The Egyptian Arts Academy in Rome, currently head by Jihan Zaki, has received a visit by a group of 45 students and a number of professors of religious sciences from the Pontificio Istituto di Scienze Religiose (the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences), including Fr Nicholas Lombardi, head of the HIRS.
The Academy organised a cultural programme for the group. It began with touring an exhibition titled “Tutankhamun and the hidden treasure”, which revealed the story behind the young Pharaoh’s tomb and its discovery in 1922 at the hands of British archaeologist Howard Carter. There was also an art exhibition displaying rare paintings by a number of Egypt’s pioneering modern artists.
The visit witnessed a discussion between Fr Nicholas and Dr Zaki on the possibility of holding workshops and seminars between young people belonging to different religions, with the aim of better knowing the ‘other’, and focusing on common values and principles among human beings wherever they are and whatever their religion.
“Such meetings and visits are welcomed by the Academy in order to project the image of Egypt far removed from terrorism and extremism, through interaction between both Egyptian and Italian youth,” Dr Zaki noted.
Established by the Decree of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education on May 30, 1987, the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences is connected with the Theology Faculty of the Pontifical Lateran University.