Awqaf Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa said on Friday Islam is a religion of peace, Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of peace and Islam's greeting is peace.

"Islam teaches people to accept others and respect them," Gomaa said during the Friday sermon at Al Wadi Al Moqdas Mosque in Saint Catherine city of South Sinai.

He added that Islam is a religion of diversity and calls for coexistence among people without discrimination based on race, religion or sex.

Islamic conquests respected the human civilization, Gomaa stressed, adding "Islam is a religion of tolerance and moderation rather than extremism."

Source : Mena