The Responsibility Placed on Our Shoulders Is Serious and Significant

Translated by Shams Yousry

Reviewed by Mariam Essa

Fellow citizens:

In the name of the President and leader, I speak to you. These crowds are filled with joy and happiness. In the face of the great honor and warm welcome you have given me, I turn to Almighty God with gratitude and praise for granting me the opportunity to speak to you.

The responsibility placed upon us is serious and significant. It is a trust that carries great duties. The tremendous efforts and heavy responsibilities before us now seem lighter after witnessing the strong spirit flowing from you; a spirit filled with patriotism and enthusiasm. This makes me truly feel that the great hopes in my heart reflect what you feel, nd that the burdens we carry are responsibilities inspired by your patriotism and courage. Egypt has always held a distinguished and honored place in history.

Fellow citizens:

We are entering a decisive period in Egypt’s modern history. The whole world is watching us. It has regained its confidence in us and in our sacred revolution, which, under divine guidance, was purified of traitors and enabled, through its wise course, to secure the sovereignty of this great people.

Fellow citizens:

Our revolution sprang from hearts that had grown weary of those who ruled this people. They drained its lifeblood and exploited its efforts to satisfy their own desires and personal interests. Above them stood a negligent king, deeply attached to the pleasures and temptations of the world, surrounded by corrupt advisers who encouraged him to do as he pleased and convinced him that he would never be held accountable for his actions.

From this came our revolution, a movement for justice and a response to the long-suppressed feelings of the people. The king was removed, corruption came to an end, feudalism was abolished, and the political parties were dissolved. The people then set about drafting their own constitution, hearts opened to one another, and the Liberation Organization was established to unite the people's forces under the slogan of unity, order, and work.

Fellow citizens:

Now that this revolution has raised its head, it will never bow again. The continued presence of occupation while the revolution endures is unnatural, and it is unacceptable both to the spirit of the revolution and to its clear and compelling logic.

Fellow citizens:

Since this responsibility was entrusted to us, we have struggled to weaken the foundations of colonialism. In the south, that struggle ended with the achievement of the right to self-determination. But here in the north, we will not take pride in negotiations, as they once did. We have only one demand: leave our country.

Fellow citizens:

Only the sons of the Nile will defend the Canal, and we will not rest until the last foreign soldier has left our beloved land.

Fellow citizens:

We have only one demand: leave our country. Only the people of the Nile will defend the Canal, and we will not be satisfied until the last foreign soldier leaves our beloved land. We will never bargain over the rights of our homeland, nor will we accept any substitute for our freedom.

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Speech of Lieutenant General Gamal Abdel Nasser in Beni Suef Directorate building in front of the crowds gathered there on behalf of Major General Mohamed Naguib on March 27, 1953.