Egypt’s Grand Mufti and President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, Dr Nazir Mohammed Ayyad, was accorded a warm official welcome upon his arrival in Astana to attend the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, underscoring Egypt’s leading role in advancing interfaith dialogue and global peace.
In a landmark recognition, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan awarded Ayyad the Medal of Honor for his outstanding efforts in promoting dialogue among civilizations and spreading the values of coexistence and peace worldwide.
Speaking at a special session of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations on the sidelines of the Congress, Ayyad stressed that safeguarding religious sites is both a sacred duty and a universal responsibility. He warned that wars, ignorance, and extremism remain the greatest threats to humanity’s shared heritage, condemning Zionist assaults on holy sites in Palestine and Gaza as flagrant violations of international law and justice.
The Grand Mufti hailed Egypt’s efforts under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi as an exemplary model in preserving cultural and religious heritage.
He urged stronger interfaith dialogue, international cooperation, and effective enforcement of global laws to protect sacred sites for generations to come.
Ayyad’s visit concluded with meetings with prominent religious leaders, where he reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast commitment to building bridges of understanding and fostering a global culture of peace.
The 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana from September 17 to 18, 2025, brought together senior religious and political leaders from around the globe. The gathering aimed to strengthen interfaith dialogue, promote mutual understanding, and build common ground in addressing the challenges of extremism, conflict, and threats to humanity’s shared heritage.
