06-05-2025
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.
