According to Dr. Muhammad ‘Afifi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Culture in Egypt, the Islamic State does not acknowledge the sovereignty of any state or their boundaries and seeks to take advantage of the tenuous situation of many Arab nations.
‘Afifi made his comments during a seminar titled “How to Confront the Islamic State in Egypt.” Among other things, he said that “There is a crisis facing states in their confrontation with radicalism, and it is imperative for us to confront it honestly because the Islamic State is threatening Egypt.
The secretary general of culture further added that “What saves nations is their own ancient heritage,” indicating that the Ministry of Culture will enter the fray and confront extremist ideologies, specifically by organizing a campaign of intensive awareness among young people against the dangers of the Islamic State, “which has become widespread in the majority of the Arab world.”
Arab nations with an ancient history—Egypt chief among them—used to rely on their pre-Islamic heritage to help build a more balanced Egyptian identity.