The inaugural activities of the 'Central Social Service Office Friends' camp for Al-Azhar secondary school students have commenced in Port Said. This initiative is part of 'Bassira,' a joint collaboration between the AOCE and Al-Azhar Institutes Sector’s Central Administration for Student Welfare. It aimed at safeguarding youth and fostering values of citizenship and intellectual awareness.
The camp was held under the generous patronage of Professor Ahmed El-Sharkawy, Head of the Al-Azhar Institutes Sector; supervised by Prof. Reham Salama, Executive Director of AOCE and Dr. Nawal Hosny, Head of the Central Administration for Student Welfare; and with broader participation from Al-Azhar secondary school students.
The events at the Abed Girls' Youth Hostel began with an interactive session led by Ms. Mariam Abdel-Jawad, a researcher in the English Unit. She outlined AOCE objectives and operational mechanisms for monitoring and analyzing extremist ideologies across multiple languages, emphasizing Al-Azhar's pioneering role in spreading enlightened thought and countering extremism through dialogue.
Ms. Esraa El-Zaher, a researcher in the Turkish Unit, addressed the negative impacts of social media, highlighting major risks such as wasted time and academic distraction. She noted how notifications and short video clips impair concentration and academic performance, alongside the psychological stress caused by comparing oneself to unrealistic images promoted online, which can lead to diminished self-confidence, heightened anxiety, social isolation, and sleep disorders. Concluding her remarks, Ms. Esraa stressed that the objective is not to sever ties with technology, but rather to develop the mindful awareness needed to manage it effectively so it does not hinder future success.
At the Abu Alaa Boys' Youth Hostel, Mr. Ahmed Hassan, a researcher in the French Unit, discussed the dynamics of interacting with digital platforms. While acknowledging their benefits for knowledge exchange and information sharing, he warned of inherent risks such as intellectual contagion and the spread of rumors, misinformation, and hate speech, underscoring the necessity of conscious and responsible digital engagement.
Additionally, Mr. Ahmed Abdel-Aal, a researcher in the Arabic Unit, delivered a lecture entitled 'Role Models: Influence and Impact—Toward More Conscious and Moderate Youth.' He explored the concept of role models and their psychological role in shaping youth behavior. Mr. Abdel-Aal emphasized that the Islamic educational framework integrates knowledge with practical action, where moral behavior is absorbed through observation and lived experience before verbal instruction.
Citing examples from the biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his Companions, and prominent scholars, Mr. Abdel-Aal explained that emulating righteous role models acts as a vital safeguard for building a balanced personality and protecting young minds from extremist ideology and deviant behavior, while cautioning against superficial role models devoid of moral values.