Under the “Listen & Talk” Initiative, Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) organized a symposium at Al-Ahram Canadian University (ACU) entitled, “Freedom between Discipline and Unrestrained Excess”. The event aimed to clarify misconceptions about individual freedom and to explain its guiding principles
The symposium discussed freedom from a Western and contemporary theological perspective. AOCE researchers emphasized that true freedom is based on accountability, which secures one's own interests as well as those of others and of society as a whole. They stressed the need for self-discipline, along with, legal, social, moral, and religious restraints in fostering balanced thinking and safeguarding minds against all forms of deviation.
Moreover, lecturers warned against conflating freedom with uncontrolled behaviors, emphasizing that such conflation leads to undermining human values, which in turn results in losing identity and feeling lost. They pointed out that the Islamic perspective provides a moderate model that balances societal goals with individual liberty.
At the end of the session, the symposium witnessed strong interaction between students and lecturers. Students raised questions about the limits of freedom and the best way to avoid confusion in concepts in a manner that serves the interests of both individuals and societies.