Predating Iran’s Islamic Revolution by only seven months, Egypt became the first Arab Sunni country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. For his bravery in pursuing an elusive peace, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and then assassinated by young military officer and fellow Egyptian Khalid al-Islambouli in 1981. The death of Sadat, who provided temporary refuge in Egypt to Iran’s deposed Shah, was celebrated as a victory to a new generation of Islamists, those opting for conservative, political, and occasionally violent interpretations of the tenets of Islam. The new theocratic leadership in Iran, for example, quickly declared al-Islambouli an exalted martyr upon his subsequent execution for Sadat’s assassination, making him an inspirational symbol and a first among many to be recognized for devotion to political and militant efforts to promote an Islamic religious agenda. Iran’s Persian and Shia leadership also adorned the memory of the Arab Sunni assassin by issuing a postage stamp in 1982 in his honor, and until 2004, Tehran memorialized him with the eponymous Khalid Islambuli [sic] Avenue.
About the Author: Ethan Burroughs
Ethan T. Burroughs has dedicated much of the last two decades to exploring the Middle East and slowly unraveling its mysteries. His encounters have taken him to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories where he has studied the history, faith, cuisine, language, and culture of the lands which continue to grab our headlines as we search for an elusive peace. He has had the great pleasure of spending significant time with characters similar to those depicted in his accounts, including our unsung patriots in the Departments of State and Defense. He is a U.S. Army veteran, former teacher, healthcare, business, and political consultant, and aspiring storyteller. Follow him on Facebook, or on Twitter @ETBurroughs.