Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI), congratulated Dr. Reham Salama, the Director of Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism, on the occasion of her being honored today by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, in recognition of her efforts in combating extremism. She is considered one of the prominent female leaders working in the field of combating extremism. This took place during the celebration of Egyptian Women and Ideal Mother's Day for the year 2024, held today at the Al-Manara International Conferences Center in New Cairo.

 

On this occasion, Dr. Reham Salama extends sincere thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Republic, for this esteemed honor, which confirms the Egyptian State's support for women in all fields. Also, she extends her thanks to Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam, for his support and empowerment of women at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and enhancing their role through his constant and continuous encouragement. She affirms her full commitment to continue working diligently to serve the nation and contribute to its development.

 

Dr. Reham Salama, the Executive Director of Al-Azhar Observatory, has been working since the issuance of the decision by Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam, to appoint her to this task, to promote peace by confronting and refuting extremist ideology. She has been striving diligently to produce a variety of publications that dismantle this ideology and expose the truth about those behind terrorist organizations worldwide through the Observatory's 13 languages. In addition, the Observatory organizes workshops for school and university students and enhances cooperation with official entities inside and outside Egypt.

 

Dr. Reham Salama obtained her master's and doctoral degrees in Urdu language and literature. She also worked at Al-Azhar Center for Translation, contributing to its publications through translating and revising the translation of more than five books and a large number of articles translated from Urdu into Arabic and vice versa. 

 

 

Dr. Reham Salama is also a member of the Egyptian Family House. She has participated in numerous conferences and sessions related to combating extremism at both regional and international levels. Additionally, she has represented Al-Azhar at the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (Vienna), the United Nations Development Programme, and in presidential delegations sent to China and India.

 

She previously participated as a member in peace missions that visited Pakistan in 2015; she has experience in combating violent extremism, especially in Urdu and English-speaking contexts. Dr. Reham Salama also serves as the authorized liaison person in Cairo for the Arigatou International Institute. She is an ambassador for the Religions for Peace organization affiliated with the United Nations, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute for Religious Studies in Jordan. She has participated in more than forty international conferences and workshops, representing Al-Azhar Sharif at the United Nations Security Council and the European Union.