Under the patronage of Prof. Tamer Samir, President of Benha National University, the University hosted a seminar entitled Religious Tolerance and Societal Values in cooperation with the Egyptian Family House, as part of its commitment to promoting awareness, fostering the values of tolerance and acceptance of others, and implementing the cooperation protocol previously signed between the two institutions.
The seminar was attended by Prof. Tamer Samir; Prof. Mahmoud Shakal, Vice President for Employment, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Prof. Mostafa Abdel Ghani, Vice President of Al-Azhar University for the Girls’ Branch and International Students Affairs and Secretary-General of the Egyptian Family House; and His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, and Assistant Secretary-General of the Egyptian Family House.
Prof. Tamer Samir emphasized that intellectual development is inseparable from the cultivation of a robust value system, noting that the Abrahamic religions were revealed to advance the principles of compassion and peaceful coexistence. He added that the University is committed to shaping well-rounded graduates through seminars, workshops, and extracurricular activities that foster mature awareness, enlightened thinking, and the capacity to excel in an increasingly competitive environment.
Prof. Mostafa Abdel Ghani underscored that Islam is fundamentally rooted in mercy and acceptance of others, highlighting the role of Al-Azhar in promoting moderation and a sound understanding of religion. He further noted that the Egyptian Family House stands as a distinguished national model for advancing dialogue, strengthening the values of citizenship, and countering extremist ideologies.
His Grace Bishop Ermia emphasized that the values of love and peace are fundamental to the human experience, noting that the resilience of societies lies in their capacity to coexist harmoniously despite their differences. He added that fostering a culture of love and mutual respect represents the surest path to lasting stability and to building a secure and prosperous future.
Prof. Mahmoud Shakal highlighted that strengthening students’ competitive capabilities is inseparable from the societal values that underpin responsible citizenship. He noted that today’s labor market places equal importance on discipline, accountability, teamwork, and technical competence.
The seminar featured a substantive panel discussion on the role of religious tolerance in reinforcing ethical values, the importance of embracing diversity, and the contribution of the Egyptian Family House to promoting social stability and confronting extremist thought.
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants underscored the importance of sustaining such intellectual forums in raising youth awareness, strengthening national belonging, and further positioning Egypt as a leading model of coexistence grounded in mutual respect and shared human values. They also called for enhanced engagement by educational, religious, and media institutions in promoting a culture of tolerance, fostering constructive dialogue across all segments of society, and confronting hate speech and extremism. Participants emphasized that investing in youth awareness constitutes a cornerstone of building a cohesive and resilient society capable of addressing future challenges, and reaffirmed the value of continued cooperation with the Egyptian Family House to organize additional initiatives that advance human values and deepen the spirit of citizenship.