El-Sisi stresses role of mosques, churches, media in facing challenges, warns against detachment from reality

CAIRO – 31 December 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed the importance of education, mosques, churches and the media in addressing societal challenges and highlighted the necessity of remaining grounded in reality.

He made the remarks during an interactive dialogue with scholars and the judging panel for an academic program hosted by the Egyptian Military Academy, the Presidency said in a statement. The dialogue took place at the academy’s headquarters in the New Capital.

El-Sisi attended the personal assessment interviews for Ministry of Endowments’ preachers holding doctoral degrees, who are set to join the two-year scientific program.

 

The meeting featured the attendance of Minister of Religious Endowments Usama Al-Azhari, Director of the Egyptian Military Academy Lieutenant General Ashraf Zaher, and members of the judging panel from the ministry and the Council of Senior Scholars.

Updating Al-Azhar Curriculum

The dialogue further addressed the role of Al-Azhar and its institutes in spreading authentic Islamic teachings and Quran memorization, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the meeting highlighted the importance of updating Al-Azhar curricula to include subjects related to national security and the Egyptian vision of current events.

The discussion touched on the need to confront extremism and atheism through objective arguments, highlighting the role of programs and courses offered by Al-Azhar and the Egyptian Military Academy in this regard.

‘Promoting Enlightened Thought’

The dialogue reaffirmed the need for developing scientific research and linking it to production.

It also emphasized promoting enlightened moderate thinking and reinforcing educational values, according to the statement.

 

The meeting urged giving due importance to the Arabic language as a fundamental tool for understanding religion, accurately interpreting the Quran, and accessing sciences and knowledge.

El-Sisi stressed the necessity of establishing a clear pathway for qualifying, training and utilising cadres effectively.

He also underlined the need to encourage citizens, particularly youth, to practice sports and maintain public health.

Military Academy’s Course

The president highlighted the importance of the academy’s academic and training programs for Awqaf preachers, imams and other state cadres as part of broader efforts to reform institutions and build strong, qualified, and distinguished personnel across sectors.

 

He underscored the need to address weaknesses in human resources in general.

El-Sisi stressed that candidates selected for the academy’s programs are chosen based on absolute and objective criteria, with evaluations conducted fairly and without favoritism.

The discussion also noted that the academy’s programs are part of a path that requires continuity and follow-up, the statement said, noting that these courses are subject to continuous development and evaluation.

The Presidency highlighted these programs’ constructive role in graduating qualified cadres who serve as a driving force in advancing the state development and building its capacities.