Al-Azhar goes online to fight extremism

As terrorist groups mobilize young Muslims in cyberspace, religious institutions in Egypt are reviving religious discourse and recruiting technology to counter extremist ideas.
Students take an exam in one of the Al-Azhar institutes in Cairo, Egypt, May 20, 2015. Picture taken May 20, 2015. To match Special Report EGYPT-ISLAM/AZHAR REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih - RTR4Y73S
Students take an exam in one of the Al-Azhar institutes in Cairo, May 20, 2015. - REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih
RehamMokbel.jpg
Reham Mokbel
Read in 

CAIRO — Al-Azhar is preparing to fight extremism and terrorism in the wake of accusations of negligence in countering extremism and calls for the renewal of religious discourse.

Al-Azhar has created an online observatory to reply to terrorists’ allegations in different languages. In the same context, the Ministry of Religious Endowments held training classes for young imams to familiarize them with online communication tools, empowering them to correct misconceptions about Islam.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more