El-Minya, Egypt – Tuesday, 1 July 2025
The Center of Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership (CCMUP) launched a two-day training program on “Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding” in El-Menya Governorate, inaugurated today by Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Anglican/Episcopal Province of Alexandria. The event was attended by Archbishop-Emeritus Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis, Director of CCMUP, Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Abu Zeid, Coordinator of the Egyptian Family House, CCMUP staff, and a number of religious, community, and youth leaders.
Organized in cooperation with the Egyptian Family House and Misr El-Kheir Foundation, the training forms part of CCMUP’s ongoing community engagement efforts. The initiative aims to promote a culture of dialogue, foster understanding, and build peace, particularly in Upper Egypt, where social cohesion is often tested by local interfaith challenges.
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Dr. Fawzy highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating:
“We are here today to learn from the important and inspiring work happening in El-Minya. At the heart of CCMUP’s mission is the promotion of mutual understanding and partnership. We came to listen, learn, and hopefully contribute some ideas that can support social peace and serve our beloved country.”
Archbishop-Emeritus Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis emphasized the community-focused nature of the program, saying:
“The goal of this training is to explore how we can take positive steps to strengthen community cohesion and the national social fabric in El-Minya. By involving local leaders from diverse religious and social backgrounds, we aim to build bridges of peace and understanding, this is central to the mission of both CCMUP and the Church.”
From his side, Dr. Mohamed Abu Zeid addressed the program’s preventative approach:
“This training is designed to raise awareness about potential conflict risks and to develop proactive strategies to prevent tensions before they arise. It reflects the joint efforts of the Egyptian Family House and CCMUP to preserve Egypt’s social unity.”
The opening day of the training featured contributions from several figures in the field of interfaith and community dialogue, including:
Rev. Samir Dawood, CCMUP’s Community Initiatives Coordinator; Mr. Maqar Omda, Coordinator of the Egyptian Family House in Minya; and Dr. Shaimaa Adly, preacher and member of Al-Azhar’s Fatwa Committee. A diverse group of community and religious leaders, as well as youth from different backgrounds, also took part.
This initiative is part of CCMUP’s continued commitment to promoting social peace and embedding a culture of coexistence and mutual respect throughout Egypt, in a grass-roots approach that is sustainable and genuine, targeting areas with a history of sectarian tensions and violence.
CCMUP