Insight Image

Panel Discussion Between TRENDS and Egypt’s Minister of Endowments Highlights the Importance of Combating Extremist Ideologies and Promoting Tolerance and Moderation

29 Jan 2025

Panel Discussion Between TRENDS and Egypt’s Minister of Endowments Highlights the Importance of Combating Extremist Ideologies and Promoting Tolerance and Moderation

29 Jan 2025

TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its virtual office in Egypt, organized a panel discussion with H.E. Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt’s Minister of Endowments. The discussion emphasized the need to combat extremist ideologies and promote the values of tolerance and moderation. The event was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Endowments in the New Administrative Capital. The TRENDS delegation was led by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, who was accompanied by Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Center. The panel discussion, part of the research activities organized by TRENDS during its fourth participation in the Cairo International Book Fair, was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Endowments, including Dr. Abdullah Hassan, Assistant Minister for Monitoring Affairs; Dr. Abdulrahim Ammar, Assistant Minister for Governance and Administrative Reform; Dr. Tarek Abdulhamid, Head of the Minister’s Office Sector; Dr. Osama Raslan, Ministry Spokesperson; and Mahmoud Al-Jallad, Journalist and Media Affairs Advisor to the Minister, along with sector heads, experts, researchers, and directors from TRENDS Research & Advisory. Addressing Intellectual Challenges H.E. Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt’s Minister of Endowments, welcomed the TRENDS delegation, praising the leading role played by the center in supporting research and advisory work. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with specialized research institutions to address intellectual challenges amidst the evolving intellectual and media landscapes.   Combating Extremist Ideologies The Minister noted that combating extremist ideologies requires combined efforts from religious and academic institutions to present a balanced discourse that bridges tradition and modernity. He commended TRENDS for its strategic, research-driven approach, which aims to combat extremist ideologies, correct misconceptions, and promote a culture of tolerance and coexistence.   Promoting Moderate Thought Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments in promoting moderate thought and countering extremism. He affirmed TRENDS’ readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in this field, working to develop religious discourse in line with universal human values. Dr. Al-Ali highlighted that TRENDS conducts in-depth research and studies aimed at safeguarding societies against extremist ideologies and groups. He emphasized the center’s particular focus on countering the Muslim Brotherhood, extremist currents, and terrorist organizations by promoting moderate thought and producing specialized studies that expose the ideologies of these destructive movements. Innovative Strategies Dr. Al-Ali emphasized TRENDS’ commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments to develop innovative and comprehensive strategies based on specialized scientific research and practical applications. These strategies aim to counter extremist ideologies and correct misconceptions. He highlighted that TRENDS adopts a long-term strategy and innovative mechanisms to engage minds, foster understanding, and confront extremist ideologies with intellectual analysis. Promoting Tolerance and Coexistence Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Center, underscored the vital role of media institutions in supporting efforts to combat extremist ideologies and promote a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and moderation. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration and effective partnerships between media, research, and religious institutions. Dr. Al-Kaabi noted that media institutions have significant capabilities to raise public awareness and highlight issues related to extremism, as well as to confront extremist and terrorist organizations. Media outlets serve as powerful tools in combating destructive ideologies through education, disseminating moderate discourse, countering misinformation, and fostering dialogue and understanding across cultures. Collective Action Participants in the panel discussion agreed on the need for collaboration among all relevant institutions to combat extremist ideologies, recognizing that this global phenomenon requires a collective response. They also emphasized the danger posed by the Muslim Brotherhood, noting that it was the origin of other extremist and terrorist groups. Participants stressed the importance of refuting and debunking the narratives of the Brotherhood, which distort genuine religious values to achieve political goals, destabilize societies, and undermine social harmony.