This Day in History: 6 October 2020
6 October 1981
39 years ago, today, Islamic extremists assassinated Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, during the annual victory parade held in Cairo that celebrated Egypt's crossing of the Suez Canal. The terrorists were led by Khalid el Islambouli, a lieutenant in the Egyptian army with connections to the terrorist group Takfir Wal-Hajira. They were all wearing their army uniforms and stopped in front of the reviewing stand to fire shots and throw grenades into a crowd of Egyptian government officials. Sadat was short four times and died two hours later. Eleven other people also died in the attack, including the Cuban ambassador.
Sadat had an incredible public service record for Egypt, as he was instrumental in winning the nation's independence and democratising it. However, his controversial peace deal with Israel, for which he and Menachem Begin won the Nobel Peace Prize, made him a target for Islamic extremists across the Middle East. Additionally, Sadat angered many by allowing the unwell Shah of Iran to die in Egypt rather than be returned to Iran, in order to stand trial for his crimes against the country. Despite the well-known threats on Sadat's life, he did not withdraw from the public eye, as he believed it was important for the country's well-being that he was open and available.
Want to find out more about the life of Anwar Sadat? Click here for more information, or here for more about the historic peace deal made between Egypt and Israel.
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