Ambassador Alaa Youssef, Chairman of the Board of the State Information Service (SIS), affirmed that Egypt’s experience in peaceful coexistence and peacebuilding constitutes an integral part of the country’s history and civilizational heritage.

He praised Egypt’s commitment, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to promoting the values of full citizenship, equality, and respect for diversity as fundamental pillars for building a modern state and strengthening social cohesion.

Ambassador Alaa Youssef made the remarks in his speech at the conclusion of the second Egyptian-Philippine training program for religious leaders, organized by the Ministry of Religious Endowments under the title “The Egyptian Experience in Peaceful Coexistence and Building an Inclusive Society,” with the participation of a number of Filipino religious leaders from August 29 to September 6.

The closing ceremony was attended by Professor Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Religious Endowments; Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity; Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade; and Counselor Hani Hanna, Minister of Parliamentary, Legal and Political Affairs, along with a number of public figures and religious leaders from Egypt and the Philippines.

The program was organized as part of the Ministry of Religious Endowments’ efforts to promote religious and civilizational dialogue, share the Egyptian experience with the world, correct stereotypes, and enhance mutual understanding among religious leaders, thereby supporting the values of mutual respect, peace, and stability.

Ambassador Alaa Youssef highlighted the national and humanitarian roles of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, with its prominent global religious and scholarly standing, and the Egyptian Church, with its long-standing history and national role, as key partners in promoting the values of citizenship and strengthening social cohesion.

He stressed that Egypt’s experience in this field is rooted in a deep and longstanding historical and civilizational heritage, as well as a value system affirming that the homeland embraces all its citizens and that its strength lies in its unity and diversity.

Ambassador Alaa Youssef expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Religious Endowments for his efforts to make Egypt a hub for religious and civilizational dialogue and a bridge of communication among peoples, thereby promoting a culture of dialogue, moderation, tolerance, and citizenship.

The Egyptian-Philippine program for religious leaders featured a number of meetings and discussions on Egypt’s experience in peaceful coexistence, as well as visits to mosques, churches, and sites associated with the Holy Family’s journey.

These activities provided the Philippine delegation with a firsthand opportunity to learn about Egypt’s experience of religious and cultural diversity and the values of coexistence and mutual respect that it reflects.

SIS