President El-Sisi Meets Participants in 36th Intl Conference of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs

alhadath – cairo

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with the ministers and muftis of countries, heads of Islamic councils and authorities, along with a group of scholars participating in the 36th International Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, hosted by Egypt on 19- 20, January, 2026. This was in the presence of Minister of Religious Endowments Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, and the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Nabawi Makhlof.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the President delivered a speech during the meeting, welcoming the attendees and expressing his wishes for the success of the conference in achieving its goals by formulating unified strategies to combat extremist ideologies, discussing the role of religious institutions in enhancing societal stability, and exploring ways to utilize digital means in the the call to Islam.

The President added that holding the conference at this critical moment reflects a bridge between the deep-rooted Islamic values in practice and the prospects of the digital future. This highlights that Islam is a living religion, inseparable from the realities of life and developments of the age.
President El-Sisi emphasized that building nations is only achieved through the building of individuals. Therefore, the Egyptian state has made investing in people a fundamental approach, aiming to develop an enlightened generation capable of facing modern challenges and contributing to the construction and development, according to a clear vision that places the individual at the forefront of priorities.

The President emphasized in his speech that the Egyptian state’s vision for religious discourse and its role in building both the state and the individual is based on firm principles. This includes saving religion from becoming a battleground for conflict or controversy, or allowing it to be hijacked by extremist movements that turn it into terrorism, violence, bloodshed, and destruction, ultimately leading to atheism.
The President also stressed the importance of scholars fulfilling their role in confronting extremist and terrorist thoughts, particularly on digital media and social media platforms. President El-Sisi emphasized the need to elevate religious discourse to fulfill its goals of construction and security, as well as safeguarding nations and building individuals.

The President also highlighted the importance of according attention to the selection, training and follow-up on preachers, in addition to offering them decent living and a broad cultural foundation. Furthermore, the President stressed the importance of ensuring that mosques function as comprehensive religious, educational, and service-oriented institutions. The President concluded by underscoring the importance of drafting a conscious and inclusive religious discourse that confronts extremism and terrorism, preserves nations, and promotes construction.

President El-Sisi engaged in an interactive dialogue with the participants, during which the importance of promoting moderate thought, combating extremism and terrorism, and continuing efforts to elevate the status of the Islamic world to its rightful place were emphasized. This is in addition to giving attention to the training of scholars and instilling a true understanding of Islam at the level of individuals, community, and Islamic countries, as well as reaffirming the pioneering role and esteemed position of Egypt and Al-Azhar in the Arab and Islamic worlds.