Updated: Sisi attends Police Day celebrations

Police Day is commemorated every year on January 25.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese, House of Representatives Speaker Hanafy El Gebaly, Senate Speaker Abdel Wahab Abdel Razek and Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfiq.

A host of senior state officials also attended the celebration.

Sisi arrived at the headquarters of the Police Academy in New Cairo earlier in the day to attend the event.

Sisi was welcomed upon arrival by Interior Minister Tawfiq.

The military band played the national anthem. President Sisi also laid a wreath at the memorial of police martyrs.

Sisi also posed for a photo op with the prime minister and the interior minister along with members of the Supreme Police Council at the Police Academy.

Police Day commemorates resistance by Egyptian police to British occupation forces in Ismailia in 1952, which resulted in the death of dozens of police officers.

The ceremony started with a recitation of verses of the holy Quran before a documentary was played about the police battle in Ismailia in 1952 and police accomplishments until the June 30 Revolution in 2013.

Another documentary was played showing children of police martyrs as they spoke about heroic battles and sacrifices of their fathers for the sake of the homeland.

A documentary about police achievements over the past year was then played to show how the achievements contributed to reducing the rate of crimes in Egypt, as well as offering security services to citizens.

Some of the cast of a TV show, “The Choice 2”, also spoke during the ceremony stressing that art would always be a reflection of the homeland and would always promote the message of patriotism and belonging.

They also expressed willingness to embody tales of martyrs and heroes with the aim to shed light on their sacrifices for the sake of Egypt.

Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfiq then spoke to the gathering. He said that his Ministry is adopting a comprehensive strategy to upgrade the security system, preserve human rights and conduct preemptive strikes against terrorists.

The strategy also focuses on countering electronic crimes through which terrorist organizations promote rumors and false information, Tawfiq added.

Work is also underway to hone skills of human cadres and enhance their performance, the minister further said.

President Sisi then honored the names of police martyrs, bestowing on them the medals of the republic and merit.

Speaking in the ceremony, Sisi stressed that maintaining the security and safety of the state and citizens remains the highest priority that could only be realized in the presence of a well-aware police apparatus.

Policemen could prove in the Ismailia battle in 1952 that self-belief was needed to defend nations the same way ammunition always was, the president told the gathering.

Sisi paid tribute to police martyrs and their families, noting that their sacrifices won’t be forgotten.

What police do to maintain security and stability and fight terrorism tells a lot about the heroism of policemen, who are well aware of the value of belonging to this homeland, Sisi said.