Egypt's January 25 Revolution was a revolt led by devoted youth who were looking forward to a better future and reality, declared President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday.
Sisi was speaking during the 69th Police Day celebrations at the Police Academy in New Cairo, which coincided with the tenth anniversary of the January Revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.
Addressing the youth, Sisi said: “Your country needs your young arms and sincere efforts to complete the path of reform, construction, and development, and fulfill the hopes of all Egyptians for a bright future that provides all citizens with equal opportunities to have a decent life.”
Each year, supporters and opponents of the January Revolution debate the achievements of the movement in the country.
The opponents hold those who launched the uprising responsible for the “chaos” in the country, while supporters defend their goals of “freedom and social justice” as values praised in the constitution.
Police Day marks the anniversary of the Ismailiyah Battle in 1952 when Egyptian police officers refused to hand over their weapons to the British occupation and evacuate the Ismailiyah governorate building.
Sisi said the “glorious” battle embodies police heroism and the values of sacrifice, redemption and courage in defense of the homeland.
“Our celebration today marks an unforgettable occasion reminiscent of the nation’s rich memory of the lofty meanings and values for which our heroes sacrificed their precious lives.”
The president warned of destabilizing changes in the world and region and the dangers of terrorism.
“It [terrorism] has become a clear tool for managing conflicts and implementing conspiracies and plots,” he remarked, stressing the need for “constant vigilance and collective efforts to thwart any desperate attempts to destabilize the safety and stability of Egypt.”
He applauded the important efforts to achieve comprehensive development and create a better future for the coming generations.
He also addressed the economic reform and the steadily improving indicators, “despite the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic which caused grave and structural difficulties for most emerging economies in the world.”
