Al Azahar warns against Israeli attempts to deviate youths away from supporting Palestinian cause, Jerusalem

CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Speaking at fourth edition of the “Listen and Talk” Forum, organized by the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, addressed the role of youth in defending the Palestinian cause.

He stressed that this cause must hold a central place in their hearts. He denounced Zionist propaganda as false and manipulative, asserting that the Zionist entity has no legitimate claim to Palestinian land.

Duwaini warned against Israeli attempts to minimize the conflict by turning it into a dispute between the Palestinians and the Israeli gang, and distancing it from its Islamic framework so that the youth are far from supporting Palestine and Jerusalem. This all is pure illusion. So, he urged youth to see through these efforts and to understand the true nature of the Zionist project: racist, expansionist, and colonialist.

He called on young people to counter these narratives through voluntary initiatives that expose Zionist atrocities and maintain the Palestinian cause as a top priority across the Arab and Islamic world. He praised the global popular solidarity with Palestine, expressed through peaceful demonstrations and public awareness campaigns in capitals worldwide.

“The persistent oppression, displacement, and land confiscation committed by the Zionist enemy,” he said, “demand that young people take initiative and volunteer for Palestine.” He described this as a national, religious, historical, and humanitarian duty. He underscored the significance of the “Listen and Talk” Forum, especially in a world plagued by ideological conflicts, deep polarization, and deliberate attempts to destabilize nations. These efforts, he warned, often target the youth—nations’ most vital asset—in attempts to sever them from their faith, history, and identity.

El-Duwaini emphasized that youth are the most valuable treasure any nation possesses—its pillar of strength, living wealth, and enduring hope. He stressed that a nation’s progress and civilization are reflected in its investment in youth and its commitment to equipping them to shoulder the future.

He cautioned against framing or limiting the outcomes of the forum, instead calling for reflection on its stated objectives—goals that should be deeply rooted in public consciousness, especially among young people.

Dr. El-Duwaini conveyed several important messages to the youth, foremost among them being the value of voluntary initiatives. 

He explained that voluntary work goes beyond optional prayers or charitable donations; it encompasses all acts that benefit humanity. Volunteering, he said, is firmly rooted in both the Quran and Sunnah and should be understood as a noble religious act with immense spiritual and social rewards.

He urged young people to discover the goodness within themselves, to act without waiting for crises, and to take initiative in doing good for others. Such efforts, he noted, foster stronger communities, build self-confidence, enhance communication, and develop virtues such as compassion, mercy, and empathy.

Dr. El-Duwaini also reflected on Islam’s enduring role as a guiding force in society. He described Islam as a pure faith that enlightens hearts, a dynamic legal system that uplifts humanity, and a moral framework that nurtures peaceful and compassionate societies.

He affirmed that the Islamic nation has always remained steadfast—preserving its religion, protecting its sanctities, and taking pride in its values and heritage. Its scholars and thinkers, he noted, have consistently balanced authenticity with modernity, ensuring the faith remains relevant and rooted in truth.

Concluding his speech, El-Duwaini emphasized the heavy responsibility borne by religious institutions and their scholars. He called on leaders to stay attuned to the realities and challenges facing people across all aspects of life—political, economic, social, and educational.

He urged religious figures to offer a balanced and informed discourse to counter deviant ideologies, thereby preserving public faith, safeguarding societal cohesion, and ensuring peace and stability.