The Egyptian government has announced the launch of its 2026 forum preparations, dubbed "Egypt 2026" or "Forum Egypt 2026," with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi calling for citizens and experts to participate in discussions and provide feedback. The forum aims to showcase the government's achievements and will feature sessions on various topics, including healthcare and digital transformation. The government has set up a website for citizens to register and contribute to the discussions.
Meanwhile, journalists from the fact-checking platform "Matsadaqsh" have been detained by the authorities, with six journalists taken into custody over the past two days. The interior ministry has claimed that the journalists are members of the Muslim Brotherhood, but the platform has denied these allegations, stating that it is a professional news organization. The detained journalists have not been presented to investigative authorities yet.
The "Matsadaqsh" platform has continued to operate, debunking misinformation and verifying data, despite the detention of its journalists. In a statement, the platform clarified that it is not affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood or any other political organization and that its team members are Egyptian and work from within the country. The platform also denied receiving foreign funding, stating that its journalists receive regular salaries.
The detention of the journalists has sparked criticism from various parties, including political parties, media organizations, and civil society groups. They have called for the release of the detained journalists and respect for press freedom and the rights of journalists to perform their work without fear of reprisal. The incident has raised concerns about the targeting of journalists and the restriction of press freedom in Egypt.
The Egyptian government has been preparing for the 2026 forum, with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly meeting with ministers to discuss preparations and arrangements for the event. The forum will feature sessions on various topics, including healthcare and digital transformation, and will provide an opportunity for citizens to provide feedback and suggestions. The government has encouraged citizens to participate in the discussions and contribute to the forum.
In a related development, the Egyptian parliament has received an objection from President El-Sisi regarding a provision in a law establishing a new university for applied sciences within the military. The provision grants military students a monthly stipend equivalent to the salary of a lieutenant and other benefits. The president's objection aims to review the provision and prevent unequal treatment between military and civilian students.
The country's main Islamic institution, the Ministry of Awqaf, and the Coptic Orthodox Church have emphasized the importance of national unity and preserving the country's institutions. The Ministry of Awqaf has announced that Friday prayers will focus on the theme of preserving the nation and promoting national unity, while the Coptic Orthodox Church has called for promoting a positive narrative and encouraging hope and resilience among citizens.
Key points
- The Egyptian government has launched preparations for the 2026 forum.
- Journalists from fact-checking platform "Matsadaqsh" have been detained.
- The detention of journalists has sparked criticism from various parties.
