The branch of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates in Mali held a lecture titled “The Role of Civil Society in Combating Extremist Ideas” in Bamako. Mohamed Wagy, a member of the branch, delivered the lecture, emphasizing that extremism is one of the most pressing issues currently occupying public attention. He stressed that civil society institutions must play a vital role in promoting the values of belonging and social cohesion to counter extremist ideologies, particularly among young people, who are often targeted by terrorist groups seeking to spread chaos and promote deviant ideas within society.
Additionally, he highlighted several key measures to protect society from extremist ideologies. These include the need to enforce strict laws and regulations that shield communities from the influence of extremists, the organization of religious lessons and seminars in mosques to prevent the spread of radical ideas within religious settings, and the provision of training courses for imams to help correct misconceptions in the interpretation of religious texts.
