His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Mark, received today, Thursday, at the papal headquarters in Cairo, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture, and Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Endowments, within the framework of strengthening dialogue and cooperation between religious and cultural institutions in Egypt.
The meeting discussed coordinating efforts regarding the participation of the Coptic Church and the Ministry of Endowments in the activities of the Ministry of Culture, with the aim of raising awareness of human values and constructive concepts, using various arts, through the activities carried out by the Ministry. Culture in the regions of Egypt.
His Holiness the Pope welcomed the two ministers and the delegation accompanying them, and spoke to them about the Coptic Orthodox Church and its history extending over two thousand years, and its national role throughout its journey, noting that writing a biography The Coptic Patriarchs present a multi-angle picture of Egypt’s history.
His Holiness the Pope expressed the Church’s full readiness to participate in supporting all activities aimed at raising awareness and building people and society.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno expressed his appreciation for the role of the Coptic Church in supporting national issues, stressing that the Church is an integral part of the fabric of Egyptian society, and is a guardian of the heritage and historical integrity of our country. Pointing out the importance of cooperation between cultural and religious institutions to educate young people and youth about the concepts of national unity, rejecting extremism, and promoting the values of tolerance and acceptance of others.
Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno pointed out the Ministry of Culture’s keenness to cooperate. With the Egyptian Church to provide cultural and artistic events and activities at the Church’s headquarters in the governorates, through which awareness can be raised to build the Egyptian human being.
In the same context, Dr. Osama Al-Azhari stressed the need to strengthen Cooperation between the Ministry of Endowments and the Church in spreading the values of tolerance and moderation, pointing out that this cooperation reflects the cohesion that characterizes Egyptian society, and enhances its unity and cohesion.
At the end of the meeting, the minister presented a gift Culture, His Holiness the Pope, the book “Churches in Egypt from the Journey of the Holy Family to Today” And copied from the painting “The Nun” Painted by the late Egyptian artist Ahmed Sabry in 1929, and known internationally as the “Egyptian Mona Lisa,” in which the artist painted a picture of a nun, drawing inspiration from her features from the Egyptian character.
For his part, he dedicated Pope Tawadros book “One Hundred Coptic Personalities on the Land of Egypt” To the Ministers of Culture and Endowments.
