El-Sisi gave instructions to develop an integrated plan to establish the new mosques, noting that these mosques should become beacons for disseminating the true teachings of religion and that they should encompass activities related to both Dawah and learning and recitation of the Quran.

He highlighted the need to select good locations for the new mosques and allocate appropriate spaces for them.

The president also issued instructions to increase the efficiency of the main mosques in all governorates.

He made the remarks in a meeting to review the activities of the endowments ministry with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa and Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj.

El-Sisi emphasised the importance of enhancing training programmes for Islamic preachers. These programs aim to help preachers become more personable, more enlightened, and more culturally aware. They also help them to become more oriented – culturally and intellectually – towards the modern world so as to present the correct teachings of religion in ways that are not at odds with reality.     

In addition, the president also gave instructions to increase the cash rewards for the international Holy Quran competition that the Ministry of Religious Endowments will organise in February to around EGP 2 million.

During the meeting, Gomaa briefed the president on the ministry’s training courses for preachers and religious leaders in African countries to promote the culture of dialogue, belief in diversity, and acceptance of others within the framework of spreading true religion.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed the ministry’s religious and social plans for the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry’s contribution to community service – which is carried out in coordination with the ministries of social solidarity, supply and internal trade, as well as with local government authorities nationwide – was also on the agenda of the meeting.

El-Sisi has called for reforming the religious discourse on more than one occasion in the face of extremist thought and waves of terrorism.

The president has urged religious institutions and scholars to intensify their efforts to spread the values of coexistence, intellectual diversity, acceptance of others and tolerant Islamic instructions.

In October, El-Sisi said that religious practices in the region need to be rethought in light of the changes and developments in societies brought about by modernity.