Egypt's Helmy el Namnam

Taking part in a conference of Arab culture ministers to kick off here Wednesday, Egypt's Helmy el Namnam will review his country's vision on terrorism and extremism. 

Namnam, in statements to MENA correspondent in Tunis Tuesday, said he will focus on the risk of the return of members of terrorist groups to their homelands - including Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia - after the liberation of Iraq and Syria, where they are currently active. 

Figuring high in the conference will also be the attacks on archaelogical and ancient sites in the Arab world, including those in Syria's Palmyra and Iraq's Mosul, not to mention the most recent attack on the 110-year-old Boutroseya Church in Egypt, the minister said.

"This is not the first attack that targets our churches and mosques in Egypt at times of religious gatherings," Namnam said, adding that those terrorists aim to foment sectarian tension in the country. 

Christians are a "point of power" in the history and future of Egypt, the minister stressed. 

Arab countries should act to boost awareness among their youth and peoples to unite together in the face of terrorism, Namnam said.

Source: MENA