By: Reem Sameh

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports and Major General Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, attended a press conference to announce Saint Catherine Forum for Leniency of Religions under the title “Here we pray together”, which takes place from October 10 to 12, 2019. Accompanied by Dr. Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, Minister of Awqaf and deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, Minister of Antiquities, in addition to Ambassador Nabila Makram, Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, and Member of parliament Amr Sedki, head of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Committee.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy expressed his happiness to participate in the largest forum for tolerance of religions, which will be held in Saint Catherine under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fatah El Sisi. Pointed out that the ministry is keen to acquaint Egyptian youth with ancient Egyptian historical monuments, which deepens their values of loyalty and belonging to their homeland.

He said that Egypt's youth are fully aware of the development in all fields in their country under a political leadership that is working for a better future for coming generations, which was obvious when the streets of Egypt were filled on Friday with young people to express their love, belonging and support for their homeland leadership and people.

Dr. Mokhtar Gomaa, Minister of Awqaf and Deputy Prime Minister, stressed that the Forum has moved from the local to the world, in terms of receiving various religious figures worldwide to attend the Forum in addition to the events that will be held at the Forum, which will work to establish the idea of Religious tolerance, that must always begin from Egypt, where religions meet, which still embraces all religions and heavenly messages throughout the ages.

Major General Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, stressed that Saint Catherine has been developed to host the forum, welcoming all efforts exerted by all ministries and institutions to make the forum a success as it reflects Egypt's international image. Adding that the foundation stone of the first mosque in Saint Catherine will be laid in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf. Also a number of stadiums will be opened in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and there will be a dialogue for various religions on the sidelines of the Forum.

Minister of Antiquities, Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, expressed his delight for holding the Forum in its fifth edition, stressing that the Ministry of Antiquities is working hard to develop the city of Saint Catherine, this unique historical city in its archeology and history over the years, in order to receive the guests of the Forum and hold the forum in a manner appropriate to the image of Egypt.

Nabila Makram, Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, said in her word that Egypt sends a message of love, peace and tranquility to all religions in this forum, adding that Egypt will always be a country of security and safety, embracing everyone with different religions and sects under its roof.

Major General Khaled Fouda announced several days ago the opening of the famous resting place of the late President Mohamed Anwar El Sadat in the "Valley of Comfort" in Saint Catherine, within the activities of the 5th Saint Catherine religious tolerance forum "here pray together.