Minister of Awqaf (Religious Affairs) Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq of Egypt

A statement by the Ministry said some mass media have tried to insinuate that Minister of Awqaf Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq has approved.

Minister of Awkaf and Head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq said that the Islamic call enjoys constant support by the government and the President.

Egypt's Minister of Awkaf (Endowments), Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq said Egypt, the country that houses Al-Azhar for more than one thousand years, would be a hub for Moderate Islamic mind.

Zaqzouq said in a speech that some Muslims project a bad impression about Islam and display a distorted image of it.

Zaqzouq has already assembled a group of muezzinine with outstanding voices including the renowned Sheikh Neena, who will alternately perform the azan from some of Cairos larger mosques, such as Omar Makram or Al-Azhar.

The 69-year-old Zaqzouq has throughout his illustrious career as a scholar, professor, writer and public figure been a champion of a more moderate form of Islam that rarely gets airtime these days, when extremism is dominating the world agenda.

A graduate of Al-Azhar Universitys faculty of Arabic studies, Zaqzouq was awarded a postgraduate studies scholarship to the University of Munich in Germany in 1960.

Zaqzouq has authored over 25 books, many of which deal with the subject of reforming the religious discourse in Islam and the relationship between Islam and the West, subjects which have become increasingly focused on in the aftermath of 9/11.

Egypt's Minister of Awqaf (Religious Affairs) Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq said that over 88 religious and cultural figures from Arab and foreign states as well as representatives of certain Islamic organizations are expected to attend the conference.

Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Dr.

Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq said that the Islamic call enjoys constant support by the government and the President.