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The Faculty of Arts at Ain Shams University organized a seminar entitled “Sinai: The Will of a Nation (War – Peace – Development)” under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, and Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and under the supervision of Prof. Hanan Salem. The seminar was held as part of the Faculty’s Community Service and Environmental Development Sector’s efforts to promote national awareness and deepen students’ understanding of their country’s history.

The seminar featured Maj. Gen. (Staff) Dr. Hisham El-Halabi, Advisor to the Military Academy for Postgraduate and Strategic Studies, who reviewed the key milestones in the liberation of Sinai and their military, political, and developmental significance.

In her address, Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally emphasized that reclaiming occupied territory is the true evidence of victory. She stressed that nation-building begins with every individual demonstrating dedication to their work and fulfilling their responsibilities, noting that excellence in performing one's duties is the true path toward Egypt’s progress.

Addressing the social and ideological dimensions of Israeli society, the Dean discussed efforts to reinforce the perception of the Israeli army as an invincible force, alongside attempts to portray the October War as having produced no decisive victory for either side, ultimately claiming that it ended in a stalemate. She explained that Egypt’s complete recovery of Sinai provided a practical response to these claims. She raised a fundamental question about the consistency of describing the war as a stalemate when Egypt succeeded in reclaiming all its territory: Could a country that had not emerged victorious achieve complete liberation? Her analysis connected the outcomes on the battlefield with the narratives that certain accounts sought to establish within Israeli society.

For her part, Prof. Hanan Salem highlighted the seminar’s importance in enhancing students’ awareness of Sinai’s history and national issues while providing opportunities for direct dialogue with specialists. She noted that such discussions help connect academic knowledge with national concerns and strengthen young people’s understanding of their responsibility to safeguard national achievements and continue the country's development journey.

Maj. Gen. (Staff) Dr. Hisham El-Halabi reviewed key stages of the October War, explaining the military challenges faced by the Egyptian Armed Forces and the crucial role of planning and preparation in successfully crossing the Suez Canal and overcoming the defensive barriers established by Israeli forces, most notably the Bar Lev Line, which had been portrayed in Israeli public perception as an almost impenetrable military fortification.

El-Halabi also traced the process of reclaiming Sinai, explaining that the restoration of Egyptian territory was not achieved through military confrontation alone but resulted from the combined efforts of military strength and political, diplomatic, and legal initiatives. He described this as an integrated national strategy aimed at restoring Egypt’s rights and consolidating its sovereignty over its entire territory.

He further discussed the late President Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat’s historic visit to the Israeli Knesset as a significant milestone in the political settlement process, highlighting the importance of diplomatic efforts in completing the recovery of Egyptian territory and establishing peace without compromising national rights.

The Major General then addressed the development of Sinai as a continuation of the struggle to reclaim the land, emphasizing that liberation remains incomplete without protecting, developing, and creating opportunities for its people. Sinai, he explained, is not merely a symbol of military and political victory but also a strategic pillar of Egypt’s future, given its substantial resources and promising development opportunities.

The seminar witnessed active student engagement, with participants raising questions about the October War, the process of reclaiming Sinai, and the lessons it offers to younger generations. The discussion reflected their interest in understanding the details of this pivotal period in Egypt’s history.

At the conclusion of the seminar, Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, presented a certificate of appreciation to Maj. Gen. (Staff) Dr. Hisham El-Halabi in recognition of his participation and valuable contributions to the discussion on the liberation of Sinai and the lessons of the October War. Students also took commemorative photographs with him, reflecting their appreciation of his expertise and pride in the historical insights and perspectives he shared.