In 1977, when then-President Anwar Sadat met with Student Union representatives from around Egypt, Sabahi became well-known by openly expressing his disapproval of Sadat's economic policies and the alleged corruption of his government.
In 1977, after the mass anti-government protests, then-President Anwar Sadat met with Student Union representatives from around Egypt and it was there that Sabahi became well-known among Egyptians. He openly expressed his disapproval of Sadat's economic policies and the alleged corruption of his government.