The Egyptian National Identity conference started on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, with the participation of several ministers, officials, thinkers, and academics. The conference will continue for three days until Wednesday, September 23, at the library's conference center. The event aims to discuss the reality of Egyptian identity, the challenges it faces, and the role of cultural, educational, and religious institutions in promoting it.
The first day of the conference began with the registration of participants and a welcome session at 9:00 am. The opening session took place from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the main hall of the conference center, hosted by journalist Dr. Mohamed Abdo and media personality Reham Al-Dib. The session included a documentary film titled "Egyptian Identity: Rooted and Renewed," produced by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
The opening session featured speeches by Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed, director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Engineer Ayman Attia, Governor of Alexandria; and Lieutenant General Khaled Foda, advisor to the President for Local Development. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, was also scheduled to speak, but he was represented by Dr. Abdel Aziz Kansoua, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture.
The first scientific session, titled "Describing the Current Status of Egyptian Identity Elements," took place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the main hall. The session was chaired by Dr. Ali Al-Din Hilal, a professor of political science at Cairo University, and included four research papers presented by various experts, including Dr. Saeed Al-Masry, Dr. Mazen Hassan, Youssef Wardani, and Dr. Mona Al-Hadidi.
Two parallel discussion sessions took place from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, focusing on "Identity between Past, Present, and Future" and "Identity and Cultural Discourse." The sessions included participants such as Minister of Youth and Sports Joher Nabil, Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat, and Dr. Ahmed Ghanim. These sessions aimed to explore the intersections between identity, culture, and politics.
A roundtable discussion on "Identity and Building Social Cohesion" took place from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the VIP lounge. The session was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed and included participants such as Ambassador Mohamed Said Obeid, Dr. Hassan Al-Sadi, and Dr. Anwar Maghith. The discussion focused on the role of collective memory, public trust, and social cohesion in shaping Egyptian identity.
The second day of the conference is set to begin on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with a scientific session titled "Risks to National Identity." The session will feature speakers such as Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty. The conference continues to explore various aspects of Egyptian identity, its challenges, and the ways to promote and protect it.
Key points
- The conference brings together high-level officials and experts to discuss Egyptian identity and its challenges.
- The event features various sessions, including scientific and discussion panels, to explore the intersections between identity, culture, and politics.
- The conference aims to promote a deeper understanding of Egyptian identity and its role in shaping the country's future.
