In line with its mission to promote dialogue, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and emphasize the importance of a wise and impactful digital presence for religious institutions, Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta is organizing a specialized workshop aimed at advancing religious discourse and countering the influence of deviant ideologies. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to keeping pace with the latest developments in digital transformation and smart technologies.
Organized by the Salam Center for Extremism Studies and Islamophobia, the workshop—titled “Enhancing Critical Thinking and Digital Awareness: Skills for Young Muftis”—will be held on the sidelines of the 10th International Fatwa Conference. This year’s conference is convened under the theme: “Shaping the Competent Mufti in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” on August 12 and 13.
Scheduled for August 12, the workshop seeks to equip young muftis with the tools and skills needed to address increasingly complex intellectual and digital challenges. It aims to enhance their ability to critically assess religious content disseminated through modern technologies, build their resilience against extremist narratives and misinformation, and explore how to use digital platforms to communicate effectively with contemporary audiences.
The workshop will address four core themes. The first will address critical thinking tools in fatwa issuance and how to handle uncertain or unverified content. The second will focus on digital literacy, strategies for engaging across various platforms, and managing the digital reputation of both muftis and religious institutions. It will also touch on the art of connecting with digital audiences in a meaningful and relevant way.
Further sessions will explore how extremist groups create and spread their digital content, and how muftis can detect and counter these tactics. The final segment will examine the evolving landscape of fatwa work in the digital age, highlighting the role of smart platforms and artificial intelligence in shaping religious messaging. Successful models of enlightened digital fatwa discourse will also be presented.
Through this initiative, Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta andSalam Center underscore the critical role that informed, digitally competent religious leaders can play in guiding public understanding, safeguarding against misinformation, and fostering constructive religious dialogue in the digital sphere.
