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*At the 2nd International Conference to Combat Discrimination Against Islam*  

*Islamic Research Academy Secretary: Islam is a Religion of Mercy and Al-Azhar is the First Line of Defense Against Extremism*

Dr. Mohamed El-Gendy, Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, participated in the opening of the 2nd International Conference to Combat Discrimination Against Islam, hosted by the Arab League on August 3-4, 2026 under the theme: _"Muslim Communities in the West and Their Role in Confronting Islamophobia"_.

*Key Messages:*

- Extremism, racism, and hate speech are diseases spread by enemies of humanity, not a product of religion.

- Under Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb, Al-Azhar leads a global project to promote moderate discourse and combat Islamophobia.

- The Palestinian cause remains a barrier to the credibility of global human rights discourse.

- Al-Azhar initiatives like the Egyptian Family House and the Document on Human Fraternity translate tolerance into reality.