Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism has received Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, to recognize the Observatory’s efforts in combating extremist thought and replying to misconceptions spread and exploited by the extremist groups to recruit youth.
During the Visit, the Observatory’s supervisors presented the mechanism of action of the Observatory which operates in 12 languages and highlighted the key national and international issues focused on, monitored and investigated by researchers.
On his part, the UN High Representative for Alliance of Civilizations stated that Al-Azhar Observatory mechanism of work actually covers the key issues of the contemporary time, stressing that out of the great role played by the Observatory in combating extremist thoughts, there should be a kind of cooperation between the Observatory and the EU agencies during the next period.
At the end of the visit, Mr. Moratinos had a long discussion with the Observatory’s researchers about the key themes of “the Characteristics of the Extremist Personality,” a study to be published soon by the Observatory. Mr. Moratinos also expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by Al-Azhar in countering the extremist thought and fatwas.