In a significant move, Egypt participated at the Kabul International Conference on Afghanistan which was held on 20th July, and it provided advice on how best to tackle terrorism, given the growing problem in Afghanistan.
The Egyptian delegation included representatives from Al Azhar, which is to start religious training programmes in Afghanistan, to tackle extremism and terrorism. This has the backing of the Al Azhar's head Dr Ahmed el Tayyib, who has made it an integral part of his work to fight extremism and terrorism, not only in Egypt, but across the Muslim world.
Egypt's participation is important because it extends its role into the wider Muslim World beyond the parameters of the Arab World, where it has been facing a decline in influence, given its failure to unite the Palestinians and re-start the stagnant Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
It appears that Egypt is aiming to extend its influence in the Muslim world, with recent initiatives to boost ties with Pakistan and India. This increases its role as a potent actor in the wider non Arab Muslim world where it is in competition with Turkey and Iran.
For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.
© 2010 Menas Associates
No comments:
Post a Comment