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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.

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Al-Azhar clerics answer questions at a recently installed "fatwa kiosk" offering commuters religious guidance as part of an initiative by Al-Azhar aimed at countering extremism, Al Shohadaa metro station, Cairo, Egypt, July 24, 2017. — REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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.

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