady attended a ceremony organized by the Egyptian Armed Forces at the Air Defense Stadium where she sat in the first row next to Jihan El-Sadat and the wives of high-ranking military leaders.
Visit to Bahrain
Egypt’s first lady has also appeared outside Egypt. On October 29, 2015, she visited Bahrain with her husbandwhere they were hosted by Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of the King of Bahrain.
Donation campaign to ‘Tahia Masr’ fund
In the footsteps of Sisi, Intessar called on all those who love Egypt to cooperate and donate to the ‘Tahia Masr’ (Long live Egypt) fund to help the poor and provide them with suitable accommodation before the winter. The request was made in November 2016 when she organized a donation campaign to the fund, also urging the Egyptian National Bank to provide donations to support development projects.
Sisi’s speech in parliament
On February 13, 2017, the first lady appeared during a speech of the president in parliament on a side balcony accompanied by their family to hear the president’s speech.
Visit to Aswan and Luxor
Finally, in February 2017, she appeared again on a tourist tour accompanied by her daughter amid intense security presence in Aswan and Luxor.
