Egypt's first int’l anti-extremism conference develops strategies to combat terrorism

The international conference on confronting religious extremism, hosted by Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta on June 7-9, concluded with the adoption of some strategies to confront extremism and terrorism. Under the title “Religious Extremism: Intellectual Foundation and Confrontation Strategies”, the conference was held under the patronage of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli.

It is the first international conference organized by the Salam Center for Extremism Studies, a research and academic center affiliated with Dar Al-Ifta, attended by representatives of the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the European Commission, the Arab League, and a number of ministers, leaders, muftis, and intellectuals from 42 countries around the world, Dar Al-Ifta said in a statement.

“During various events of the conference, we discussed a number of issues related to countering extremism and terrorist ideology,” Dr. Ibrahim Negm, senior advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt, told Jusoor Post. “We analyzed the pillars of extremist thought and set out integrated policies to confront the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism, proposing ways to enhance regional and international cooperation in this framework.”

Negm added that the conference came up with important initiatives and recommendations, including holding online seminars and courses to spread awareness among young people of the dangers of extremism, increasing translated materials on the right concepts of interfaith coexistence and dialogue, and preparing educational curricula that rejects hate speech. 

“The Salam Center for Extremism Studies announced organizing an annual global forum in order to coordinate efforts, increase effectiveness, and implement joint initiatives among all regional and international religious institutions, decision makers, and academic and research centers,” Negm stated.  

In his speech during the opening session of the conference, director of the UN Counterterrorism Centre (UNCCT) and the Office of Counterterrorism Jehangir Khan praised Salam Center’s vision and efforts to reinforce international cooperation on eradicating violent extremism, Dar Al-Ifta reported.

Khan hailed Egypt’s pivotal role in attracting international attention towards combating terrorism and extremist ideology in all its forms.  

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Wessam, member of the Supreme Consultative Commission for Training and Research at Dar Al-Ifta and Fatwa Secretary, told Jusoor Post that Egypt has the greatest religious pluralism experience and is considered a leading country in combating terrorism using both security and ideological means. 

“Correcting misconceptions about Islam and fighting Islamophopia are among Dar Al-Ifta’s main objectives,” he added. “The conference highlights that Islam calls for coexisting with the other. Religious moderation is the safe key for existence. The world has witnessed Islam’s justice and mercy throughout different civilizations and eras. The extremist terrorist ideology emerged decades ago and is combated by Egypt’s moderate approach represented by Al-Azhar.”

Wessam emphasized that hate and extremist speech have nothing to do with Islam. “Hatred only serves terrorist ideology adopted by those extremists to distort Islam. This global conference is a huge qualitative transformation in fighting those outlaws. The more local, regional and international cooperation there is, the sooner the objective is achieved,” he told Jusoor Post.

“The renewal of religious discourse is imperative to address the current reality and a strong answer to misconceptions raised by extremists,” he added.