10th of Ramadan City:Grand Mufti Nazir Mohamed Ayyad has emphasized the importance of an integrated strategy that combines religious, educational, cultural, and media efforts to effectively counter intellectual extremism in the digital era. He highlighted the necessity of fostering critical awareness instead of merely condemning extremist ideologies.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Ayyad, who serves as the head of the General Secretariat of Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, delivered these remarks at the inaugural scientific conference of Al-Azhar Girls' College in 10th of Ramadan City. The event was held under the auspices of Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb and attended by Sharqia Governor Hazem el-Ashmouny, focusing on the theme 'Integration of Sciences in Promoting Islamic Moderation and Countering Intellectual Extremism in the Digital Age.'

Ayyad stressed the necessity of coordinated efforts across different fields to uphold the moderate principles of Islam, shield younger generations from polarization, and develop a sound intellectual discourse that merges Islamic scholarship with an understanding of contemporary realities and modern developments.

He pointed out that the rapid advancements in communication technologies have fundamentally changed how people are influenced and how their awareness is shaped, with ideas spreading across societies almost instantaneously. Addressing extremism, therefore, involves more than just responding to extremist rhetoric or correcting misinformation; it includes protecting public awareness, scrutinizing sources of knowledge, and fostering the ability to differentiate between reliable information and falsehoods.

Ayyad noted that extremism cannot be addressed merely through condemnation or warnings. Instead, efforts must focus on cultivating minds capable of rejecting extremism, explaining the flaws in extremist narratives, and providing evidence-based responses that address people's questions and circumstances while preserving religious principles and objectives.

He described moderation as a core Islamic principle, rooted in justice and balance, and emphasized that it is not a temporary response to crises or a compromise between truth and falsehood. Moderation involves adhering to fundamental principles while maintaining an informed understanding of reality and adapting to its changing circumstances.

Ayyad highlighted that the conference's focus on integrating sciences reflects the understanding that extremism is a multifaceted issue requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Islamic sciences, linguistics, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and media studies all contribute to understanding and addressing the complexities of extremism and digital influence.

He concluded by stressing that achieving this integration requires a coordinated system where disciplines exchange knowledge and expertise. Religious research must remain connected to real-world understanding, technological progress should align with ethical values, and educational institutions need to collaborate with religious, cultural, and media organizations to protect public awareness and develop well-rounded individuals.