President Sisi attends graduation ceremony for newly trained Imams

CAIRO – 20 June 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the graduation ceremony of the third cohort of imams trained by the Ministry of Religious Endowments, named the "Imam Hassan El-Attar Class" after the former Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. The ceremony was held Saturday in the Elite Hall at the Strategic Command headquarters of the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital.

Presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy said the President opened the event by unveiling the plaque marking the official inauguration of the Elite Hall, then received a detailed briefing on the facility from Major General Walid Aref, head of the Armed Forces' Engineering Authority.

The ceremony opened with a Quran recitation, followed by remarks from Major General Mohamed Salah El-Turky, Director of the Egyptian Military Academy. The head of the Academy's Civilian Courses Branch then outlined the training program completed by the graduating class. A documentary film recapped the cohort's coursework and research, including a French-language segment highlighting their work.

According to the spokesperson, the program also included a poem recited by the top-ranking student and a short film on the course's achievements. Graduation results were announced, the graduates took their oath, and young reciter Mohamed El-Qallagy performed a religious song.

Dr. Osama El-Azhary, Minister of Religious Endowments, then spoke about the importance of preparing a new generation of preachers who are well-rounded — scientifically grounded, physically fit, and patriotic — and credited the President's continued support for this effort.

The President then invited the top ten graduates to the stage to congratulate them personally, and directed that options be explored for their continued education, including postgraduate study abroad. The ceremony closed with the national anthem.

Before leaving, the President toured the Academy's main dining hall and the VIP lounge in the Elite Hall, the spokesperson added.