A lot has been written about the Cult of Sisi. There have been cupcakes, pop songs, a dedicated Tumblr, and even this bizarre pseudo-wedding poster.
But an article published in the pro-military Al-Ahram weekly newspaper Thursday morning took the adoration of Gen. Abdel Fatah el-Sisi to an entirely new level. It was written by Lubna Abdel Aziz, a well-known Egyptian actress from the 1960s who has made headlines before with her outspoken political beliefs.
Here are some choice excerpts from her article:
In the full vigour of his prime, he exudes a magic charm, afforded to a select few. His physical appearance — and appearance counts — is flawless....
His bronzed, gold skin, as gold as the sun's rays, hides a keen, analytical fire within. He challenges the world not with bellows and bravura but with a soft, sombre reproach, with an audible timbre of compassion.
There is almost poetry in his leadership, but the ardour of the sun is in his veins. He will lead us to victory and never renounce the struggle, and we will be right there at his side.