President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that exposing Egypt to unrest similar to what it experienced in 2011 could lead to severe consequences threatening the state’s stability and endurance.
He revealed that the cost of the nation’s fight against terrorism over the past 14 years exceeded LE120 billion, in addition to the sacrifices made by the country’s martyrs and injured citizens.
Preserving the state as a national priority
Speaking during the 44th Educational Symposium of the Armed Forces, titled “Nation of Heroes,” held on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the October Victory, Sisi emphasized that preserving the state and maintaining its institutions is a national priority.
He noted that Egypt fought a fierce war against terrorism that ultimately achieved security and stability, while ongoing attempts to target national awareness and tamper with the nation’s collective memory remain among the most prominent existing challenges.
Rumors and the targeting of public opinion
The president explained that rumors and deliberate attempts observed over recent months to distort awareness and incite public opinion fall within efforts aimed at destabilizing the country and causing internal turmoil in the Egyptian state.
He stressed that confronting these attempts is not the responsibility of state agencies alone, but rather a shared national duty requiring joint efforts from both the state and society.
This involves raising awareness, clarifying facts to the public, and having everyone carry out their responsibilities in their respective roles.
“Fortify your country against this conspiracy”
Sisi noted that attempts to influence citizens’ awareness and distort facts are ongoing. He warned against campaigns aimed at undermining national memory and weakening citizens’ resolve, which impacts their ability to grasp facts and distinguish right from wrong.
He affirmed that national memory serves as any nation’s first line of defense, and that tampering with or distorting it harms the future and stability of nations. He called on Egyptians across all age and social groups to hold fast to their country and fortify it against targeting and conspiracy attempts.
The president stated: “Fortify your country against this conspiracy… I am not saying fortify the president.”
Economic challenges vs. national survival
Addressing the turning points Egypt went through in 2011-2013, the president noted that God preserved the nation during those difficult periods and granted its people a new opportunity to protect the state and restore its course.
He warned that repeating unrest similar to what the country experienced in 2011 could threaten the state’s stability and survival.
The president emphasized that economic challenges can be overcome and that the primary focus must remain on preserving the state and safeguarding its existence, noting that challenges remain an inherent part of any nation’s journey across its stages of development.
Recalling 2013 and the war on terror
Discussing the events of 2013, Sisi noted that the Egyptian public looked upon him at the time as a hero, recalling the challenges the country faced during that period and the subsequent war on terrorism alongside the sacrifices made by the nation’s sons.
The president concluded his remarks by emphasizing the necessity of strengthening public awareness and illustrating the dangers of attempts to bring down states from within, reiterating that preserving the state and ensuring its continuity is a shared responsibility that demands citizen awareness and the combined efforts of state institutions and society.
