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MONUFIA, EGYPT, Dec. 25-- Egypt commemorated on Tuesday the 100th birthday of late President Anwar al-Sadat, always known for his contributions to the peace progress in the Middle East. In his birthplace, Mit Abu al-Kum, some 75 km far from the capital, the village people gathered around his house which had been turned into a museum to commemorate the birth date of their leader. "President Sadat is a symbol of peace for the whole Arab nation," said Soliman Shenawy, an agricultural engineer in the village. "We feel proud and honor to live here, where President Sadat once lived, took historical decisions, and met with the world top leaders," Shenawy told Xinhua. He still remembers when Sadat shook his hands while heading to the mosque. "The president was very humble, and helped the farmers re-establish their houses with his own money." The late president's birthday was celebrated by the villagers, the governor of Monufia along with other officials, and army men, inside the 200-square-meter museum. The house where the museum is located was built in 1962 when Sadat was chairman of the parliament. It was attached to a villa and vast gardens. The museum contains the late president's army uniform, the suit he wore when he delivered his famous speech in the Knesset (parliament) in Israel, books, shoes, and photos with world leaders. The museum that was established in 2006 is visited by around 10,000 people annually, said Attiya Atef, manager of the museum, adding it also opens for students who study the history of Sadat. | 
