An Egyptian delegation participated Tuesday in the UN counter-terrorism meeting in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and discussed efforts to tackle militancy. Egypt also participated in special sessions discussing the phenomenon of foreign fighters in civil conflicts, especially those joining "Islamic State" (IS). Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hisham Badr said that, during the meetings, the Egyptian delegation presented the Egyptian government's role in countering terrorism, through countering militant ideology and correcting flawed religious ideas. The delegation also expressed the Egyptian state's policy in fighting terrorism, and reflected on the rising numbers of foreign fighters in the Middle East, as well as their sources of finance and ability to administer natural resources. In the violent civilian conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Libya, foreign fighters from across the globe were reported to have participated in military operations on different sides of the conflicts. The Egyptian delegation also stressed the need for a global effort to counter terrorism, warning that "terrorism will strike all if it is not harshly fought", according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. It added that such efforts include shutting down online websites inciting terrorism and violence, as well as closing TV channels that support militant groups. Egypt has been diplomatically advocating against militant groups all over the Middle East. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have stated in several speeches and statements that the country is fighting terrorism on behalf of the world. They have also asked for help from the international community in assisting Egypt in its counter-insurgency against militants. Egypt's Ministry of Religious Endowments condemned the actions of "Islamic State", accusing the militant group of being "disinterested in humanity". The ministry also accused the group of tampering with dead bodies, and "torture, which is forbidden in Islam"". Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta and the major religious institution, Al-Azhar, have both condemned the actions of "Islamic State" and the Shi'a militias in Iraq. An international social media campaign was launched by Dar Al-Ifta to "clarify the image of Islam across the globe due to the terrorist group's violent acts". The campaign is also aimed at ensuring that "all Muslims reject these practices that are contrary to the principles of tolerant Islam, which calls for coexistence".
