President El-Sisi Attends Egyptian Family Iftar

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the Egyptian Family Iftar banquet held at the Air Force House.
The Iftar was also attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives
Counselor Hisham Badawi;
Speaker of the Senate Counselor Essam El Din Farid; Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly;
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark;
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Hussein Eissa; Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher; as well as a number of ministers and senior state officials and representatives from various segments of Egyptian society.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the President delivered a speech at the Iftar banquet.

Following is the President’s speech :

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful”

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

I would like to welcome you,
And many happy returns,

Ladies and gentlemen,
Honorable sons and daughters of Egypt,

At the outset, I would like to express my great pleasure and deep gratitude for being with you at this gathering that brings together the Egyptian family from every segment of the great Egyptian people.

Today, I address the Egyptian family, to which I am proud to belong, in order to provide you with an accurate perspective of current regional developments, given their direct impact on our domestic reality.
Our region today stands at a historic crossroads, facing grave challenges and rapid changes in an exceptionally critical moment.

In the East, we are exerting every possible effort to extinguish the flames of war in the Arabian Gulf, a war that carries devastating economic, humanitarian, and security repercussions that no one can prevent and which will affect everyone without exception.

At the same time, we are striving to de-escalate tensions in other Arab countries experiencing armed conflicts and disputes, whether to the east, west, or south of Egypt.
In this context, Egypt reaffirms its categorical condemnation of the attacks targeting Arab states and anything that undermines their security and stability amidst the ongoing regional war.

Egypt further reiterates its full and unwavering support for fellow Arab states and again calls for de-escalating tensions, prioritizing dialogue and reason, and adhering to the rules of General International Law and International Humanitarian Law.

These conflicts and the tense atmosphere have cast heavy shadows over the global economy, disrupting supply chains and driving up energy and food prices worldwide, and Egypt has not been immune to these repercussions.
These circumstances, in addition to the wars in Gaza and Iran, have required the government to take necessary economic measures to ensure the continued availability of strategic commodities, preserve the stability of the national economy, and protect the Egyptians’ resources.
I emphasize clearly that the state is fully aware of the scale of the pressures borne by Egyptians under these conditions.
I am aware of the negative feelings regarding the recent increase in petroleum product prices. This is something the state never wished to impose on the people or cause them hardship.
However, the requirements of reality sometimes compel difficult measures for which there is no alternative, in order to avoid options that would be far harsher and more dangerous in their consequences.

Allow me to address this point specifically and emphasize that, as a nation, we do not take any action unless it is thoroughly studied, with the understanding that the chosen option is the least costly for citizens.
The President explained that he had noticed comments and articles in the press, particularly an article that pointed that the government was not being transparent with the citizens about the facts and that it was not fulfilling its promises.

The President noted the inability to implement all we aspire to achieve and stressed that Egypt and the government were not the cause of the crises Egypt faced during the past five years. On the contrary, the state accommodated the consequences of crises and wars, taking into account that it is not a wealthy nation with a population that has reached 120 million. The state, however, strives to provide for all their needs to the best of its ability and within its means.

The President explained that the state embarked on an economic reform program in 2016. Since 2020 onwards, Egypt has faced crises and negative developments that were difficult to avoid. These resulted in Egypt losing approximately $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues, equivalent to 500 billion Egyptian pounds, which undoubtedly had an impact on the state's ability to act.

Referring back to the article, the President called on the government and relevant authorities to provide the necessary explanations to ensure clarity and transparency, particularly for those whose voices are heard and who are influential in society.

The President pointed out that petroleum products are consumed not only for cars, explaining that this is only a small portion. The President noted that the largest portion is used to operate power plants and energy facilities, explaining that Egypt consumes approximately $20 billion worth of petroleum products annually, equivalent to one trillion Egyptian pounds. The President stated that the state is striving to produce new and renewable energy, aiming to reach 42% of its energy production from these sources by 2030. Furthermore, the government is working to exceed this 42% target and achieve it before 2030.

The President asserted that if the government were to require people to pay the actual cost of electricity, it would quadruple electricity bills compared to current levels, without any profit for the state.

The President emphasized that he was keen to offer this explanation today because we are all partners in this nation, which belongs to all of us. The President noted that the government's recent decision to raise fuel prices was inevitable and stressed that the situation is stable and the government has not had to take any measures to limit consumption or reduce loads, affirming the government's commitment to improving the lives of its citizens.
The President pointed out that the events unfolding in the region require deep reflection from citizens. The President indicated that we are at a crossroads and that the circumstances are difficult, reminding of the significant losses during the events of 2010 and 2011.

The President noted that he was keen to hold the Egyptian Family Iftar today to meet with families and citizens and clarify matters, emphasizing the need to provide the necessary explanations to citizens and to maintain complete transparency. The President expressed the government's readiness to receive any well-considered suggestions that contribute to solving any problem, and stressed the importance of Egyptian unity, stating: "We must stand together and be vigilant because the region is changing and some countries are being lost due to miscalculations."
In this regard, it is neither logical nor fair to continue borrowing in foreign currency to cover these needs. The same applies to gas and other commodities, while we must ensure the availability of petroleum products to operate power stations and factories.
Continuing along this path would lead to a vicious cycle of accumulating debt unless decisive and exceptional measures are taken.
Nevertheless, the state remains keen to avoid raising the prices of basic commodities and continues to monitor markets to prevent any exploitation.
I emphasize that the government must strictly scrutinize this matter, deal firmly with anyone proven to be involved in exploitation, and refer them to trial. I had previously stated that those should be referred to military trial.

In parallel, the state continues to provide subsidized goods to the most vulnerable families within the limits of available resources, out of the belief in its national duty and social responsibility toward the people.
Within the same framework, I have directed the government to accelerate the launch of a new social support package targeting the most vulnerable groups, as well as low- and middle-income citizens, in order to ensure greater social protection during this critical stage.
We believe that reform is not an option but an imperative, and that building a strong economy is the true guarantor for the future of the nation and its children.
Regarding what was previously raised about the level of artistic works and drama programs and their impact on the Egyptian family, we have noticed some positive progress this year in this regard. I call for even more constructive efforts in the works presented to our authentic people. Artistic works have to serve as a mirror to the Egyptian family’s deep-rooted values and an embodiment of their civilized awareness, actively contributing to building a national consciousness worthy of Egypt’s status and reflecting its cultural message throughout the ages.

Distinguished guests,
Once again I welcome you and express my pleasure to be with you. You are the nucleus of the great Egyptian family, to which the Egyptian state devotes its full care.

I reaffirm my pledge, before Allah the Almighty and before you, to continue working with full sincerity and dedication to protect this nation, safeguard its stability, and create a brighter future for its children.
I assure you, with full confidence and faith in Allah the Almighty, that no matter how great the challenges become, or how much conflicts and crises escalate in our regional surroundings, Egypt—with Allah’s help and through your unity, awareness, and understanding—will remain proud and steadfast, defiant against anyone who dares to harm it or undermine its interests and stature.

May Allah protect Egypt and its people and guide us all toward what is best for the nation and its stability.

Many happy returns, as we approach the blessed Eid al-Fitr.

Long live Egypt. Long live Egypt. Long live Egypt.

May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you all.