Staff report PRESIDENT Abdel Fattah El Sisi has expressed appreciation for the key role played by scholars of Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Waqfs (Endowments) in correcting the flawed concepts about the tolerant religion of Islam. In a speech to a Waqfs Ministry ceremony marking Lailat al-Qadr (the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan) on Monday, President Sisi hailed the devoted scholars of al-Azhar for their efforts to promote Islam's moderate and centrist character as well as for confronting deviant ideology, extremism and excessiveness. Al-Azhar scholars, the President added, are seeking to promote human and moral values and affection between people all. Hailing Lailat al-Qadr as a time of praying for Heavenly benevolence, President Sisi said that the occasion is indicative of an association between exerting human effort and gaining good. The President noted that this association was the principle that led to the prospering of the Islamic civilisation in all economic, scientific and cultural walks of life. On the national setting, President Sisi expressed thanks to and appreciation for the government of Prime minister Sherif Ismail over their all-out efforts during the last period which was the toughest in the history of Egypt. Changing governments, the President added, is necessary for giving opportunities to each other. President Sisi also stressed that Egypt witnessed over the past years huge challenges but the determination of the Egyptian people was solid in the face of such challenges. The Egyptian people, the President added, rose up to protect their nation and contribute to creating the circumstances deemed favourable for building a better future. The Egyptians, President Sisi said, were one hand in the face of the forces of evil and darkness which tried to ruin the country, noting in this regard that the people of Egypt stood decisively in the face of attempts to sow division and ignite sedition. Egyptians, the President stressed, defied whoever attempted to threaten the security of the country. They have also sacrificed their blood and souls for the sake of the nation and in defence of its stability. The President said that the Egyptian people bore with patience the difficult economic conditions and worked hard to pursue the reforms deemed necessary for the building of a modern state and a developed society, gaining in the process the world's admiration for their capabilities to make achievements in several fields. During the ceremony, President Sisi honored the Holy Qur'an memorisers from Egypt and world countries who have won the international competition for Quran memorisation and interpretation. The competition is organised annually by the Ministry of Waqfs. The competition's first and second awards for Arab countries went to two Egyptian memorisers while the top awards for foreign countries went to a Bangladeshi and a Kenyan, respectively. Young memorisers under the age of 12 years and contenders of special needs were also honoured during the ceremony.
