Sisi blames evil forces for lack of stability in Middle East

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi launched on Sunday the World Youth Forum, calling on the Egyptian and global youth to adopt objective dialogue and peaceful coexistence without discriminating against age, race, sex or party in order to build the future and civilization. He also said: “Terrorism violates our humanity and resisting it is a human right.”

“Egypt seeks to play its historical role in shaping a vision for peace and stability," he continued, adding that Cairo is engaged in two parallel wars, one against terrorism and another for development and construction. Held at the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, the forum, which concludes on Thursday, brings together over 3,200 youths from 113 states representing different parts of the world under the slogan of "We Need to Talk."

The event includes 46 sessions and workshops to discuss various key issues, including the employment of youth to achieve sustainable development, as well as fighting terrorism, extremism and illegal immigration. Sisi asserted that the future vision of Egypt’s youth is derived from their Pharaonic ancestors, who built the first human civilization and set the initial principles of stability and peace in the world.

Among the most prominent participants at the forum were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Ruler of Sharjah Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qasimi, Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid bin Daghr, Lebanese Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, Jordanian Prince Hassan bin Talal and the United Nations envoy to Egypt.

In one year, Egypt has managed to organize five youth conferences, starting from October 2016 in Sharm El Sheikh. Conferences were scheduled to be held periodically in several governorates, including Aswan, Alexandria and Ismailia. The World Youth Forum was the first to include international participants.

A number of state officials and youth representatives gave speeches during the opening session on Sunday evening, including the administrator of the UN Development Program Achim Steiner, who attended on behalf of UN Secretary General Antonio Guiterres.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered 10 messages to the world during the first day of the World Youth Forum, held in Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh. The most prominent of which was for the world to avoid the clash of civilizations, and the destructive consequences of fallen states. First, Egypt will honor all athletes in all sports who exerted effort who have not yet been honored.

Second, Egypt is currently facing great challenges, pointing out that he is interested in engaging into a dialogue with young people because they represent the real power of Egypt. Third, Sisi talked about the rehabilitation of young people through the National Academy for Science and Skills, which is set to be inaugurated in 2018 in 6th of October City. Fourth, he stressed the importance of creating job opportunities for the youth.

“I am interested in providing job opportunities and am exerting the most effort through national projects and soft loans initiative,” he said. Fifth, Sisi mentioned that Egypt wants to become a modern, democratic civilian state. Sixth, he talked about the importance of social housing to serve all classes which leads to social integration “We aim to complete the housing program for slum dwellers on June 30, 2018,” he said.

Seventh, the clash between civilizations occurs because there is an attempt by some to impose their own beliefs on others, he said explaining that diversity and differences between civilizations are a normal global phenomenon. Eighth, Sisi said the most important cause of the clash of civilizations is the feeling of superiority towards others.

“Understand, interact and tolerate (difference) with others. Cherish your religion, nationality and race, but do not collide with others, only be proud and not arrogant,” he added. Ninth, he talked about the detention of a number of young Egyptians. Sisi said that one of the requests he repeatedly received during youth conferences was to review the situation of young people in custody. He assured that he will form a committee for this purpose.

He concluded saying that everyone should work for the sake of the country so it will not fall. “If the state falls, its land and people get exploited,” he said.

He also affirmed Monday that there is real political will to empower young people within Egyptian society. He added in a short speech during “The Egyptian Experience, Future in the Making” session that there is “no real clash of civilizations within our societies, but there is ego-centrism, selfishness and disrespect for different cultures.”

Talking about the presidential leadership program, Sisi said that it was initially a young person’s idea to establish a platform which enables all youth to have a real chance to voice their opinions within society.  

“Our forum today was another idea of one of the youth as well, which we decided to turn into an annual event in parallel with the regular youth meeting,” Sisi added.

Furthermore, Sisi talked about the challenges Egypt is facing regarding youth employment and providing job opportunities. Sisi also noted that he is completely aware of the Egyptian athletes who achieve great awards in international competitions, affirming that they will receive the appreciation they deserve from the country.

On Sunday, President Sisi inaugurated the World Youth Forum, welcoming all participants including youth and world leaders. In his speech, Sisi spoke fervently about the danger that terrorism poses on all humanity and Egypt’s fight against extremism.