Egyptian Awqaf minister reiterates firm stance against militants groups

The Ministry of Awqaf has reiterated its firm stance against terrorist groups and extremist ideologies.
Awqaf Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa said in a statement Monday he will be addressing all files related to the religious discourse.
The Awqaf Ministry is keen on countering the parallel Muslim culture promoted through centers affiliated with some groups and associations, Gomaa said.
He added that the Ministry will also take action against a number of publishing houses, especially those that print publications of Muslim Brotherhood leaders or books that promote extremism, as well as Baha'i or Shiite ideologies that are politically oriented and aim to undermine national security.
Awqaf imams and scholars are willing to fight all those battles at one time with the help of Allah and through a strong political will and the support of citizens, Gomaa said.
This, he added, will be done through collective action and in coordination with all national institutions.
Gomaa, on behalf of all Awqaf scholars, imams and preachers, congratulated President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on the successful Arab Summit and Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC), seeing in that a sign from Allah that Egypt is heading in the right direction.
He thanked the president for his keenness on renewing the religious discourse. Sisi, Gomaa added, always stresses that he is seeking a revolution for religion and not against it.
The minister also thanked Sisi for his directives to complete the Sahaba Mosque in Sharm el Sheikh at the expense of the Armed Forces.