Head of the Evangelical Community and Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Attend
Conference on “Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence”
Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki: Confronting hate speech begins with rebuilding awareness and strengthening the value of the human being
We need an alternative discourse based on dialogue, respect, compassion, and acceptance of diversity
Professor Michel Abs: Egypt was chosen to host the conference because of its status as a land of encounter and unity
The region is suffering not only from wars and armies, but also from a war of narratives and a war of words
Source: Facebook Page of the Presidency of the Evangelical Community in Egypt.
Cairo, October 4, 2026
Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt and President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS), participated, on Sunday, in the regional conference “Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence.” The conference was organized by CEOSS in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) at the CEOSS’ headquarters in Cairo, with the participation of a distinguished group of Religious and intellectual leaders, researchers, and thinkers from Egypt and several Arab countries.
The conference was attended by Mr. Dr. Salama Daoud, Former President of Al-Azhar University, representing His Eminence the Grand Imam, Mr. Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Sheikh Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Dr. Ibrahim Najem, General Advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt and Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Fatwa Houses and Authorities Worldwide, representing the Grand Mufti, Dr. Gerges Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, and Father Dr. Makary Tadros, Professor of Theology and Dogma at the Coptic Clerical College, both representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, His Eminence Bishop Thomas Adly, Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum, and Beni Suef and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches, representing His Beatitude Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, Mr. Helmy El-Namnam, Former Minister of Culture, Reverend Amir Tharwat, President of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile, Rev. Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, as well as Priests, Muslim Scholars, Religious Figures, and Nuns. The conference was also attended by several members of the Egyptian Parliament, thought leaders in Egyptian society, Religious leaders, and researchers, thinkers, and specialists in dialogue, social cohesion, and combating hate speech from across the Arab world.
In his word, Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki welcomed the participants, emphasizing that the conference comes within the framework of joint cooperation between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS). He noted that it reflects a shared belief in the importance of coordinating efforts and exchanging expertise in the fields of dialogue, strengthening social cohesion, building bridges of communication, and respecting diversity.
Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki said: “The world is witnessing tensions, conflicts, and divisions whose effects extend to relations among people, social stability, opportunities for development, and dialogue.” He stressed that confronting hate speech begins with understanding its nature and distinguishing between differences of opinion and hate speech, noting that freedom of expression is a fundamental right but does not mean inciting hostility toward others, disparaging them, or excluding them.
In his word, Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, emphasized that the conference is part of efforts to confront “demonization and hate speech.” He explained that Egypt was chosen to host the conference because of its position as a land of encounter and social unity, adding that cooperation with CEOSS represents a continuation of joint efforts in dialogue, social cohesion, and promoting human dignity.
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches pointed out that the region suffers not only from wars and armies, but also from “a war of narratives and a war of words.” He noted that a single word posted on social media or written on a street wall can contribute to dangerous events, and that some Religious, media, and political platforms can become outlets for demonization and hate speech.
He called for a comprehensive national plan to confront hatred and demonization, including monitoring the phenomenon, promoting education on diversity, dialogue, and critical thinking, strengthening media and digital literacy, establishing an independent national observatory for hate speech, developing an ethical code for the media, reviewing Religious discourse, and establishing a legal framework that distinguishes between freedom of expression and direct incitement to violence or discrimination, while involving universities, research centers, and civil society.
For her part, Mrs. Samira Louka, Head of the Dialogue Sector at CEOSS and Member of the National Council for Human Rights, welcomed the conference’s guests and participants. She emphasized the importance of the regional gathering in creating space for dialogue and exchanging expertise on confronting hate speech, promoting human dignity and social cohesion, and integrating the roles of Religious, community, intellectual, and media institutions in addressing forms of discourse that threaten social peace.
Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Rehabilitation of Human Dignity Program at the Middle East Council of Churches, also emphasized that the conference provides an academic and intellectual space bringing together researchers and thinkers with diverse Arab experiences to discuss the responsibility of the State, institutions, and society in confronting hate speech and its relationship with violent extremism.