Latest news with #Al-AzharObservatoryforCombatingExtremism
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Aqsa Mosque unalienable right of Muslim Ummah, not subject to historical revision or force: Al-Azhar Observatory - Foreign Affairs
Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem is a divinely blessed Islamic site whose status is not subject to historical distortion or military force, the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism affirmed on Tuesday. The statement was made in response to recent claims by Israeli Rabbi Menachem Brod, as published in an article on the Hebrew-language site Haredim 1, where he sought to promote the concept of constructing the so-called 'Third Temple' in the Jewish collective consciousness. According to the observatory, Brod's article argues that the denial of Jewish ties to the Temple Mount — where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located — by what he calls the "enemies of the Jews" is a 'heavenly sign' urging Jews to renew their spiritual connection to the site. Brod further alleged that early Islam acknowledged the existence of Solomon's Temple beneath the Dome of the Rock, but claimed that contemporary Muslims have rewritten history to erase this acknowledgement. He called on Jews to deepen their spiritual and intellectual relationship with the Temple Mount — even without physically visiting it — by studying its history and teaching future generations about its significance. The article also invoked the phrase 'The Temple Mount is in our hands,' first declared during the 1967 war, describing it as a symbol of Jewish spiritual restoration. Brod claimed that a Third Temple will eventually be built by the awaited Messiah (HaMashiach) and will serve as a 'house of prayer for all nations' and a 'bridge to world peace' — suggesting, according to his religious interpretation, that Muslims will willingly relinquish the mosque upon the Messiah's arrival. In response, Al-Azhar Observatory condemned these views as part of an extremist religious discourse aimed at legitimizing occupation and asserting supremacy in the name of faith. The observatory emphasized that while Islam honours the legacy of all prophets, it firmly asserts that Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is a blessed city for all faiths — yet Al-Aqsa Mosque is a sacred Islamic endowment (waqf) and an unalienable right of the Muslim Ummah. Located in occupied East Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, after the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. The mosque compound includes the iconic Dome of the Rock, whose golden dome has become a defining symbol of both Palestinian identity and the city of Jerusalem. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this very site during the Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj). While Jews are permitted to enter the compound, they are forbidden from praying there due to concerns that such acts may inflame tensions with Muslim worshippers. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Azhar urges EU to suspend trade, arms exports to Israel - Foreign Affairs
Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) has urged the European Union (EU) to suspend its trade agreement with Israel and impose a full arms embargo, calling it a 'moral and humanitarian obligation' amid mounting civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. The statement came after Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares on Monday called for an immediate review of EU-Israel relations, including suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and blocking arms exports. 'Europe must show courage,' he told reporters following a high-level meeting in Brussels. Support for the Spanish position vis-a-vis Israel is growing within the EU. According to Al-Azhar, Ireland, Belgium, and Slovenia have endorsed a stronger stance. However, any suspension would require unanimous approval—a hurdle unlikely to be cleared given opposition from Austria, Germany, and Hungary. Al-Azhar, a leading religious institution based in Cairo, said continued cooperation with Israel 'undermines the principles of human rights' and weakens trust in international law. It added that inaction in the face of repeated civilian deaths erodes global confidence in United Nations (UN) institutions and legal norms. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has pledged to present policy options at a meeting on 15 July. Still, diplomats say a final decision will likely be deferred to the upcoming European Council summit. Death toll mounts in Gaza At least 71 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday, including 54 people near the US-Israel-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution points, according to Palestinian health officials. A day earlier, 29 others were reported killed, 13 of them while waiting for humanitarian aid. Gaza's health ministry said Israel's war on the Strip has killed nearly 56,000 people since October 2023, most of them women and children. More than 131,000 others have been injured, with many still trapped under rubble. The ongoing Israeli blockade continues to restrict the delivery of basic supplies Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Azhar urges EU to suspend trade, arms embargo oni Israel as 'moral duty' - Foreign Affairs
Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) has urged the European Union (EU) to suspend its trade agreement with Israel and impose a full arms embargo, calling it a 'moral and humanitarian obligation' amid mounting civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. The statement came after Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares on Monday called for an immediate review of EU-Israel relations, including suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and blocking arms exports. 'Europe must show courage,' he told reporters following a high-level meeting in Brussels. Support for the Spanish position vis-a-vis Israel is growing within the EU. According to Al-Azhar, Ireland, Belgium, and Slovenia have endorsed a stronger stance. However, any suspension would require unanimous approval—a hurdle unlikely to be cleared given opposition from Austria, Germany, and Hungary. Al-Azhar, a leading religious institution based in Cairo, said continued cooperation with Israel 'undermines the principles of human rights' and weakens trust in international law. It added that inaction in the face of repeated civilian deaths erodes global confidence in United Nations (UN) institutions and legal norms. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has pledged to present policy options at a meeting on 15 July. Still, diplomats say a final decision will likely be deferred to the upcoming European Council summit. Death toll mounts in Gaza At least 71 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday, including 54 people near the US-Israel-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution points, according to Palestinian health officials. A day earlier, 29 others were reported killed, 13 of them while waiting for humanitarian aid. Gaza's health ministry said Israel's war on the Strip has killed nearly 56,000 people since October 2023, most of them women and children. More than 131,000 others have been injured, with many still trapped under rubble. The ongoing Israeli blockade continues to restrict the delivery of basic supplies Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Executive Director of Al-Azhar Observatory says 'Listen and Talk' forum seeks to empower youth to confront intellectual challenges
CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Executive Director of Al-Azhar Observatory, Reham Salama, said that the 4th edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum, organized by Al-Azhar Observatory, seeks to empower youth with critical and practical tools to confront intellectual challenges. During her opening remarks at the forum, Salama explained that the forum's themes highlights pressing youth issues, especially amidst the current digitalized world, where opinions are increasingly polarized. She warned against the exploitation of terrorist organizations such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda to re-recruit members, emphasizing the need for concerted global efforts to confront these online threats. The Executive Director of Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism also cited a 2023 UN report revealing that 40% of those who joined extremist groups in sub-Saharan Africa were primarily motivated by poverty, compared to only 17% for religious reasons. Al-Azhar Observatory launched, Tuesday, the 4th edition of the 'Listen and Talk' forum, attended by a number of ministers and officials. This year's edition focused on civil and volunteer work and its role in combating extremism, along with the youth's role in spreading awareness about the Palestinian cause in the age of digital media and combating the phenomenon of misinformation through enhancing community awareness. Director of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism, Reham Abdullah confirmed that the observatory was established in 2015 under the supervision of Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb, with the aim of protecting youth from extremism and terrorism.
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Al Azahar warns against Israeli attempts to deviate youths away from supporting Palestinian cause, Jerusalem
Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif participates in the fourth edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum on May 6, 2025- press photo CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Speaking at fourth edition of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum, organized by the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, addressed the role of youth in defending the Palestinian cause. He stressed that this cause must hold a central place in their hearts. He denounced Zionist propaganda as false and manipulative, asserting that the Zionist entity has no legitimate claim to Palestinian land. Duwaini warned against Israeli attempts to minimize the conflict by turning it into a dispute between the Palestinians and the Israeli gang, and distancing it from its Islamic framework so that the youth are far from supporting Palestine and Jerusalem. This all is pure illusion. So, he urged youth to see through these efforts and to understand the true nature of the Zionist project: racist, expansionist, and colonialist. He called on young people to counter these narratives through voluntary initiatives that expose Zionist atrocities and maintain the Palestinian cause as a top priority across the Arab and Islamic world. He praised the global popular solidarity with Palestine, expressed through peaceful demonstrations and public awareness campaigns in capitals worldwide. 'The persistent oppression, displacement, and land confiscation committed by the Zionist enemy,' he said, 'demand that young people take initiative and volunteer for Palestine.' He described this as a national, religious, historical, and humanitarian duty. He underscored the significance of the 'Listen and Talk' Forum, especially in a world plagued by ideological conflicts, deep polarization, and deliberate attempts to destabilize nations. These efforts, he warned, often target the youth—nations' most vital asset—in attempts to sever them from their faith, history, and identity. El-Duwaini emphasized that youth are the most valuable treasure any nation possesses—its pillar of strength, living wealth, and enduring hope. He stressed that a nation's progress and civilization are reflected in its investment in youth and its commitment to equipping them to shoulder the future. He cautioned against framing or limiting the outcomes of the forum, instead calling for reflection on its stated objectives—goals that should be deeply rooted in public consciousness, especially among young people. Dr. El-Duwaini conveyed several important messages to the youth, foremost among them being the value of voluntary initiatives. He explained that voluntary work goes beyond optional prayers or charitable donations; it encompasses all acts that benefit humanity. Volunteering, he said, is firmly rooted in both the Quran and Sunnah and should be understood as a noble religious act with immense spiritual and social rewards. He urged young people to discover the goodness within themselves, to act without waiting for crises, and to take initiative in doing good for others. Such efforts, he noted, foster stronger communities, build self-confidence, enhance communication, and develop virtues such as compassion, mercy, and empathy. Dr. El-Duwaini also reflected on Islam's enduring role as a guiding force in society. He described Islam as a pure faith that enlightens hearts, a dynamic legal system that uplifts humanity, and a moral framework that nurtures peaceful and compassionate societies. He affirmed that the Islamic nation has always remained steadfast—preserving its religion, protecting its sanctities, and taking pride in its values and heritage. Its scholars and thinkers, he noted, have consistently balanced authenticity with modernity, ensuring the faith remains relevant and rooted in truth. Concluding his speech, El-Duwaini emphasized the heavy responsibility borne by religious institutions and their scholars. He called on leaders to stay attuned to the realities and challenges facing people across all aspects of life—political, economic, social, and educational. He urged religious figures to offer a balanced and informed discourse to counter deviant ideologies, thereby preserving public faith, safeguarding societal cohesion, and ensuring peace and stability.
