Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf launched a training course for imams in North and South Sinai on how to confront extremist ideologies, as part of its efforts to counter the hate speech spread by extremist groups.
The course kicked off on Saturday at the International Awqaf Academy, a training institute for imams and preachers.
The training aims at spreading the concepts of tolerance and coexistence, a source stated, adding that it contributes to the Egyptian state’s efforts to confront the terrorist groups.
In August 2020, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered the development of training programs for imams and preachers to bolster the capabilities of imams and maximize their communication skills.
Awqaf Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa said Saturday his ministry prioritizes training imams of North Sinai and other border areas because they are on one of the major frontlines in the fight against terrorism.
Community participation and the opening of bridges of trust with society can be achieved with time and through imams and preachers, the minister noted.
In January 2019, the ministry inaugurated the academy with the aim to train imams and provide trainers from Egypt and abroad.
It said the step was a “practical translation of what the president had requested on the importance of having trained, tolerant and educated clerics.”
In his speech at the course’s opening, Gomaa described as “pioneering” Egypt’s experience in confronting extremism, adding that the ministry’s approach is based on the need for continuous qualitative education and training.
