President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi receives ministers and muftis of countries in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian presidency
This came during a meeting between the president and participants in the 36th International Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, hosted by Egypt from 19–20 January.
The two-day conference brought together ministers, muftis, heads of Islamic councils, and scholars from across the Muslim world. El-Sisi’s remarks highlighted the role of religious leaders in promoting moderate thought, combating extremism, and elevating the Islamic world’s standing.
El-Sisi noted that the state has made investing in people a core approach, aiming to develop an enlightened generation capable of facing modern challenges and contributing to the development, according to a clear vision that places the individual at the top of priorities.
El-Sisi emphasized the need for a conscious and inclusive religious discourse that confronts extremism, terrorism, and the misuse of religion to justify violence, bloodshed, or destruction. He stressed that building nations requires building individuals and that religious discourse should support societal security and development.
The president also highlighted the importance of selecting, training, and supporting preachers, providing them with broad cultural foundations and adequate living conditions, and ensuring that mosques serve as comprehensive religious, educational, and community institutions.
El-Sisi said the conference offered an opportunity to develop unified strategies to counter extremist ideologies, strengthen the role of religious institutions in societal stability, and explore the use of digital tools for outreach and education.
El-Sisi stressed that this conference reflects a bridge between the deep-rooted Islamic values in practice and the prospects of the digital future, noting that Islam remains a living religion closely linked to contemporary life and technological developments.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Religious Endowments Usama Al-Azhari and the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Nabawi Makhlof.
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