Opening of “Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence” conference at Ain Shams University

Prof Abdel wahab ezzat, President of Ain Shams University, and HG Anba Ermia, General Bishop and head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center opened on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, the first international conference of the community service and environmental development sector entitled “Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence” in the presence of Prof. Zahi Hawass, Prof. Mamdouh Damati, Former Minister of Antiquities, Prof. Nazmi Abdul Hamid, Prof. Fathi al-Sharqawi, vice-president of the university, a number of deans and agents of the colleges and representatives of 16 foreign countries participating in conference.

At his opening speech, Prof. Abdel Wahab Ezzat, President of the Conference stressed that Ain Shams University is keen to support ideas and good initiatives, including the idea of ​​launching this conference in light of what is happening in Egypt recently. Stressing that Egypt is the pot in which multiple elements melt as it is the heart of the ancient world, which mediates Africa, Asia and Europe continents and It is an open book of humanity.

He added that the concept of pluralism is a comprehensive concept that accommodate pluralism of ideas, nationalities, languages ​​and race. Allaah said “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds”  except for the reason that God wanted to unite the world without discrimination.

Prof. Nazmi Abdul Hamid, Vice President of the university for Community Service and Environmental Development, pointed out that Egypt, thanks to its many resources, has made its way to unity and protected the correct faith by repelling the invaders and despots throughout the ages.

And at the beginning of his speech, HG Anba Ermia, asked the audience to stand a minute of silence to mourn homeland martyrs.

He stressed that Egypt is the land of wisdom and beauty,the refuge and sanctuary of all the prophets of God. As mentioned in the Bible, “Blessed is Egypt My people” and in the Qur’an “Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safe and secure”. He asked various Egyptian universities to hold conferences about pluralism and peaceful coexistence.

Prof. Zahi Hawass lauded Ain Shams University initiative at this time pointing out that the Canaanites lived next to the Sphinx thousands of years ago, which reflects the peaceful coexistence of Egyptians with everyone who came to Egypt in peace.

Prof. Tarek Mansour, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts and the Conference’s Rapporteur and initiator stressed that the conference is attended by 16 countries from different parts of the world, including “Sudan, Bangladesh, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, United States, Greece, Libya and Tunisia” and that in order to shed light on the diversity of Egypt and the Egyptian experience, which is aware of all global conspiracies to undermine the unity of its people.

The opening of the conference included playing a documentary film entitled “A Nation Making History”.

Prof. Zahi Hawass, Prof. Mamdouh Damati, Prof. Aziz Ali Ebeid, President of the European Commission of Arab Partnership and Dean of the Faculty of Law in Sweden, His Eminence Anba Ermia, Prof. Roger Bengal, Professor of Ancient History at New York University, Prof. Tarik Mansour, Prof. Heba Shahin, Director of the Media Center and member of the National Media Commission, Hanan Al-Saeed Director of the Public Service Center and Mr. Samir Abdel-Nasser, Secretary General of the University, Sector Affairs Assistant and Executive Director of the Conference were honored at the conference.