In the light of Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism's (AOCE) endeavors to immunize the younger generations against misleading ideologies, the AOCE launched an initiative called “Towards an Azhari Approach to Combat Extremism,” specifically directed at university students. In this regard, a symposium was organized in the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, entitled “Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Its Efforts in Combating Extremism.” The lecturers from AOCE provided an overview of AOCE’s outcomes, which are considered a main reference for academic researchers in combating extremism and terrorism.
Moreover, they elucidated the ideology of far-right extremism in the West, with particular focus on France, and underscored its origins, motivations, and impact on Muslims. Then, they addressed the strategies employed by extremist factions in their online recruitment efforts via social media platforms, disseminating misleading narratives designed to evoke sympathy under the pretext of religious justification.
Regarding the human responsibility towards life and religion, they affirmed that it is not reasonable to attribute barbaric actions or backwardness to religions. Allah says, “And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance.” Among the concepts that AOCE seeks to correct is the idea of freedom. Freedom cannot be viewed as an absolute value; this contradicts reason. Moroccan philosopher Taha Abdel Rahman expressed it saying, "Seeking freedom away from Allah inevitably leads to eliminating freedom, and even seeking its opposite."
Finally, the initiative aims to raise awareness, correct misconceptions, and challenge stereotypes in order to promote self-intellectual protection against disinformation campaigns.