Lecture on “Features of al-Azhar Approach” for Pakistani Imams & Preachers, within the Events of “Deconstructing the Extremist Ideology” Training Course

As part of al-Azhar as-Sharif’s scholarly and capacity-building efforts to counter currents of extremism, al-Azhar International Academy continues to carry out the activities of the training course “Deconstructing the Extremist Ideology” held in cooperation with the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates from Sunday, April 26^th to Thursday, May 7^th, 2026, with the participation of 19 imams and preachers from Pakistan.

During the course’s events, a lecture themed “Features of al-Azhar Approach” was delivered by His Eminence Prof. Ibrahim al-Hudhud, the Academic Advisor of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates and former President of al-Azhar University. The lecture reviewed the foundational pillars of al-Azhar approach that is based on moderation and unites authenticity and contemporaneity, thereby enhancing its ability to deal with diverse intellectual issues.

In the course of his address, Prof. al-Hudhud affirmed that al-Azhar approach rests on a comprehensive understanding of religious texts, gathering sound transmission with sound reasoning, and takes into account both the objectives of Shari’ah and the variables of reality, thereby contributing to the establishment of a balanced religious discourse capable of confronting extremism and intellectual deviation.

He further noted that preparing preachers in accordance with this approach requires the development of critical thinking skills, the strengthening of capacity for constructive dialogue, and deliberate interaction with contemporary challenges, to enable them to correct misconceptions and to promote the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

This lecture came as part of a comprehensive training program that integrates scholarly grounding with the development of practical skills, aiming to prepare cadres qualified to engage with contemporary intellectual challenges with awareness and methodological rigor, in order to promote the dissemination of authentic religious understanding and contributing to the consolidation of the values of moderation and societal stability.