Dr. Reham Salama, General Director of Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), received the French Ambassador for Human Rights, Ms. Isabelle Rom, during her current official visit to Egypt.
During the meeting, Dr. Reham reviewed AOCE's extensive efforts to combat extremism and dismantle the ideological frameworks and misconceptions upon which extremist organizations rely. She highlighted AOCE's crucial role in safeguarding young people from extremist narratives.
Furthermore, Dr. Reham Salama emphasized that the contemporary fight against extremism extends beyond security measures, requiring a comprehensive strategy to dismantle radical groups’ digital strategies, which seek to fabricate grievances and recruit vulnerable youth. She pointed out that AOCE’s dedicated researchers develop evidence-based counter-narratives designed to strip extremist ideologies of any false religious or moral legitimacy, while emphasizing the importance of citizenship and pluralism as essential pillars in confronting hate speech and intolerance.
For her part, the French official had previously affirmed her keen interest in learning more about AOCE’ experience, expressing her hope that its successful model could contribute to strengthening international cooperation in combating extremism and promoting the true Islamic values and teachings around the world.
In the end, Ms. Isabelle Rom expressed her deep appreciation for Al-Azhar’s pivotal role in confronting extremism, commending the institution's comprehensive approach, which integrates religious and intellectual dimensions with modern scientific tools to address contemporary challenges and dismantle extremist rhetoric.