Egypt Religious Convoy to Spread ‘Moderation’ and ‘Renounce Violence and Terror’ in South Sinai

Egypt’s Ministry of Religious Endowments is sending a convoy to South Sinai that will give nightly sermons in local mosques with the aim to spread “moderation” and to renounce violence and terror, undersecretary of the Endowment Ministry Ismail al-Rawi told privately owned Youm7 earlier this week.

Headed by Sayid Abdel Bary, director general of Cultural Centers, the convoy also seeks to teach compassion and the “true understanding of the common destiny” in addition to building political, security and intellectual cooperation and coordination with the people of Sinai.

The renowned Al-Azhar university has previously sent a medical convoy, aid and preachers to the northern region of the restive Sinai peninsula. While the north, which neighbors Gaza, has in recent years experienced increased tensions and fierce clashes between local militant groups and the Egyptian army and security forces, the south has been calmer and hosts lavish Red Sea resorts.

In the last two years, the Endowment Ministry, Al-Azhar and the educational Islamic institute Dar al-Iftaa have organized convoys in several of Egypt’s governorates aiming to combat extremist ideas.

Since President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi took office in 2014, he has vowed to undertake a “religious revolution” in an effort to prevent radicalization amongst the Egyptian populace.

In December of last year, Al-Sisi urged reform of Islamic discourse and stressed on the importance of religious freedom in a televised speech marking Mulid El-Nabi, the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s birth.

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