Egypt training opinion leaders as soldiers to fight 'fake' data
The Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments is holding courses to teach imams, preachers and other influential leaders how to recognize and confront foreign misinformation — but some argue the plan is actually aimed at imposing the regime's view on citizens.
CAIRO — Egypt is now targeting clergymen and imams as part of its continued efforts to combat information warfare. On Feb. 4, the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments started training sessions for imams and preachers on combating foreign conspiracies and confronting information warfare. Egyptian judges and other judicial officials were ordered to enroll in training sessions on strategic and national security in early November.
In turn, the media is mobilizing citizens by reporting alleged conspiracy theories and information warfare.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has made numerous speeches on security and warned more than once of Western countries conspiring against Egypt. He also talks of some internal enemies that he describes as “forces of evil.” Many political observers believe Sisi uses this expression to refer to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Sheikh Hani al-Masri, one of the imams affiliated with the Ministry of Religious Endowments, attended the training session held by Al-Nour Mosque's ministry in western Cairo. He said this type of training raises awareness about the dangers of misusing information. “Future wars are information wars,” Masri told Al-Monitor.
