The Christian-Muslim Center for Understanding and Partnership, affiliated with the Episcopal Church, in partnership with Gesour Cultural Center and SAT-7, organized a seminar as part of the “More Than Business” program of the “Gylna Plus” initiative. The event featured businessman and engineer Ayman Abbas and was attended by Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Alexandria Province of the Episcopal Church, and Bishop Dr. Mouneer Anis Hanna, Archbishop Emeritus and Director of the Christian-Muslim Center. The seminar was held at All Saints’ Episcopal Cathedral Hall in Zamalek.
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy welcomed one of the inspiring figures in society, businessman Ayman Abbas, expressing his delight at the strong presence of young people and their eagerness to learn and gain experience. He emphasized the importance of approaching challenges positively on the path to success, noting that the achievements of successful business leaders extend beyond professional accomplishments to include earning people’s respect and building relationships founded on trust and mutual appreciation.
The Archbishop also quoted Eng. Ayman Abbas as saying, “Our opportunities for success within our own country are among our greatest assets,” and expressed his sincere gratitude for Abbas’s presence and inspiring contribution to the event.
During the seminar, Eng. Ayman Abbas spoke about how success is not limited to entrepreneurship or business ventures but also encompasses life experiences and the obstacles and challenges individuals encounter along the way. He explained that the ability to deal effectively with challenges is what enables people to move forward with confidence.
Addressing young people who may feel uncertain about where to begin, he stressed that every journey can start with the simplest step available and that the most important thing is having the courage to make decisions, even in the face of discouragement or limited support from others.
He further noted that success is not determined by the type of project or field one chooses but by perseverance and consistency. Quoting Charles Darwin, he said, “It is not the strongest or the smartest who survive, but those most capable of adapting.” He also discussed the reality of failure in early attempts, explaining that setbacks and losses in some ventures are natural because life is not a perfect world and the road to success is often filled with difficulties and challenges.
Abbas expressed his enthusiasm for following the projects presented by young entrepreneurs on the television program “Shark Tank,” emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation and self-confidence when presenting ideas to investors.
He concluded by affirming that the end of any experience does not mean the end of the road; rather, it can mark the beginning of new opportunities. He added that some of the most impactful experiences in his life were his direct encounters with ordinary people and workers in the streets, which gave him a deeper appreciation for the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication.