Humanity in the Modern Civil State: The Evangelical Organization’s Conference with the Presence of the President of the Evangelical Church and the Minister of Awqaf

Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki:

• “Building humanity is the foundation of the modern civil state.”
• “Collaboration between religious institutions and civil society enhances shared values.”

Professor Dr. Osama Al-Azhary:

• “The religious message supports the building of the nation.”
• “Reviving humanity comes through adherence to the civilizational values that require advancement and progress.”

Minister of Awqaf praises the Evangelical Organization’s efforts in promoting values of coexistence and community peace.

The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services organized a conference titled “Humanity in the Modern Civil State,” attended by Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, alongside His Excellency Professor Dr. Osama Al-Azhary, Minister of Awqaf, and a group of religious leaders and public figures. The session was moderated by journalist Hamdy Rizk, who led a rich discussion on the role of religious and social institutions in promoting awareness and reinforcing human values.

Key Takeaways from the Conference:

In his speech, Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki emphasized that “Building humanity is the cornerstone of the modern civil state,” stressing that “a person aware of the values of citizenship and pluralism is capable of confronting the challenges of the age.” He added that the process of building humanity relies on a comprehensive plan that involves all institutions, praising initiatives like “A New Beginning,” which aims to invest in human capital. He also highlighted the importance of focusing on religious discourse that promotes values of justice and compassion, underlining the need to distinguish between religious belief and religious discourse, and working on linking sacred texts with their historical context to enhance the language of dialogue.

Meanwhile, Dr. Osama Al-Azhary pointed out that “Building humanity is a top priority in the state,” noting that Egypt has long benefited from the efforts of both Muslim and Christian Egyptians. He added that the revival of humanity comes through adherence to civilizational values that require advancement and progress, commending the role of the Evangelical Organization in promoting values of coexistence and community peace. He emphasized that “Egypt is embodied in its people, for they are the essence of civilization and the foundation of renaissance,” whether through the Egyptian army or religious institutions like Al-Azhar and the Egyptian Church.

Al-Azhary also stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause, asserting that “The solution lies in the establishment of the Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.”

Journalist Hamdy Rizk, who moderated the session, praised the Coptic Evangelical Organization’s efforts in organizing this national dialogue, considering that “The language of dialogue is the most effective tool in achieving societal awareness and renewing religious discourse.” For her part, Ms. Samira Louka, Head of the First Sector for Dialogue at the Evangelical Organization, emphasized the importance of promoting values of pluralism and citizenship to achieve community peace, noting that “The Evangelical Organization’s initiatives align with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s call to build a new human being.”