(3 Dec 2014) Religious leaders have gathered in Cairo for a two-day conference on combating extremism, in the wake of the Islamic State group's offensive.
Among them is Egypt's Grand Mufti, who says leaders want to send out a "strong" message that they are "united" in renouncing violence.

Religious representatives from around the world are here in Cairo.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheik Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Coptic Pope Tawadros II are among those gathered - along with other Muslim representatives and church leaders.
Egypt is home to Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest and most revered centres of religious learning for Sunni Muslims.
It has issued several statements and religious edicts condemning the Islamic State group and its self-styled caliphate - and the need for a global effort to defeat the militants.
"Lately an organisation called ISIS (Islamic State) has emerged and called for an Islamic caliphate, and before and after that, other sectarian militias emerged and possessed a great propaganda power. Sadly it back fired on Islam and all Muslims," says Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
"ISIS is not the only faction on stage, there are other sectarian militias that are slaughtering and carrying out forced displacement in Iraq, Syria and Yemen."
This anti-extremism conference comes as part of government-led efforts to counter the emergence of IS, which has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria.
"This conference is an important one as it will send a strong message to the whole world that Al-Azhar and religious scholars are united in renouncing violence and extremism and are seeking a true understanding of the teaching of Islam," says Shawki Allam, Egypt's Grand Mufti.


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