Cairo: Egypt's enlightened religious discourse serves as a safety valve not only for the region but for the entire world, Awqaf Ministry Spokesman Osama Raslan said on Monday, February 23, 2026. According to State Information Service Egypt, Raslan, in a statement to the Egyptian Television, underscored Egypt's historic role in intellectual enlightenment, renewing religious discourse, and exercising scholarly reasoning in interpreting religious texts and applying them appropriately to contemporary realities. He highlighted the launch of the International Islamic Thought Forum from the historic Imam Hussein Mosque in Cairo, noting that the event has drawn broad international participation via videoconference, in addition to thousands of foreign students studying in Egypt and representing 26 countries. This, he said, reaffirms Egypt's scientific standing and leadership in serving Islamic thought. Raslan added that the forum aims to promote dialogue grounded in righteousness and knowledge, while continuing to project Egypt's enlightened religious vision domestically and abroad.