Minister of Awqaf (Charitable Endowments) Osama Al-Azhari said Egypt and the Philippines are “one home, one nation and one family”, stressing that peace and prosperity can only be achieved when every Muslim feels responsible for his Christian brother and every Christian feels responsible for his Muslim brother.
He made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Egyptian-Filipino Programme for Religious Leaders on Dialogue, Coexistence and Peacebuilding, held at the Grand Mosque of Egypt in the New Capital.
Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Counsellor Hani Azer, Head of the State Information Service Ambassador Alaa Youssef were present at the meeting.
During the ceremony, Al-Azhari said the programme reflects Egypt’s commitment to strengthening dialogue among followers of different faiths, exchanging expertise and promoting peaceful coexistence, human fraternity and mutual respect.
He noted that the initiative was the outcome of nearly two years of co-ordination, beginning with his visits to Manila and followed by the reception of a Filipino delegation in Egypt.
Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy Professor Mohamed Abdel-Dayem El-Gendy stressed that civilisational partnerships should replace conflict, emphasising that extremism, rejection of dialogue and hate speech are not genuine products of religion, but intellectual and civilisational ills.
He highlighted the influence of digital media on public awareness and called for initiatives that promote understanding, integration and peace.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson and former Egyptian Ambassador to the Philippines Nader Zaki said the programme coincides with celebrations marking 80 years of Egyptian-Filipino diplomatic relations.
He highlighted shared social values between the two peoples and growing bilateral co-operation, including the training of religious leaders.
Philippine Ambassador to Cairo Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil praised the initiative as the culmination of two years of consultations, arrangements and reciprocal visits.
She noted that the wider programme began in 2016 with the training of Filipino imams, judges and lawyers and has now expanded to include bishops and priests.
Patriarch of Alexandria for the Coptic Catholics and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak described Egypt’s experience as a living testament to coexistence, stressing that properly understood and respected pluralism strengthens societies rather than dividing them.
At the conclusion, SIS Head Ambassador Alaa Youssef said dialogue, peace and coexistence are not merely slogans, but urgent human necessities in a world facing conflicts and misunderstandings related to religion, culture and identity.
He stressed that the programme provides a genuine platform for direct communication among religious leaders, enabling mutual understanding free from stereotypes and preconceived notions.
Ambassador Youssef affirmed that coexistence in Egypt is both history and reality, stressing that differences can become a bridge for understanding rather than a wall of division.
