The World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates branch in Nigeria held a lecture themed “The Role of Civil Society in Combating the Extremist Ideas”, at al-Nour al-Muhammadi School for Quran Memorization and Islamic Studies in Borno State. The lecture was given by Abu Bakr Mukhtar Ali, member of the branch, who pointed out that the world is going through rough circumstances amid a stressing religious and moral crisis. He stated that the values of fraternity, amity and peace have become exceptions, due to selfishness, hatred and conflict.
He explained that all nations strives for lasting peace and a coexistence free from violence and terrorism; however, it is grievous that all accusations are always against religions, especially Islam. He noted that the accusers overlooked two vital facts: all religions were revealed to establish peace among all human beings, bring justice to the wronged, demonstrate the inviolability of bloodshed and that terrorism does not differentiate between the pious and the atheist, or between a Muslim and non-Muslim.
Further, the lecturer referred to what Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb has said, that peace will not prevail unless faith institutions and their leaders work hand in hand to make peace for all humanity. This is the message al-Azhar has been calling for more than seventy years, where al-Azhar took the initiative and introduced a new subject in its educational curricula to raise the students awareness about the dangers of extremism and terrorism as well as protecting them from falling into the ideas that call for violence. He emphasized the need to exert more efforts to confront all manifestations and practices that stand as obstacles to spreading peace, mercy and justice among people in the East and West.
