The High International Committee of the African-Asian Union (AFASU) grants Egypt’s St. Catherine World Best Capital of Religions, Tolerance Award, during a ceremony in Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday.
The award recognizes St. Catherine’s significant role as a global center for religious tolerance, cultural heritage, and tourism. The city is particularly revered by followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, as it’s believed to be the site of the biblical Transfiguration and where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Dr. Khaled Mubarak, Governor of South Sinai, expressed pride in the city’s recognition. He highlighted the ongoing Great Transfiguration Project, a major initiative to enhance the city’s infrastructure and position it as a leading destination for religious, environmental, and therapeutic tourism.
The award comes as Egypt’s tourism sector continues to thrive. In 2023, the country welcomed a record 14.9 million tourists, surpassing the previous high of 14.7 million in 2010. The first half of 2024 saw another record-breaking performance, with 7.1 million tourists and $6.6 billion in revenue.
