Latest news with #Sisi
Middle East
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// President Sisi asserts Egypt's full commitment to preserving St. Catherine Monastery
CAIRO, May 30 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi affirmed Egypt's full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai and to ensuring that it is not violated. He noted that a recent judicial ruling in this regard reinforces this commitment and aligns with Egypt's utmost keenness on the sanctity of religious sites, as well as the cultural, spiritual, and religious significance of the monastery. That came in a telephone call President Sisi had received from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy stated that both sides reiterated their great interest in the big momentum in relations between the two friendly countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing strategic ties between the two countries in various fields, he added. (MENA) Y R E/M O H
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Egypt could close world's oldest Christian monastery
Egypt could close the oldest continuously functioning monastery in the world, prompting fury from Christians. St Catherine's, at the foot of Mount Sinai, was built by the order of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I between 548 and 565 and has operated as a religious community ever since. However, a court ruling in Cairo has sparked fears that the Orthodox institution will be forcibly turned into a museum and its approximately 20 monks evicted. According to the Egyptian press, the court ordered that ownership of the monastery's land be transferred to the Egyptian state. It has been reported that the decision was taken so the building could be converted into a museum. Less than a month ago, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt's president, publicly reassured the Greek government that the monastery would continue. Late on Thursday, his office issued a statement pledging 'full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery and preventing its violation'. However, there is widespread concern in the Christian world that the court ruling will result in the forcible closure of the monastery and the eviction of the monks. Mount Sinai holds theological significance because it is reputed to be where God spoke to Moses through the burning bush, tasking him with leading the chosen people out of Egypt. It is also the reported location where the 10 Commandments were handed down to Moses. St Catherine's Basilica, with its intricate mosaics, is considered a treasure trove of Byzantine-era religious art. News of the court ruling prompted an impassioned protest from Ierenemos II, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. 'Following yesterday's scandalous ruling, a violent infringement of human rights and, more specifically, of religious freedoms by Egypt's judicial authorities, the world's oldest Orthodox Christian monument, the Monastery of Mount Sinai, is entering a period of great trial – one that evokes memories of darker times in history,' a statement read. 'I unequivocally condemn any attempt to alter the longstanding status that has prevailed in this region for fifteen centuries. I call upon the responsible Greek government – and personally upon prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis [of Greece] – to take immediate and appropriate action to restore lawful order and ensure that the Holy Monastery is not effectively abolished.' Meanwhile, Greek government sources said they would attempt to work with the Egyptian authorities to hold the country to the commitments given by President Sisi during his visit to Greece on May 7. A spokesman for Mr Sisi's office said: 'The Presidency affirms that the recent court ruling consolidates this status, aligning with the points President El-Sisi emphasised during his recent visit to Athens on May 7. 'The Presidency also affirms the importance of preserving the close and fraternal relations that bind the two countries and peoples and ensuring that they are not jeopardised.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Egypt Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
PM: State Continues Cooperation with Partners to Capitalize on Promising Chances in Energy
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed that the state continues to pursue its approach of maintaining cooperation with partners to ensure the best use of promising opportunities in Egypt's energy sector, serving the mutual interests of all parties. He emphasized the government's ongoing efforts to take necessary measures to ensure this. These statements came during the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by the premier on Wednesday May 28, 2025. He highlighted the recent activities of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, including his meeting two days ago with the delegation of American businessmen participating in the Egypt-US Economic Forum, held in Cairo. The president also met with the president of the US Chamber of Commerce, the chairman of the US-Egypt Business Council, and the chairman of Apache Corporation, in addition to representatives of various American companies. Madbouly noted that during these meetings, President Sisi emphasized Egypt's readiness to collaborate with the US business community and investors in all areas of mutual interest. The president also expressed Egypt's aspiration to establish a US industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, affirming the country's willingness to provide the necessary facilities to American investors. The prime minister reiterated the government's welcoming stance toward US investments, expressing its readiness to offer needed support and remove any obstacles to ensure the success of American companies and investors in Egypt. This aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to empower the private sector and broaden its role in driving economic development. In this context, Madbouly mentioned that President al-Sisi's meeting with the CEO of Shell Global, during which the president emphasized Egypt's efforts to improve the investment climate and address any challenges investors might face. He also stressed the government's keenness to honor financial commitments of companies in order to build mutual trust. The prime minister also referred to his meeting with the vice president of ExxonMobil for Exploration, noting that the government expressed its willingness to provide all possible support and incentives to the company to accelerate drilling operations in the 'Cairo' and 'Masry' concession areas. At the beginning of the Cabinet meeting, the prime minister extended his congratulations to President Sisi, the Egyptian people, members of the government, and all civil servants on the occasion of the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah and the upcoming Eid al-Adha, praying that the blessed occasion brings prosperity and blessings to Egypt and the entire Arab and Islamic nations. In light of the upcoming Eid holiday, Madbouly emphasized the need for all state agencies and local authorities to be fully prepared, ensuring the provision of various public services during the holiday. He stressed the importance of readying parks, public gardens, tourist sites, and archaeological areas to welcome citizens during the Eid holiday, in addition to the preparedness of utilities and service departments. He underscored the continued operation of markets, exhibitions, and mobile outlets to provide essential and strategic goods to citizens at reasonable prices, particularly through the 'One-Day Market' initiative, suggesting its expansion to cover more areas across the governorates. Madbouly instructed the ministers of supply and internal trade, agriculture and land reclamation, petroleum and the governors to take all necessary measures to ensure the availability of strategic goods and petroleum products across the country especially in coastal areas with intensified daily monitoring throughout the holiday to meet citizens' needs.
Egypt Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
President Sisi follows up on latest updates of ‘Digilians' initiative
CAIRO – 28 May 2025: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and Director of the Egyptian Military Academy Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher on Wednesday. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President Sisi followed up on the latest pertinent to the 'Digilians" initiative, mainly the executive procedures for joining, as the initiative is set to be operative by September 2025. The procedures reviewed included the establishment of a registration platform, the completion of the technological and engineering preparations, and the necessary infrastructure to implement the initiative on time. The Minister of Communications and Information Technology explained that the initiative is open to all young men and women, from different academic and professional disciplines, and from all governorates. The selection process will be conducted objectively. He also noted that the study will include multiple programs, including an intensive diploma, a specialized diploma, a professional master's degree, and an academic master's degree, all of which will be offered completely free of charge, including accommodation, living expenses, and training. The curriculum will include a comprehensive set of technical, personal, linguistic, life and leadership skills, in addition to freelancing skills. President Sisi also reviewed the initiative's tracks, including the development of students' technical skills. Agreements are being concluded with international and local companies operating in Egypt to receive trainees in the initiative after completing the duration of theoretical study to acquire technical skills. This is while focusing on supporting them in presenting an idea for a profitable technology-based project, and participating in Egypt's digital projects. Furthermore, all trainees will be assisted in creating an account on freelancing platforms and securing practical projects. President Sisi stressed the need to complete all the executive procedures related to implementing the initiative on time, while considering ways to expand the base of beneficiaries of the initiative to achieve a significant leap in the number and quality of trained personnel in the field of communications and information technology. President Sisi also gave directives to cooperate with specialized entities in various technological sciences, both locally and internationally, to develop the linguistic, life, and leadership skills of Egyptian youth, in light of the state's strategy to build digital capabilities and technology-specialized cadres. The President also emphasized the importance of continuing to implement digital transformation plans and further develop the state's technological infrastructure.
Middle East
3 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// Sisi urges youths, families to focus on education aligned with digitized job market
CAIRO, May 28 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednesday called on young people and families to focus within the coming period on education that aligns with digitized labor market. The President made the remarks during his meeting with Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and Director of the Egyptian Military Academy Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher. Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El Shennawy said President El Sisi followed up on the latest pertinent to the 'Digilians" initiative with a focus on the executive procedures for joining. The initiative is to come into force by September 2025. The procedures included the establishment of a registration platform, the completion of the technological and engineering preparations, and the necessary infrastructure to implement the initiative on time. The minister of Communications and Information Technology explained that the initiative is open to all young men and women, from different academic and professional disciplines, and from all governorates. The selection process will be conducted objectively. He also noted that the study will include multiple programs, including an intensive diploma, a specialized diploma, a professional master's degree, and an academic master's degree, all of which will be offered completely free of charge, including accommodation, living expenses, and training. The curriculum will include a comprehensive set of technical, personal, linguistic, life and leadership skills, in addition to freelancing skills. President Sisi also reviewed the initiative's tracks, including the development of students' technical skills. Agreements are being concluded with international and local companies operating in Egypt to receive trainees in the initiative after completing the duration of theoretical study to acquire technical skills. Furthermore, all trainees will be assisted in creating an account on freelancing platforms and securing practical projects. President Sisi stressed the need to complete all the executive procedures related to implementing the initiative on time, while considering ways to expand the base of beneficiaries of the initiative to achieve a significant leap in the number and quality of trained personnel in the field of communications and information technology. President Sisi also gave directives to cooperate with specialized entities in various technological sciences, both locally and internationally, to develop the linguistic, life, and leadership skills of Egyptian youth, in light of the state's strategy to build digital capabilities and technology-specialized cadres. The president also emphasized the importance of continuing to implement digital transformation plans and further develop the state's technological infrastructure. (MENA) Y R E/S R E
