"Anti-ISIS" session on the sidelines of the UN meetings
Al-Azhar Delegation: "focusing on social, developmental and religious aspects to counter terrorism and violence"
AIRA Secretary-General: the world needs to re-embrace common spiritual and ethical values and spread the culture of tolerance and peace.
The Secretary-General of Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA), Dr Mohie Ed-deen Afifi, said that there's an international consensus on the importance of countering ISIS and the terrorist organizations in order to establish stability and coexistence between the peoples of the world. The "Anti-ISIS and Violent extremism" session held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York stressed that terrorism is targeting all nations and countering terrorism can be achieved through international efforts.
AIRA Secretary-General - who attended the UN summit sessions - said that the international visions shared on this summit show that there's a consensus on the importance of integrating the means of countering terrorism. Military solutions shouldn't be the only resort and other solutions should be used; such as deploying websites, social media and all the mass media communication platforms to correct the wrong information ISIS is spreading and clearing the truth about Islam and protecting youth from the danger of violence and extremism.
Afifi pointed out that proposals shared by the state representatives during the summit have shown that focusing on the social, developmental, educational, and religious aspects is considered one of the most important means to counter all terrorist organizations as it strengthens communities and fights violence. Al-Azhar Al-Sharif stressed these points as a part of its global vision and contributions within the international conclave presided by the United States of America and the membership of the United Kingdom, Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and a number of other states.
AIRA secretary-General also said that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has presented its counterterrorism efforts in the meeting held in Cairo last May. He asserted that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has stressed its role through participating in anti-ISIS summit in New York.
Afifi also stressed that attending these sessions showed the international presence of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. There's a global trust and respect for Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, its role and capability to intellectually counter terrorism. Attendants praised efforts made by religious and spiritual leaders and religious organizations with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif on top of them to counter terrorism. Al Azhar Al-Sharif focuses on clearing misconceptions and refuting allegations against Islam as the best means of countering intellectual terrorism locally, regionally and internationally in a clear and simple way based on tolerance and mercy.
Afifi also pointed out that New York summit stressed the importance of re-considering religious, spiritual, cultural and human values as they unveil the lies of terrorist organizations. He also said that New York conclave called for the importance of exerting international efforts based on the notions of equality, mutual respect of identities, cultural notions, social legacies, religious beliefs and spiritual values of the peoples of the world.
Afifi revealed that the anti-ISIS meeting stressed the importance of giving the opportunity to young people in order to prove and express themselves in practical ways and help them take up the responsibility and their role in building their nations. The summit also stressed the importance of the role families play in the community. Families should take up their role in terms of looking after, mentoring, guiding and communicating with their own children using proper approaches that can protect them from being attracted and used via social media. The conclave also praised the role of women; therefore, women should be given more attention in order to improve the realities they have to survive and protect them from violence, injustice, and slavery that ISIS is promoting for. Education should also be on top of the priorities in order to instill the culture of diversity, peaceful coexistence and respecting others.
AIRA secretary-general said that attending the UN summit sessions has confirmed to him the world's need to re-embrace the spiritual and common ethical values and spreading the culture of tolerance and world peace, the role of the family and education entities as well as the community. All attendees have agreed on the importance of the roles of communities and all individuals in countering terrorism for achieving peace and security.