**University President Attends Part of the Seminar

“Correcting Misconceptions about Religious Concepts” at the Faculty of Archaeology**

           Prof. Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, attended today, Monday, 17 November 2025, part of the seminar titled “Correcting Religious Misconceptions”, organized by the Faculty of Archaeology, as part of the university’s efforts to promote enlightened awareness and reinforce the values of moderate religious thought among its students.

The seminar was attended by Dr. Abdo Abaza, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Barr, Head of the Restoration Department; along with a number of students from the faculty.

The seminar was delivered by Sheikh Mohamed Mohamed Abu Al-Wafa, preacher at the Damietta Directorate of Endowments, who presented a balanced and scholarly discussion on widespread religious misconceptions and ways to correct them. He emphasized that confronting extremist thinking begins with offering a moderate religious discourse based on a correct understanding of Sharia texts.

Sheikh Abu Al-Wafa stressed the importance of verifying religious information and obtaining it from trusted sources. He urged students to adhere to the authentic values of Islam—mercy and tolerance—while praising the university’s role in organizing events that contribute to building strong and enlightened student awareness.

For her part, Prof. Dr. Yousra Ezz El-Rejal, Dean of the Faculty of Archaeology, affirmed the faculty’s keenness to organize various educational activities aimed at supporting students’ intellectual and cultural awareness. She noted that promoting moderate thinking is an essential part of the faculty’s mission in developing the educational system and building a balanced student personality. She also expressed her gratitude to the University President for his continuous support of student activities and for the constructive cooperation with the Ministry of Endowments.

In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally stressed the university’s strong interest in seminars that aim to correct misconceptions and enhance students’ religious and intellectual awareness. He pointed out that confronting misguided ideas is a shared responsibility in which both educational and religious institutions work together.

The University President added that Damietta University is keen to launch initiatives and activities that contribute to building students’ personalities on the foundations of moderation, openness, and critical thinking, noting that young people are the cornerstone of building a society capable of facing intellectual and cultural challenges. He also expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Endowments and the Damietta Directorate of Endowments for their ongoing cooperation, affirming that the university will continue offering such purposeful seminars that align with the state’s strategy to promote enlightened awareness and strengthen the values of national identity and belonging.