Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa said Tuesday defending culture of peace emanates from the tolerant teachings of the Islamic religion and its great human values, asserting that Egypt will continue to send messages of peace to the whole world.
The minister’s statements, delivered on behalf of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, came at the inaugural session of the first international conference on confronting religious extremism.
Salam Centre for Studies of Extremism, a research unit affiliated with Dar Al-Ifta, is organizing the conference in Cairo under the patronage of Madbouli in the presence of Egypt’s Grand Mufti and President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide Shawki Allam.
Addressing the gathering, Gomaa noted that peace can never be made from one side, but all wise people should extend their hands to curb evil powers of religious extremism.
There is no doubt that the only way to counter extremism is to stick to intercultural dialogue, peace and coexistence, Gomaa noted, adding that all efforts should be done to continue defending the culture of peace, understanding and dialogue and throw away differences, fighting and disputes.
He urged all participants to join hands to work on spreading the culture of peace and counter the extremist thoughts and ideologies.
