Under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, the Faculty of Commerce organized an awareness and educational seminar entitled “The Role of Religious Institutions in Promoting National Identity and Belonging”, under the slogan “Our Country is a Trust in Our Hands”, under the supervision of Dr. Mahmoud Abdelalim, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, Dr. Alaa Abdel Hafeez, Dean of the Faculty, and Dr. Amal Al-Daly, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs. The seminar was lectured by Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Abdel-Aal, general preacher in the Assiut Preaching Area of the Islamic Research Complex.

The lecture “Strengthening National Identity and Belonging” addressed the importance of national identity in building a cohesive and coherent society, and the role of individuals in preserving the values and traditions that characterize the culture of the homeland. The lecture also highlighted the concept of national identity as a framework that unites citizens under one banner and promotes a sense of belonging and pride in the homeland.

The lecture also discussed the factors that contribute to strengthening national identity, such as education, media, culture, and the role of religious institutions in consolidating national belonging among individuals, especially among youth. The lecture also reviewed the challenges facing national identity in light of globalization and technological development, and the need to strike a balance between openness to the world and adherence to national values.

At the end of the lecture, the importance of promoting the spirit of positive citizenship through active participation in society, respecting cultural diversity, working for the renaissance of the homeland, and promoting national values in various fields of life was emphasized.

The seminar was attended by Dr. Nesmat Heshmat, Vice Dean for Higher Studies Affairs, Dr. Marwa Bakr, professor at the Department of political science, Dr. Abdul Rahim Khalil, Director of political and Strategic Studies, along with a number of faculty members, the auxiliary staff, employees and students.

The attendees stressed that Assiut University, led by Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, is always keen to hold awareness and educational seminars aimed at strengthening the Egyptian national identity, developing national consciousness, preparing new generations to take root with the values of belonging and loyalty to the Egyptian state, while preserving the capabilities of the homeland and active participation in the comprehensive development process.