The Presidency
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended the 43rd Cultural Symposium organized by the Armed Forces, marking Egypt’s celebrations of Martyr’s and Veteran’s Day. The event was held at Al-Manara International Conference Center.
The event was attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Counselor Hisham Badawi; Speaker of the Senate Counselor Essam El Din Farid; Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly; Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Hussein Eissa; Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher; Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa; as well as ministers, senior state officials, and a number of senior military commanders.
Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said the celebration began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a presentation on “The Status of the Martyr / Awareness / Love of the Homeland.” This was followed by a video display at the Memorial in Al-Shaab Square in the New Capital, concluding with the performance of the Martyrs’ Anthem at the square.
Next, a segment titled “Our Martyrs in Our Hearts” was presented using Artificial Intelligence technology, followed by a documentary titled “Lest We Forget.” The program also featured a song titled “You Are the Hero,” a documentary titled “The Martyr’s Dream,” and another film titled “The Mission: Protecting the Homeland.” The presentations concluded with the operetta “100 Million Devotees.”
The President then honored a number of martyrs’ families and those wounded in military operations, after which he delivered a speech marking the occasion.
President El-Sisi’s Speech at the Armed Forces 43nd Cultural Symposium
“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”
Ladies and gentlemen, honorable attendees,
Today, we gather on a cherished annual occasion, precious to the hearts of all Egyptians; we gather to celebrate Martyr’s Day. This day embodies far more than a memory. It reignites in our souls the profound meanings of gratitude, loyalty and devotion and revives in our conscience the values of selflessness and ultimate sacrifice. It is a day on which we immortalize the memory of men who were true to their covenant with Allah the Almighty. They offered their pure souls as a sacrifice for the homeland, driven by the firm belief that the nation is a sacred trust, its protection is an honor, and martyrdom in its cause is an eternal glory.
The martyrs laid down their lives in defense of the soil of this nation, to preserve its dignity, guarantee its security, and safeguard its stability, and for the homeland to remain lofty and resilient, capable of sustaining its journey of construction and development, while striving to shape the envisioned future for the great people of Egypt.
As Egypt commemorates the memory of its martyrs, it reaffirms its covenant to their noble families, asserting that they remain forever in our hearts and minds. This nation shall remain eternally loyal to them, steadfast in its support, and proud of their sacrifices throughout the ages. The path of martyrdom is enduring, and the people of Egypt shall stand forever united, safeguarding our nation’s rights and the resources of our people against the greed of transgressors and the venom of the vengeful.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our region is navigating a pivotal and existential crisis. The ongoing war will inevitably yield grave humanitarian, economic and security ramifications. Therefore, as Egypt condemns the aggression against its fellow Arab nations, it calls for an immediate opportunity to end the war and pursue peaceful resolutions. For there can be no settlement without dialogue, no resolutions without negotiation, and no peace without a mutual understanding that guarantees security, safeguards resources, and protects peoples from the scourges of war.
In this same vein, I must address the Palestinian cause, which represents the core of the conflict in the Middle East. Egypt’s position remains unequivocal and unshakable: there can be no peace without justice, and no stability without an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We categorically reject any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land. This remains a ‘red line’, one that Egypt shall never permit to be transgressed.
The achievement of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, within the framework of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan, marks a pivotal milestone in the history of this conflict. Today, we reaffirm our vehement rejection of any attempts to circumvent or disrupt this agreement. We also emphasize the imperative of expediting the unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid, commencing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and launching a credible political process, conducive to the establishment of a Palestinian State, as it remains the sole path toward ending this tragedy and realizing a just and enduring peace in the region.
In the same context, we warn against any attempts to foment strife within the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa. These are highly perilous ventures that will precipitate repercussions beyond any party’s capacity to contain; no entity shall be beyond the reach of its devastating consequences.
Egypt, which persistently advocates for cooperation and integration with brotherly nations in the Nile Basin, shall not tolerate any attempts to plunge the region into futile conflicts that jeopardize both its present stability and future destiny.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Despite the surrounding regional and international circumstances and the magnitude of the challenges we face, our economy remains within a zone of stability and resilience, as attested by the relevant international financial institutions.
It is our hope that the ongoing war in the region will not yield further economic repercussions that impact Egypt, as has been the case since October 2023. During this period, we have sustained losses nearing ten billion dollars in Suez Canal revenues as a result of the war in Gaza, in addition to other direct and indirect consequences of this war.
I reiterate that Egypt’s greatest distinction lies in its noble people, their enlightened awareness and unbreakable unity. Their cohesion remains unshakable in the face of challenges and shifting global dynamics, matched only by their steadfast resolve to build and persevere. The Egyptian people are the true bedrock of our national journey, dedicated to the development of the Egyptian individual, the cultivation of expertise, and the empowerment of the brightest minds. Together, we strive toward our grand ambition: for Egypt to assume its rightful and prominent status among the developed nations of the world.
Distinguished guests,
The celebration of Martyrs’ Day transcends mere rhetoric; it is a renewed covenant to safeguard the ideals for which they sacrificed. It is a commitment to work with sincerity and diligence for the advancement of Egypt, and to instill within our youth a profound love for the homeland and a devotion to its defense, each within their respective roles and fields. I solemnly pledge before Allah the Almighty that we shall persist in our tireless endeavors to realize the aspirations and ambitions of our venerable people in the immediate future.
May Allah the Almighty bestow His mercy upon Egypt’s righteous martyrs; may He render their sacrifices a light that illuminates our path toward the future, and their memory a catalyst that drives our endeavors to achieve the preeminence and prosperity of this great nation.
“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”
“And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision”
“Truthful is Allah the Magnificent”
Always and Forever:
Long Live Egypt
Long Live Egypt
Long Live Egypt
Thank you and many happy returns
May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you
