Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism lauds the statements made by His Excellency Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Monday. Commenting on the controversy over the offensive cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad, El-Sisi confirmed the official stance of Egypt which condemns and denounces all terrorist attacks and categorically rejects any justification whatsoever for these crimes. El-Sisi also stressed that Muslims hold all followers of religions in respect and appreciation, noting that Muslims maintain “religious values” in much higher rank than “other values.”
During the press conference, El-Sisi also demanded that the insults to religious symbols and sacred items –which are practiced under the disguise of freedom of expression– should be stopped. Moreover, he confirmed that freedom of expression should not lead to hurting the feelings of others, adding that it is not acceptable to transgress religious values for human values.
In this regard, the Observatory commends President El-Sisi’s statements and comments, considering them important especially at a time when anti-Muslims hatred and crimes are notably on the rise in Europe. The Observatory also stressed the importance of reconsidering some of the human values which allow the hurting of Muslim feelings under the pretence of freedom of expression.