Latest news with #AOCE
Al-Ahram Weekly
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Azhar warns against exploiting theology to justify Zionist aggression - Foreign Affairs
In a statement on Monday, the AOCE cautioned that this theological framing goes beyond political and geographic disputes into the core of religious beliefs. It highlighted specific misinterpretations of Biblical prophecies, particularly the "Gog and Magog" prophecy in the Book of Ezekiel (Chapters 38 and 39), which describes a major battle in the "last days" against the Jews. These groups interpret "Persia," mentioned in this prophecy, as referring to modern-day Iran, which is portrayed as the central adversary in a hostile alliance targeting the Zionist entity, the AOCE said. Per this view, Iran is not merely a regional nuclear threat, but a key figure in an "End Times" scenario. The AOCE added that these interpretations frame the establishment of the Zionist entity in 1948 as the beginning of the fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy, and any threat to its existence as a prelude to the so-called "Final Battle" before Christ's second coming. Christian Zionist media widely promotes this narrative in the United States by producing content that links every escalation with Iran to these theological prophecies. According to the AOCE, this bolsters conservative public support for the Zionist entity and shapes the US policymakers' views, which increasingly consider support for Israel as both a religious duty and a strategic necessity. Moreover, the observatory stressed that the Zionist entity uses such theological interpretations to justify its expansionist and aggressive policies against Arab and Islamic nations, fueling instability and violence across the Middle East. The AOCE also warned the international community against the consequences of continued silence over the inhumane crimes committed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza, particularly weaponizing starvation and targeting unarmed civilians seeking essential food and medicine. The Al-Azhar observatory urged an immediate halt to systematic killings and called for the urgent and unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as a fundamental human right guaranteed by international covenants and conventions. "The ongoing international silence represnts a moral complicity with the occupation's crimes and undermines the humanitarian values the global order claims to uphold," it concluded.
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Al Azahar warns against Israeli attempts to deviate youths away from supporting Palestinian cause, Jerusalem
Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif participates in the fourth edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum on May 6, 2025- press photo CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Speaking at fourth edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum, organized by the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, addressed the role of youth in defending the Palestinian cause. He stressed that this cause must hold a central place in their hearts. He denounced Zionist propaganda as false and manipulative, asserting that the Zionist entity has no legitimate claim to Palestinian land. Duwaini warned against Israeli attempts to minimize the conflict by turning it into a dispute between the Palestinians and the Israeli gang, and distancing it from its Islamic framework so that the youth are far from supporting Palestine and Jerusalem. This all is pure illusion. So, he urged youth to see through these efforts and to understand the true nature of the Zionist project: racist, expansionist, and colonialist. He called on young people to counter these narratives through voluntary initiatives that expose Zionist atrocities and maintain the Palestinian cause as a top priority across the Arab and Islamic world. He praised the global popular solidarity with Palestine, expressed through peaceful demonstrations and public awareness campaigns in capitals worldwide. 'The persistent oppression, displacement, and land confiscation committed by the Zionist enemy,' he said, 'demand that young people take initiative and volunteer for Palestine.' He described this as a national, religious, historical, and humanitarian duty. He underscored the significance of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum, especially in a world plagued by ideological conflicts, deep polarization, and deliberate attempts to destabilize nations. These efforts, he warned, often target the youth—nations' most vital asset—in attempts to sever them from their faith, history, and identity. El-Duwaini emphasized that youth are the most valuable treasure any nation possesses—its pillar of strength, living wealth, and enduring hope. He stressed that a nation's progress and civilization are reflected in its investment in youth and its commitment to equipping them to shoulder the future. He cautioned against framing or limiting the outcomes of the forum, instead calling for reflection on its stated objectives—goals that should be deeply rooted in public consciousness, especially among young people. Dr. El-Duwaini conveyed several important messages to the youth, foremost among them being the value of voluntary initiatives. He explained that voluntary work goes beyond optional prayers or charitable donations; it encompasses all acts that benefit humanity. Volunteering, he said, is firmly rooted in both the Quran and Sunnah and should be understood as a noble religious act with immense spiritual and social rewards. He urged young people to discover the goodness within themselves, to act without waiting for crises, and to take initiative in doing good for others. Such efforts, he noted, foster stronger communities, build self-confidence, enhance communication, and develop virtues such as compassion, mercy, and empathy. Dr. El-Duwaini also reflected on Islam's enduring role as a guiding force in society. He described Islam as a pure faith that enlightens hearts, a dynamic legal system that uplifts humanity, and a moral framework that nurtures peaceful and compassionate societies. He affirmed that the Islamic nation has always remained steadfast—preserving its religion, protecting its sanctities, and taking pride in its values and heritage. Its scholars and thinkers, he noted, have consistently balanced authenticity with modernity, ensuring the faith remains relevant and rooted in truth. Concluding his speech, El-Duwaini emphasized the heavy responsibility borne by religious institutions and their scholars. He called on leaders to stay attuned to the realities and challenges facing people across all aspects of life—political, economic, social, and educational. He urged religious figures to offer a balanced and informed discourse to counter deviant ideologies, thereby preserving public faith, safeguarding societal cohesion, and ensuring peace and stability.
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Al-Azhar Observatory's 4th edition of ‘Listen and Talk' Forum calls for integrating Palestinian cause into educational curricula
The fourth edition of the 'Listen and Speak' Forum, organized by Egypt's Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) kicked off on May 6, 2025- press photo CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Participants in the fourth edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum, organized by Egypt's Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), put forward a series of recommendations aimed at supporting the Palestinian cause. Key proposals included integrating the Palestinian issue systematically into educational curricula at all levels and launching a wide-reaching digital media campaign to expose the practices of the Zionist occupation. In its closing statement, the Forum emphasized the need to develop training programs for youth focused on community engagement, leadership, and initiative. It recommended supporting youth-led initiatives that address social and economic challenges within local communities, alongside providing financial and technical backing for civil society organizations that empower young people. Additionally, the statement called for greater collaboration between civil society organizations and governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education, and Al-Azhar University, to ensure youth participation in initiatives and events at the local, regional, and international levels. The Forum further recommended enhancing cooperation between educational institutions and civil society to design interactive programs that cultivate critical thinking and promote active citizenship among young people. Such efforts, it stressed, would serve as a safeguard against extremist ideologies and foster constructive societal engagement. It also underscored the importance of verifying news and information through official sources, echoing the Quranic principle: "Then verify." On strengthening youth involvement in supporting the Palestinian cause, the Forum advocated for the integration of the issue into educational content with a focus on its historical, humanitarian, and legal dimensions. It highlighted the crucial role of the Egyptian state—particularly Al-Azhar Al-Sharif—in championing this cause, thereby raising awareness among young people and encouraging their active engagement, especially in digital spaces. The Forum proposed the establishment of a fund to support alternative youth-led media initiatives, recognizing media as a powerful tool for disseminating constructive content and responsibly addressing social and humanitarian issues. This fund would aim to provide an attractive, trustworthy platform for youth expression and creativity—protecting them from extremist media, biased international narratives, and misinformation surrounding the Palestinian statehood cause. It also called for the launch of a large-scale digital media campaign led by youth to expose the practices of the Zionist occupation and to inform the international community of the rights of the Palestinian people. The campaign would leverage modern digital tools to maximize global reach and impact. To support this, the Forum emphasized the importance of building youth capacity in digital media, suggesting the organization of workshops and training programs in content creation, digital marketing, and combating hate speech and extremist ideologies. Al-Azhar Observatory announced plans to soon unveil a comprehensive training package designed to deconstruct extremist ideologies in both Arab and Western contexts. The Observatory also committed to backing youth-led digital initiatives that counter misinformation and hate speech, and to providing platforms for showcasing digital creativity and sharing experiences. As part of this commitment, the Observatory announced the launch of the Ihya platform, intended to serve as a foundation for future digital platforms aimed at engaging youth. The fourth edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum concluded with a call to action: to transform these recommendations into tangible outcomes. The Forum urged all relevant institutions and dynamic young individuals to join forces in achieving these shared goals, reaffirming the belief that youth are the true architects of the future. The organizers expressed their optimism and openness to new ideas, particularly in preparation for the Forum's fifth edition next year.
