Medhat Klada
Years ago, I began writing a series entitled “Great Figures of Coptic Activism,” in which I wrote about the early pioneers who carried the concerns of the homeland, the Church, and humanity — figures such as Dr. Shawky Karas, Dr. Selim Naguib, Engineer Adly Abadir, and the chemist Alphons Qallada. They truly belonged to the generation of great men and pioneers. I then continued writing about prominent patriotic Coptic personalities across various continents of the world, among them the esteemed Mrs. Nadia Ghali from Australia.
Today, I write about a noble human being, an angel who works quietly and tirelessly, dedicating his efforts with love and sincerity to both Coptic and national service. He is Engineer Magdy Mikhail, one of the honorable faces of the Egyptian Coptic community in Australia.
Engineer Magdy Saad Mikhail was born in Luxor Governorate on June 7, 1948. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Helwan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he was appointed as an engineer at the Ministry of Culture, then joined compulsory military service as a reserve officer with the rank of First Lieutenant, where he spent nearly five years serving the homeland, presenting an honorable model of the loyal Egyptian citizen.
After completing his military service, he worked in the petroleum sector in one of the Gulf countries for many years before emigrating with his family to Australia in 1987, where he began a new journey of success and giving.
In Australia, Engineer Magdy proved his competence and distinction. He worked as an engineer and senior engineer in major Australian and Canadian telecommunications companies, and also served as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of New South Wales. His professional achievements were but a reflection of his serious, organized, and sincere personality in everything he undertook.
In 1990, he was appointed as a “Justice of the Peace,” a prestigious position involving the certification and authentication of official documents and legal transactions, reflecting the great degree of trust and respect he earned within Australian society.
He also joined Rotary International — Sylvania Branch in Sydney — in 1996, and was unanimously elected president of the club for two consecutive terms in recognition of his activity and his humanitarian and community service. It was therefore no surprise that he received the international “Paul Harris Fellow” award in 2009 in appreciation of his contributions to community service and his encouragement of scientific and medical research.
In 2004, Engineer Magdy achieved a remarkable national accomplishment when he became the first Egyptian, and among the first members of non-Anglo-Saxon communities, to win membership in the local council of the City of Sutherland in Sydney as a representative of the Liberal Party. During his term from 2004 to 2008, he presented an honorable example of the honest and active public official, earning the respect of all the residents of his electoral district. Many expressed their appreciation for him through letters of thanks published in local newspapers as well as private correspondence.
No one can question the patriotism of Engineer Magdy Mikhail or his deep love for Egypt — a love he also instilled in his two daughters, who were raised outside the homeland yet remained deeply connected to Egypt’s identity and spirit.
Among his honorable patriotic positions was his letter in 2021 to former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in which he called for political intervention to help resolve the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis in defense of Egypt’s historic rights to the waters of the Nile. He also addressed a letter in 2021 to Russian President Vladimir Putin, appealing for intervention to avert the potentially catastrophic consequences for Egypt resulting from the same crisis.
He consistently stood against everything that sought to harm the Egyptian state or distort its image, defending the truth and the stability of the homeland. He also participated in numerous official meetings with Australian officials to clarify the reality of what took place in Egypt following the June 30 Revolution, rejecting attempts to portray the will of the Egyptian people as a military coup.
Despite his many responsibilities and commitments, Engineer Magdy remained deeply engaged in Coptic causes, concerned with the suffering of Copts and defending their rights — always, however, in a refined and courteous manner that reflected the true spirit of Christianity, far removed from insult, extremism, or hatred. He advocates for rights with dignity and respect and believes that the power of calm and truthful words leaves a deeper impact than any emotional outburst.
Indeed, everyone who knows Engineer Magdy Mikhail recognizes in him gracious manners, purity of heart, and sincere patriotism. He is a humble man, courageous in standing for truth, honest in his positions, loving toward all, and possessed of a great heart wide enough to embrace the homeland, the people, and service.
He is a model of the patriotic Egyptian Copt who takes pride equally in his Egyptian identity and in his faith, presenting a bright image of Copts in the diaspora — the image of a successful, sincere, and loyal individual devoted to his homeland and roots.
My dear brother, Engineer Magdy Mikhail,
May the Lord bless your life, your service, all your labor, your love, and your generosity. Despite the physical hardships you endure, your life remains an example of sacrifice, service, and sincere patriotic work.
May you continue to be a blessing to Egypt, may your giving to the Copts endure, and may your honorable presence among the sons and daughters of your homeland always remain.
Proud of you and with affection,
Medhat Klada
