As part of its constant efforts to intellectually combat extremism and terrorism, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina organized an international conference titled “The World Is Rising Up: United Against Extremism”. The conference was held from 17 to 19 January 2017, and included over 300 participating researchers, thinkers, and specialists in the issues related to terrorism. It aimed to strengthen the relations between Arab research centers specializing in extremism and forming mutual visions.
At the opening of the conference, Serageldin signed memorandums of agreement for cooperation in counter extremism and terrorism programs with Major General Khalid Al Fadhala, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies; Andrius Becys, Head of the Transnational European Mediterranean Association for Cooperation; and Diaa Rashwan, Director of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.
The conference was held as part of an integrated program implemented by the BA. It includes several phases and levels, the first of which promotes the study of the phenomenon of extremism on the social and religious levels. To this end, the BA has created its Marased series, which specializes in studying the different phenomena of extremism and criticizing extremist discourse. So far, the BA has published 28 issues of the series with the participation of researchers from Egypt and abroad.
Governmental organizations, political powers and parties, as well as various research center participated in the conference. Additionally, a special session was devoted to the media for their role in the intellectual confrontation of extremism.
