The Episcopal Church Recognizes Four Recipients of the Aly El-Samman Interfaith Dialogue Awards
The Centre for Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership (CCMUP) of
the Anglican Episcopal Church in Egypt celebrated four winners of the Dr. Aly El-Samman
Interfaith Dialogue Competition on Thursday, while also recognizing several
remarkable entries with certificates of appreciation, shining a light on their
outstanding efforts.
At the event, Dr. Ali Gomaa, head of the Parliament’s Religious
Committee, passionately honored Dr. Aly El-Samman’s lasting legacy, calling him
a true paragon of integrity and an unwavering advocate for interfaith dialogue.
He also gave a well-deserved shout-out to Dr. Mounir Hanna, head of the
Christian-Islamic Center, for his relentless dedication to sowing the seeds of
social peace through his impactful initiatives within Egyptian society.
Meanwhile, Brigitte El-Samman, wife of the late Dr. Aly El-Samman,
expressed heartfelt thanks to the Misr El-Kheir Foundation for its unwavering
support, stressing how crucial their involvement has been in safeguarding her
husband’s legacy. Dr. Osama El-Azhari, Minister of Endowments, drove home the
point that continuing to nurture peace and interfaith cooperation is not just
important, but absolutely essential for Egypt’s future.
Brigitte thoughtfully reflected on how her husband, despite sometimes
feeling deeply discouraged by the fragility of unity, never once abandoned his
mission. Instead of limiting dialogue exclusively to intellectual circles, he
remained tirelessly dedicated to making it a lived experience for all.
For his part, Rev. Dr. Matthew Anderson, the academic director of the
center, passionately stressed that the center’s programs are crafted to tear
down stereotypes between Muslims and Christians, while paving the way for
genuine understanding and open dialogue between the two communities in Cairo.
On the other hand, Karim Girgis, the center’s director of communications
and partnerships, stated that while only four winners were selected from a
crowded field of applicants, the jury opted to honor several remarkable works
with certificates of appreciation. This, he added, was a clear nod to the fact
that building peace requires collaboration, not just chasing the spotlight of
competition for the award.
The competition awards were as follows:
First Place: Awarded to Father Asaad Talaat, pastor of
the Evangelical Church and founder of "Balansoura Ship" in Minya
Governorate, a project dedicated to fostering a culture of tolerance and
peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
Second
Place: Awarded to Sameh Nessim, a
development and training consultant, for his project aimed at promoting a
culture of acceptance in Aswan.
Third
Place: A tie between artist Rola, who
created the song "People of the Book," and Dr. Dalia Ehab Younes, who
works to foster peace through "sacred music."
In another recognition, Michael Fares, a journalist at Youm7 newspaper and
author of Hate Media: Mechanisms for Covering Identity Conflicts, was
honored with a Jury Commendation and a Certificate of Appreciation for his
insightful contributions.
Sameh Thabet, a tour guide, PhD researcher, and founder of the Heart of
Egypt Foundation for Education and Development, also received a Certificate of
Appreciation for his unwavering dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence
between religious communities, championing cultural diversity through dialogue
workshops, art, and sports.
Amir Boulos, an official at the Basel Foundation for the Service of
People with Intellectual Disabilities and Special Needs in Minya Governorate,
proudly received a Certificate of Appreciation for his visionary leadership in
a project that is truly making waves. His initiative, which skillfully combines
art, social, and health skills, is helping to rehabilitate children and youth
with disabilities and integrate them into society through creative expression
and awareness.
Marwa Abdullah, director of a community initiative at the Lady Maryam
Vocational Training Center, was also honored with a Certificate of
Appreciation. Through her tireless efforts, she is empowering individuals
professionally and educationally, all the while bridging gaps and promoting
peace between religious communities—one step at a time.
Lola Lahham, a former journalist at Al-Ahram and director of a
development project at the Upper Egypt Association for Education and
Development, was celebrated with a Certificate of Appreciation for her
exceptional creativity in preserving the artistic and cultural heritage of Akhmim
in Sohag Governorate. Her groundbreaking work, the first of its kind, documents
the intricate arts of hand-weaving and embroidery, ensuring these traditions
are beautifully woven into the fabric of history.
Likewise, journalists Mariam Rafaat and Irene Moussa were both honored
with Certificates of Appreciation for their remarkable collaboration in
championing a culture of acceptance. Their research paper, which thoughtfully
highlights influential figures who have helped bridge divides between religious
communities throughout history, serves as a testament to their dedication to
interfaith dialogue.
Khalil El-Masry, a peace-building consultant, was also awarded a
Certificate of Appreciation for his groundbreaking initiative, the
"Journey of Peace." Since its launch in 2016, this annual project has
steadily worked to nurture the values of peaceful coexistence among young
people across Egypt’s various governorates, slowly but surely fostering unity
and understanding.
Trez Hany Habib was celebrated with a Certificate of Appreciation for
her inspiring leadership in empowering girls in rural and underserved
communities. Through her "My Precious Daughter" project, she
tirelessly works to enhance education, promote psychological empowerment,
advocate for gender equality, and build a foundation of peace and religious
tolerance.
