Sisi: Preserving the State is a Red Line; Awareness is Essential to Counter Attempts to Shatter National Memory

Cairo – Khadija Hamouda

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reiterated the importance of raising awareness and countering attempts to undermine national memory, particularly on social media platforms. He noted that such efforts were prevalent in the period preceding 2014, and emphasized that attempts to influence a large, pivotal state, or to marginalize or dismantle its role, would not cease. He described this as a struggle waged by the state and its people.

This statement was made during the opening session of the “Egypt Forum 2026” at the conference center of the St. Regis Hotel in the New Capital, attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Hesham Badawi, Chairman of the Shura Council Essam El-Fiqi, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, as well as ministers and senior state officials.

Spokesman for the Presidency Mohamed El-Shenawy clarified that the President, in his remarks during the session, stressed that during the preparation for this forum, priority was given to providing accurate and comprehensive data by the government, listening to all opinions, discussing them, and accepting any criticism within this framework.

The President emphasized that his repeated references to the events of 2011 aimed to evoke memory and awareness, and to underscore the importance of preserving the Egyptian state, especially for children and youth who did not live through that period. He noted that while differences in viewpoints are permissible, there is a line that cannot be crossed: the preservation of the state.

El-Sisi pointed out that the stability achieved in recent years did not come without cost and bloodshed. Egypt has made significant sacrifices, including the martyrdom of its sons from the armed forces, police, judiciary, and worshippers in mosques and churches, as well as the financial resources expended to achieve stability and combat terrorism. He reiterated the importance of continuing to remind the public of the insecurity experienced in the country between 2011 and 2013, stressing the necessity of stability in the hearts of the people.

Responding to concerns raised during the session regarding the risks of using social media, the President affirmed that moderation and avoiding excess are required in all matters, especially given the ongoing attempts to isolate individuals, incite, and mobilize groups of citizens to destroy their country. He highlighted the responsibility resting on Egyptian families to strike a balance between technological advancement and supervising their children’s use of various technological means.

The President explained that the forum aims to discuss all initiatives implemented across different state sectors, presenting the situation before and after development. It seeks to allow citizens to closely follow progress made within the constraints and available resources to solve previously intractable problems, and to reassure them about their country’s future. He noted that while everyone departs, Egypt remains.

He recalled that in the previous period, Egyptians embarked on a genuine phase of state-building. Although the risks associated with every decision were high, they were necessary, taking into account Egypt’s population growth, which approached 30 million since 2011.

The President called on all citizens to focus during the forum’s sessions on the details and data to be presented, given their impact on the public. He indicated that the government would present during the forum’s sessions what it has accomplished in the past, the situation had those measures and steps not been taken, and what is expected in the future.