Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Sisi marks Laylat al-Qadr, calls for regional de‑escalation
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday attended a ceremony marking Laylat al-Qadr, one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar, held by the Ministry of Endowments at the Manara International Conference Center in New Cairo, the presidency said.
The event was attended by senior officials including parliament speaker Hisham Badawi, senate speaker Essam el-Din Farid, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Defence Minister Ashraf Salem Zahir and Endowments Minister Osama el-Azhari.
According to presidential spokesman Mohamed el-Shenawy, the ceremony opened with Qur’an recitation, followed by documentary films and performances from finalists of the “Dawlat al-Tilawa” (State of Recitation) programme. Sisi also launched a new digital platform for Egypt’s Qur’an Radio, described as a message of goodwill “from Egypt to the world.”
The celebration included tributes to Egypt’s renowned Qur’an reciters and the release of a documentary series honouring their legacy. Sisi later presented awards to winners of national recitation competitions as well as the 32nd International Holy Qur’an Competition.
In a speech, Sisi extended greetings to Egyptians and Muslims worldwide, calling Laylat al‑Qadr a night of “renewal and spiritual devotion.” He praised the Dawlat al‑Tilawa project as an example of Egyptian cultural leadership and said he hoped to see similar achievements “in science, innovation and language.”
Sisi said Egypt was pressing ahead “day and night” with development efforts to build what he calls the “new republic,” insisting that current projects would benefit future generations.
He also used the occasion to call for de‑escalation in regional conflicts, condemning “attacks on sister Arab states” and urging serious negotiations to end ongoing crises. “Peace is the essence of existence,” he said.
Sisi concluded with a prayer for Egypt’s security and stability, wishing citizens well for the remainder of Ramadan.