In a humane gesture and in return for their favor, during the EFH 10th anniversary celebrations, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb and HH Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, were keen to celebrate four personalities who had a great impact in making national events that went down in history. The first of these figures is HH Pope. Shenouda III, who is quoted to have said, “Egypt is not a country we live in, but a country that lives in us.” Pope. Shenouda III adopted many patriotic stances that made history, including his participation in the founding of the EFH in 2011. The second figure is Prof. Mahmoud Azab, former General Coordinator of the EFH, who was interested in the culture of dialogue and largely contributed to the EFH founding. He opened EFH branches in the governorates of Egypt and was an advisor to HE the Grand Imam. The third figure is Prof. Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq, former Minister of Religious Endowments, former EFH Secretary-General. During his term, many EFH branches were opened and its committees engaged remarkable activities, besides holding meetings between sheikhs and priests. The fourth of these personalities is Mr. Osama Ezzat Habib Al-ˁAbd, and whose EFH activities and efforts in drafting its regulations are memorable. The EFH aims to preserve the unifying national fabric of Egyptian citizens, maintain the Egyptian character, preserve Egyptian identity, restore supreme Islamic and Christian values, and focus on the collective common denominators, and work on promoting them. It also aims at sustaining diversity and mutual respect for the right to integrative difference, reviving the values of citizenship and authentic traditions, and strengthening Egyptian cultural peculiarities. 

The conference will discuss a number of themes over four sessions, including tolerance of  texts and its role in supporting community peace, and the impact of citizenship in consolidating coexistence. It will also address historical stances and practical applications of key EFH achievements, as well as joint cooperation between EFH and the World Organization of Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG) in commending peace. It also discusses EFH role in preserving national identity and in confronting violence against women, in addition to discussing the “Together We Build Egypt” initiative and its role in enhancing intellectual security.