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Engcotec - News
2007 Bestowal
of the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
On October 5th, 2007,
Minister for Education Helmut Rau, Member of Parliament, awarded
the Cross of Merit on ribbon to Mr. Ibrahim Samak. The German
Federal President Horst Koehler had bestowed Mr. Samak with
this high merit upon the recommendation of Baden-Wuerttemberg's
premier, Guenther H. Oettinger, on September 11, 2007.
The ceremony took
place in the New Castle in Stuttgart in the presence of the
Egyptian Ambassador in Germany, Mohamed Al-Orabi. Further guests
were: ECA president Bernhard Juchniewicz, Bishop Damian, several
representants of the coptic-orthodox patriarchate as well as
other dignitaries. Numerous guests of honour had travelled to
join the ceremony.
In his speech, the
minister not only honoured Mr. Samak's professional success
in solar technology, but also his extraordinary merits for the
integration of foreigners in Germany as well as his honory engagement
for supporting the underpriviliged in Africa and for promoting
young talents. Another aspect was the strong engagement for
the youth, especially through the ecumenical youth meetings,
the European Youth Mission, which had been started by Mr. Samak.
In the private celebration
following the ceremony, which was joined by his family, friends
and other respected guests, Mr. Samak thanked all those who
supported and accompanied him on his way, with a citation from
Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
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