How to Pronounce Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Meaning and Context

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, is a pivotal and polarizing figure in modern Middle Eastern politics. Elected to the presidency in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2023, his tenure follows a distinguished and influential career in the Egyptian military, where he served as Minister of Defense. El-Sisi rose to national prominence by leading the July 2013 coup that ousted the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated President Mohamed Morsi, an event his government describes as a popular revolution. His administration has prioritized national security, large-scale infrastructure projects like the New Administrative Capital, and stringent economic reforms as part of an IMF agreement, while simultaneously facing intense international scrutiny over Egypt's human rights record and political freedoms. The Sisi government's foreign policy has balanced maintaining a critical peace treaty with Israel, navigating complex relations with Gulf states, and asserting Egypt's strategic role in regional stability amidst conflicts in Libya and Gaza.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and most widely accepted transliteration from Arabic is Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. However, numerous variations exist due to differences in transliteration systems and media preferences. Common alternative spellings include Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (substituting "el-" with "al-"), Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, and Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The prefix "Abdel" is sometimes written as "Abd el-" or "Abd al-". A frequent typo or simplification is Abdel Fattah Sisi, omitting the definitive article entirely. In Arabic, his name is written as عبد الفتاح السيسي, and it is important to note that the correct pronunciation emphasizes the double "s" sound. Journalistic sources, particularly in Western media, may also use the stylized Abdel Fattah el-Sissi or the abbreviated President Sisi.

Example Sentences

Following the 2011 Arab Spring, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emerged from the military establishment to become a defining leader of Egypt's modern era.

Critics argue that the government of President el-Sisi has consolidated power through a widespread crackdown on dissent and media freedoms.

Supporters credit el-Sisi's economic reforms and megaprojects with stabilizing the nation after a period of turmoil.

The 2013 ouster of Mohamed Morsi, orchestrated by then-General el-Sisi, remains a deeply divisive moment in recent Egyptian history.

International diplomats frequently engage with el-Sisi's administration due to Egypt's crucial role in mediating conflicts in the region.

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