UAE successful in fighting root causes of extremism

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UAE successful in fighting root causes of extremism
Muhannad Al Khatib, Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, Dominique de Villepin and Husain Haqqani at a session in the International Government Communication forum in Sharjah.

Dubai - Al Naser noted that the government of the UAE has provided educational opportunities and a decent life for its citizens, removing the root causes of terrorism

By Amira Agarib

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Published: Mon 21 Mar 2016, 8:32 PM

 The root causes of terrorism do not exist in the UAE as the principles of the state is based on tolerance, justice, pluralism and inclusion of other values, according to participants of the IGCF 2016 in Sharjah.
The remarks came during a session moderated by Muhannad Al Khatib of Sky News Arabia, and attended by Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser of the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Organisation (UNADC), former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, and former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin.
Al Naser noted that the government of the UAE has provided educational opportunities and a decent life for its citizens, removing the root causes of terrorism.
"Extremism is caused by poverty, ignorance and a lack of dialogue between governments and their people," he said. Additionally, he called for the unification of efforts and campaigns to enlighten youth about their positive values, as they represent 70 per cent of the world.
The participants noted that communication must be used effectively, as terrorists such as Daesh have used various media platforms effectively to influence young people.
Al Nasser said that corruption, poverty, human rights abuses, long disputes such as the Palestinian issues, dictatorships and a lack of education have created the sense of oppression which produced the so-called Arab Spring.Hussain Haqqani noted that the Arab World is suffering from an absence of ideas and has had difficult in integrating Islam with modernity. He pointed out that Muslims represent one-fifth of the world's population, but their is a distinct lack of universities and patents from the Arab World.
Additionally, he noted that only 20 per cent of women are working in the Arab World - a fact which he says must be addressed. Women, he noted, should be encouraged to participate in scientific fields that will create jobs.
Dominique de Villepin warned against an alliance of terrorists and political groups, and suggested a new focusing on dismantling the groups that are trying to work with each other.
Government communication, he noted, must play a crucial role in countering extremist ideology through intensive media and awareness campaigns, as well as by identifying the material causes of terrorism.
amira@khaleejtimes.com


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