Network member, Rashad Ali recently co-authored a book challenging radical Islamist claims to theological authenticity. The book presents arguments by classic and respected Muslim scholars that contradicts Islamist views on jihad, the Caliphate and relations with non-Muslims. The book highlights a rich vein within classic Islamic thought to counter extremist views.  

The report has been endorsed by leading Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Khalid Abdul Aziz Omran of Cairo's prestigious al-Azhar University.  

Network member, Ahmad Mansour is a Palestinian Israeli who has dedicated his life to countering Muslim extremism and anti-Semitism, particularly among Muslim youth in Germany. Ahmad works closely with European and German policymakers on ways to counter extremism and prevent anti-Semitism. 

Ahmad is the Director of Heroes, a Berlin-based organization dedicated to helping young Muslim men to reject extremism and customs that oppress women and girls in the name of honor. He is also a Program Director at the European Foundation for Democracy and a Research Associate at the Centre for Democratic Culture. Ahmad is a member of the German Islam Conference, where he serves on the working group to prevent extremism among youth.

Network member, Ahmad Mansour was shocked at the anti-Semitism he discovered in the Muslim community when he moved to Berlin nine years ago from Israel.

Ahmad achieved a major milestone in his efforts to raise awareness about the issue with the airing of a public television documentary, Anti-Semitism Today: How hostile is Germany toward Jews? on October 28, 2013. Ahmad served as an advisor for the film, which aired on the DasErste station (which has an estimated 4 million viewers).

“Is there a conflict between the values of the French Republic and the values of Islam?” This question was put forth to panel of prominent Muslim intellectuals and politicians at a conference in Paris organized by Toufik Bouarfa and Nadir Ouilain. The exclusive event brought together 40 civil society activists, journalists and politician for a frank discussion that is rare in France. 

Network member, Ahmad Mansour was invited to join the German Islam Conference, which was created by the  government in 2006 to serve as a forum for dialogue between officials and Muslims in Germany. Ahmad gave a speech at the Conference's annual plenary session on Berlin on May 7th. 
 
In his speech, Ahmad stressed the importance of addressing anti-Semitism in the Muslim community in Germany, following the recent attack on Rabbi Alter.   

The media plays a critical role in raising awareness about the dangers of radicalization. Network member, Ghaffar Hussein was a key speaker at a briefing at the European Parliament on this subject in January 2013, hosted by the European Foundation for Democracy. He advised legislators, diplomats, and journalists about the differences in reporting on radicalization among various European countries. Ghaffar is also the Research Director at the Quilliam Foundation, a think tank in London dedicated to countering extremism.    

The Network for a New European Generation and the Centre for Spiritual and Cultural Advancement hosted an event at University College in London on the importance of interfaith dialogue and acceptance in Islam. The event opened with a recitation from the Quran of Sura Rum verses 22- 26, which highlight the diversity of humanity and the importance of compassion and mercy in governing our relations with each other:

Network members, Ahmad Mansour and Rashad Ali were guest speakers at a briefing at the European Parliament on "Radicalization in Schools and Universities." The briefing was hosed by Ollie Schmidt, MEP (Sweden) in cooperation with the European Foundation for Democracy.

Network members, Ahmad Mansour, Wael El-Gayar and Ridwan Bauknecht organized a conference entitled, “Young Muslims in Danger? Salafism in Germany” on November 3rd 2012. The conference gathered an audience of more than 100 people involved in counter radicalization in Germany including local officials, members of the police force, teachers, social workers, lawyers and academics.  

We strongly condemn the violence that extremist voices have incited in recent weeks in reaction to a trailer for an obscure anti-Islam film produced in the United States. We recognize that the filmmakers were motivated by a desire to foster anti-Islamic sentiment with a caricatured, negative and misleading portrayal of Islam. However, this does not justify mob protests in response that have resulted in death, injury and destruction.