By Dr Reham Salamah
General Director of Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism
The June 30, 2013 Revolution marks a pivotal moment in modern Egyptian history. On that day, millions of Egyptians took to the streets in an unprecedented display of national unity. They rejected the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, which had sought to dominate state institutions and impose a narrow ideological agenda. The revolution was a true expression of the people’s will, aimed at saving the country from chaos, division, and the grip of a group that exploited religion for political purposes.
In the aftermath of this revolution, Egypt’s major national institutions stepped forward to safeguard the values of the state. Al-Azhar, as the central religious authority advocating for moderate Islamic thought, was at the forefront. Recognising the intellectual and ideological challenges of the post-revolution period, Al-Azhar has established the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) in 2015. The Observatory has since played a crucial role in confronting extremist ideologies through research, awareness campaigns, and multilingual monitoring of extremist narratives.
Since its inception, the Observatory has been vital in exposing the falsehoods propagated by extremist groups that misuse religious texts to justify violence and hatred. With specialised teams fluent in 13 languages, the Observatory monitors extremist content across digital platforms, analyses the rhetoric, debunks contradictions, and demonstrates its deviation from the true teachings of Islam. Its thirteen departments cover various contexts, analysing extremist content and then providing authentic clarifications suitable for the target audience and different age groups.
The Observatory’s role became even more significant after the June 30 Revolution, as Egypt recognised that the fight against terrorism is not merely a military or security battle, but fundamentally an ideological one. Extremist thought must be countered with sound knowledge and a clear understanding of religious principles. To this end, the Observatory has focused on correcting misconceptions frequently used by extremist groups, such as “al-Hakimiyyah” (sovereignty of God), “al-Wala wa al-Bara” (loyalty and disavowal), “Jihad,” and the misuse of the concept of “Dar al-Kufr” (abode of disbelief).
Through a wide array of articles, reports, videos, and awareness campaigns in multiple languages, the Observatory has actively promoted messages of peace, coexistence, and national belonging. Given that youth are among the most vulnerable to radicalisation, the Observatory has launched initiatives on social media, interactive workshops, training programmes, and educational competitions to engage this crucial segment of society.
Committed to research and documentation, the Observatory has published numerous books and studies that explore extremism from various perspectives —religious, social, psychological, and media-related. It also collaborates with local and international institutions to share expertise and coordinate efforts in combating violent extremism.
The post-June 30 experience clearly shows that defeating extremism requires a comprehensive approach, combining religious, educational, cultural, and media-based strategies. The Al-Azhar Observatory has proven itself as a successful model in this intellectual battle, keeping pace with the evolving rhetoric of extremist groups while offering credible and moderate alternatives grounded in authentic Islamic teachings.
On the anniversary of the June 30 Revolution, we are reminded once again that awareness is the true weapon in the battle for national progress. The Al-Azhar Observatory remains a steadfast defender of Egypt’s stability, standing as a beacon of enlightenment and moderation in the face of extremism. With its balanced vision and unwavering commitment, the Observatory continues to play a vital role in shaping a future rooted in tolerance, knowledge, and resilience.
