In a bid to counter the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared Egypt’s students will finally learn about the peace accords signed with Israel in 1979 for the first time.
After almost four decades since Israel and Egypt signed the historical peace accords that put and end to several wars between the two countries, Egypt’s students will finally learn about the process for the first time.
Israel’s IDF Radio reported on Wednesday that the new chapter that was introduced into a 9th grade history and geography text book is unbiased and does not present Israel in negative light, a rarity in the Arab world.
The chapter also recounts the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat shortly after he signed the treaty with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
“Despite efforts by President Sadat to achieve peace and his support of all diplomatic initiatives which are in line with Arab stances, he was murdered at the annual parade on October 6th, 1981,” the text reads, according to IDF Radio.
The chapter also emphasizes that he two leaders were awarded a Nobel Peace Prize “for the immense efforts they invested in achieving peace in the Middle East.”
IDF Radio explains that the new chapter is part of an encompassing reform the Egyptian educational system is currently undergoing under the guidance of currebt President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. As part of the reform, the contents of some 1,300 books were revised.
Likewise, religious content introduced by ousted Islamic President Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brothers was removed.
The study of French and Spanish was added, geared towards developing Western language and cultural skills among the Egyptian students.
By: United with Israel Staff