«Al-Azhar convoys»… An effective attempt to fight terrorism in Sinai

At the same time that our heroes of the Egyptian army are fighting to clear Sinai of terrorists, through comprehensive operations, since February 1, 2018, on the other hand, Al-Azhar is leading a battle to correct the misconceptions that terrorist groups are trying to broadcast in the Sinai, sending convoys to counter extremist suspicions Of the terrorist ideas, and spread the tolerance of Islam and its teachings and the legitimacy of the glue, which refuses to prejudice the sanctity of blood infallible, and prevent the intimidation of the safe and spread panic and fear among the members of society.

As part of Al-Azhar’s efforts to correct misconceptions, a convoy called “Al-Wasatiyya Al-Hayat” was launched in September in the north of Sinai.

This convoy is the seventh convoy this year; convoys were sent to: Beersheba in northern Sinai, Nuba in Aswan, oases of the sea, Halayeb, Shalatin, Sohag and a joint convoy of Qena and Luxor; to provide parents with medical and humanitarian support.

Al-Azhar’s role is to spread Islam’s tolerance and confront all forms of extremism and terrorism. The convoy is also interested in enlightenment and propaganda.

The convoy also includes 10 al-Azhar scholars, a group of members of the Islamic Research Academy and a group of educated Sinhalese youth to correct false ideas attributed to the Islamic religion, Such as militant groups and terrorist organizations.

The members of the convoy work to explain these concepts and to work to eradicate religious illiteracy among some people.

The convoy includes a training program for 75 young men and women from North Sinai, entitled “Moderation Way of Life”, which discusses a number of intellectual and contemporary issues and educates young people about the dangers of terrorist ideas within the framework of the cooperation protocol between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Al-Azhar’s goal of caravans:

Muhammad Al-Shahat Al-Jundi, Professor of Islamic Law and member of the Islamic Research Academy said that the aim of these convoys in the Sinai, especially after the terrorist groups targeted the al-Rawda mosque in Sinai, is to refute suspicions of extremist groups and to dispose of them, and the false ideas, and spreading the “moderation Islam”

He added that Al-Azhar aims to eradicate religious fanaticism and to counter extremist ideas, to remove the effects of political and sectarian fanaticism among all sects of the Egyptian people, and to renew Islamic culture to cope with the times and counter terrorism.

He pointed out that Al-Azhar is keen to join forces with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.

The success of the caravans in achieving its goal:

Mukhtar Juma, the Minister of Awqaf, said during a meeting with the imams, in September, that the religious institutions in Egypt are working first on combating rumors and correcting them for citizens, working on holding awareness seminars for citizens, Peace, and the importance of standing united to support the state, especially as the state is fighting a war against terrorism.

He said that the convoys of Al-Azhar has achieved a remarkable success on the social scene, and it shows that the turn of the people to preach convoys to inquire about legitimate issues, according to the people of Sinai.

The callers of caravans throw “Friday lessons” in Sinai:

In the same vein, Dr. Said Metwally, an imam and preacher at the Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf, said that the preachers of Al-Azhar emphasized Friday the importance of educating young people on the principles of the true religion, as well as the support of the imams, intellectuals and youth of Sinai in the war. Against the terrorist gangs, and what is being done to disinfect Sinai from terrorism.

Metwalli said in a statement to the «reference» website, that the imams of the convoy discuss in the lessons on Friday the correct principles of Islam in the light of the migration of the Prophet – peace be upon him – and the biography of the Prophet and the establishment of Medina, and the relationship of religion and politics, and clarify the succession called by the organizations

He pointed out that during the speeches and seminars the imams refer to the true religion of Islam and its call for tolerance and the centrality of Islam.