Deputy head of Helwan University student union Youssef Ahmed Abdel Hakam reportedly resigned from his position following threats from the university’s administration to the union.
According to the Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) student observatory, Abdel Hakam claimed that there have been threats to ban the union’s activities and expel its members from the university.
Those threats are linked with the union’s statements against President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and their rejection of his invitation to join the Egyptian Family Iftar gathering.
The first annual Egyptian Family Iftar celebration took place on Saturday. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and other prominent political and public figures were among the participants.
Mohamed Salah, head of Assiut University’s student union, and Mohamed Morsi, head of Helwan University’s student union, turned down invitations to the event, which were sent to them by the Ministry of Higher Education.
Both student union presidents explained in online posts that they refused to attend the iftar event because of their opposition to Al-Sisi’s regime, which they believe targets youth and students in security raids.
