As part of the collaboration between the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) and the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies (IDEO) in Egypt, three researchers from AOCE participated in several seminars at the European Academy of Religions conference (EUARE 2025), held from the 7th to 13th of July 2025 at the University of Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Reham Salama, AOCE’s executive director, delivered a lecture entitled “The Role of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism in Spreading Awareness and Critical Thinking,” highlighting AOCE's hierarchy, work mechanism, and productions. Dr. Salama also reviewed AOCE's efforts in combating terrorism and extremist ideology, promoting social peace, and protecting youth from falling prey to extremism.
Dr. Abdallah Abdeen, Supervisor of the English Language Unit at AOCE, delivered a lecture entitled “The Document on Human Fraternity: A Global Call for Peace and Coexistence,” discussing the concept of dialogue in Islam and Al-Azhar's adoption of dialogue as a necessary mechanism for civilized communication among people in general, and religious figures in particular. Dr. Abdeen also highlighted the document's role in promoting societal peace in various countries around the globe and spreading a culture of peace and tolerance among humankind.
Dr. Ahmed Hamza, a researcher of the English Language Unit at AOCE, delivered a lecture entitled “Cultural and Religious Challenges in Europe: A Special Look at Muslim Societies,” highlighting the most prominent challenges facing European Muslims and addressing the issue of Muslim integration into their European societies, noting the Al-Azhar’s vital role in promoting such integration. Dr. Hamza also illustrated the importance of adopting the moderate approach espoused by Al-Azhar, explaining that this discourse represents a guarantee for encouraging Muslims to positively integrate into their Western societies while simultaneously preserving their religious and cultural identities.
Furthermore, AOCE's researchers participated in the various seminars held during the conference, achieving effective and positive contributions to conveying the message of Al-Azhar and the Observatory: contributions included correcting some misconceptions, presenting the model of pluralism that Egypt enjoys, highlighting the suffering of some Muslim communities in the West, and offering solutions to resolve the crises created by extremist groups.