Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s participation in the graduation ceremony of the second training batch for imams of the Ministry of Waqfs held at Al-Manara International Convention Centre, highlights the essential role of imams in promoting public awareness and confronting modern societal challenges, and reflects the growing collaboration between the Ministry and the Egyptian Military Academy, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Waqfs (Religious Endowments), Dr Osama Raslan, told The Egyptian Gazette in an exclusive statement.
Raslan pointed to significant regression in various sectors over recent decades, particularly in education. He noted the declining quality of graduates from Islamic studies faculties-especially those in foreign-language tracks-and cited digital addiction, diminishing reading habits, and increasing c as key factors in a broader decline in intellectual and cultural vitality.
He stressed that comprehensive training for imams is urgently needed. In addition to religious instruction, imams must be ethically grounded, effective communicators, and well-versed in modern issues such as fifth-generation warfare and misinformation.
The current six-month training initiative includes both technical and behavioral development. Thirty percent of the programme takes place at the Military Academy, with a focus on personal and extracurricular development. The remaining 70% is conducted by the Ministry, emphasising religious education and intellectual refinement.
Raslan affirmed that the ministry remains committed to nurturing exceptional imams by offering further academic advancement, including access to postgraduate programs such as master’s and doctoral studies, as part of a broader strategy to revitalise religious discourse.
