Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The ideology of extremism and terrorism is the main enemy of development and stability of any society in the world, said Secretary General of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) Dr. Mansour Al-Shammari.

He added that the success of development plans depends on countries’ ability to protect their assets and citizens from the risks of this ideology.

Dr. Al-Shammari made the remarks during a joint press conference held here on Wednesday with Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) Dr. Jehangir Khan.

He highlighted the remarkable the United Nations and international efforts in combating extremism and terrorism, stressing Etidal’s keenness to exchange expertise in a way that serves joint goals and strategies between the two centers.

Dr. Al-Shammari pointed out that Etidal seeks to expose the methods of extremist organizations in targeting the youth, raising their awareness against the threats of this ideology, and refuting suspicions that such organizations use in attracting and recruiting the youth.

He pointed out that terrorist organizations took advantage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and tried to increase their spread and sought to undermine messages that aimed at protecting the safety of mankind against the pandemic.

Dr. Al-Shammari added: “We at Etidal are fully aware of the dangers of this ideology and its organizations that utilize all possible means to spread it, requiring us to draw specialized plans and strategies to refute and thwart this ideology, in addition to launching several specialized initiatives aimed at increasing community interaction with the center goals, such as: Moderate, Tafneed (refuting), Research Collaboration, University Training, and 2Gather, which is specialized to raise the awareness of people with hearing disability.

For his part, Dr. Khan commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts in combating extremist ideology as well as the Saudi government's financial and moral support, in addition to the establishment of Etidal.

He also noted that Saudi Arabia has offered a support with 71 percent to UNCCT, saying: “We have important partnerships with the State Security, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Etidal, and King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue”.

“We are facing a global challenge as extremism has no religion, race or culture, he added, warning against new methods extremists employ in spreading their ideologies such as video games.