Under the auspices of the Fund for Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Persons (FAVOT), and in cooperation with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), the Ministry of Religious Endowments (Awqaf), Egypt, and the Dakahlia Directorate of Religious Endowments, the first training workshop for imams and female religious preachers commenced on Sunday, 8 February 2026. The workshop aims to prepare participants to deliver awareness messages on the risks of trafficking in persons throughout Dakahlia Governorate.
The workshop brought together 30 imams and female religious preachers from various districts and cities across Dakahlia Governorate, as part of efforts to prepare qualified religious leaders capable of delivering accurate awareness messages on trafficking in persons through mosques, sermons, and religious outreach activities, in line with the principles of Islam and the relevant national and international legal frameworks.
The intensive training workshop, which represents a cornerstone of the strategic expansion of community awareness efforts, covers several key topics, including an introduction to the Fund for Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Persons (FAVOT), its mandate, responsibilities, and victim assistance mechanisms; the nature of trafficking in persons and its emerging forms and patterns; and the national and international legal frameworks governing the crime. Participants also receive training on identifying and reporting suspected cases through secure reporting mechanisms, coordinating with the competent authorities and law enforcement agencies, and developing practical awareness messages for Friday sermons, religious lessons, and preaching sessions to address community awareness needs. In addition, interactive workshops are conducted to strengthen participants' analytical and communication skills when engaging with different segments of society.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates of completion to the participants in the presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Religious Endowments (Awqaf), Egypt and the Director of the Dakahlia Directorate of Religious Endowments, reaffirming the important religious and community role in strengthening the State's efforts to combat trafficking in persons and protect society from a crime that violates human dignity.
In the same context, representatives of the organizing entities emphasized that the workshop represents a practical model of cooperation among government entities, religious institutions, and civil society in addressing complex societal challenges. They noted that imams and female religious preachers are key partners in promoting awareness and strengthening community resilience against the exploitation of people in vulnerable situations.
