As part of Egypt’s celebrations marking the 53rd anniversary of the glorious October War victory (1973), the Egyptian Russian University organized a major celebration and an educational seminar titled “The Role of Soft Power in October Victory.” held in the hall named after the late Dr. Sherif Helmy, the event was supported by Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mostafa, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, and held under the patronage of University President Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abdel-Nabi. It was organized and managed by Dr. Shehata Gharib, advisor to the university president for Institutional Development, and Dr. Hanaa Abdel-Rahman, advisor to the University President for Student Activities. The seminar drew a distinguished audience comprising prominent figures from higher education, journalism, media, arts, and public life, alongside a large turnout of university students. The discussion was enriched by a panel of experts: journalist Ahmed Ayoub, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Gomhuria newspaper; publicist Ayman Adly, Head of the Training and Education Committee at the Media Syndicate; and Dr. Ashraf Abdel-Rahman, Professor and Head of the Music Criticism Department at the Academy of Arts.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abdel-Nabi, President of the Egyptian Russian University, welcomed the guests and thanked them for participating in this annual event. He expressed appreciation for their presence among the students to recount the heroism and sacrifices of Egypt’s brave soldiers. He urged students to draw inspiration from this spirit of sacrifice and heroism, making it a guiding light in confronting modern challenges. He also warned against the dangers of new forms of warfare—specifically fourth and fifth-generation warfare—and emphasized the need to remain vigilant against attempts to distort public awareness, falsify identity, and undermine Egyptian civilization through the internet and artificial intelligence technologies. He called upon them to continue the path of development with the same determination that characterized the Armed Forces during the glorious October War.
In the same context, journalist Ahmed Ayoub, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Gomhuria newspaper, praised the pivotal role played by the Egyptian Armed Forces at the borders, describing them—after the Almighty—as the protective shield and fundamental pillar for maintaining the country’s security and stability. He emphasized that this stability serves as the cornerstone for the nation’s development and progress amidst surrounding challenges and dangers. He noted that the lack of basic security elements in other countries across the region clearly highlights the value of Egypt’s security achievements. Furthermore, he stressed that the authentic nature of the Egyptian people and their steadfast convictions are the driving force behind their commitment to every inch of the homeland; this ensures that Egypt remains a unique model of a nation that has preserved its geographical and historical borders throughout ages, thanks to the awareness of its people and the resilience of its institutions.
For his part, media figure Ayman Adly—Head of the Training and Education Committee at the Media Syndicate—emphasized that the epic of October 6, 1973, was not merely a series of military strikes on the battlefield; it also involved a parallel battle—waged with exceptional skill—on the front of public consciousness and perception. He noted that “soft power,” in its various forms—including media, the press, the arts, diplomacy, international law, and culture—acted as an unarmed, invisible army. This force operated with steadfast strategic efficiency before, during, and after the battle. Adly highlighted that while “hard power” achieves decisive military results tied to the timeframe of the conflict, soft power leaves a profound, enduring imprint that spans generations, cementing identity and safeguarding future generations against oblivion.
In the same context, Dr. Ashraf Abdel Rahman—Professor and Head of the Music Criticism Department at the Academy of Arts—affirmed that Egyptian art served as a cornerstone of the soft power that fortified both the military and public spirit during the period following the 1967 setback and leading up to the glorious October victory. He cited the role of the “Star of the East,” Umm Kulthum, who dedicated her concerts to supporting the war backing up; the timeless patriotic songs of the “Nightingale,” Abdel Halim Hafez; and the spontaneous, impassioned melodies of composer Baligh Hamdi, which were born from the very heart of the events. The impact of these works transcended the mere alleviation of the Arab nation’s anguish; they documented this pivotal era through sound and image, remaining a living testament to the will to persevere and triumph.
In a related context, Dr. Shehata Gharib, Advisor to the President of the Egyptian-Russian University for Institutional Development, emphasized that the university administration attaches great importance to organizing educational seminars and hosting prominent figures from various fields. These efforts aim to instill national awareness among students and foster values ​​of loyalty and a sense of belonging. He explained that the celebration highlights eternal national achievements and conveys an inspiring message to the youth: that the young heroes of the Great October War were the ones who crossed the Suez Canal, liberated the homeland, and restored its dignity. He stressed that today’s youth bear the same responsibility to stand united behind the political leadership, protect the nation’s assets, and support its progress and prosperity.
In the same context, Dr. Hanaa Abdel Rahman, Advisor to the University President for Student Activities, stated that the glorious October Victory remains an eternal milestone in the national memory, noting the Egyptians’ keenness to celebrate it over the past 53 years to draw inspiration from its great values. She explained that the anniversary serves as a constant source of inspiration, reinforcing belief in the nation’s ability to overcome the impossible and surmount challenges. It also instills principles such as diligence, perseverance, meticulous organization, and sacrifice—values ​​that serve as the foundation for achieving goals and success. She praised the students’ enthusiasm for participating in the event and their engagement with the university choir, which performed a distinctive selection of spirited patriotic songs that were widely acclaimed by the students and attendees.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abdel-Nabi, President of the University, honored the following individuals: journalist Ahmed Ayoub, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Gomhuria newspaper and; media personality Ayman Adly, Head of the Training and Education Committee at the Media Syndicate; and Dr. Ashraf Abdel-Rahman, Professor and Head of the Music Criticism Department at the Academy of Arts.
It is worth mentioning that the celebrations marking the 53rd anniversary of the glorious October 6th victory were attended by: Counselor Adel Ibrahim Maged, Vice President of the Court of Cassation; Dr. Khaled Tawfik, Dean of the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine; Dr. Alaa Mohamed El-Batsh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Al-Tahra El-Sayed Hamia, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Economics, and Business Technology; Dr. Hisham Fathy, Dean of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence; Dr. Ezz El-Din Abdel Aziz, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Arts; Dr. Makarem El-Ghamry, Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun (Languages); Dr. Gamil Abdullah, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy; Dr. Saeed Hassan, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence; Dr. Hossam Nazmy, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Applied Arts; and Dr. Engy Raouf, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Management. Also in attendance were a large number of university faculty members and supporting staff, students from all university faculties, public figures, and media representatives.
Sincere thanks and appreciation to the organizers of this distinguished celebration—including the Youth Welfare Department at the Egyptian Russian University and Ms. Israa Karim—for their outstanding efforts in organizing this national event. The event fostered a sense of belonging and national awareness among students and showcased numerous creative talents, all within an atmosphere imbued with the glorious spirit of October.