‘Unified, coordinated efforts of Muslim countries can defeat terrorism’
KUALA LUMPUR: Terrorism and extremism can be defeated through the unified and coordinated action of defence ministers in the Muslim world, says Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Al Saud.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Defence Ministers Council in Riyadh, he said more than 40 Islamic countries are sending “a very strong signal” that they would work together and coordinate strongly to support each other’s efforts.
“This matter will happen today and every state will provide what it can in each area, according to its capabilities and potentials,” said Mohammed, who is also the Saudi defence minister.
Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein attended the meeting.
Mohammed said the greatest danger caused by extremist terrorism was the distortion of the reputation of a tolerant religion.
“Today, we began tracking down terrorism and we see its defeat in many countries, especially in Islamic countries, and today we will confirm that we will pursue it until it disappears completely from the surface of the Earth,” he said in a press statement on Monday.
Mohammed’s address, which launched the coalition, was followed by remarks from experts outlining the key areas of cooperation in IMCTC’s four strategic domains — ideology, communications, counterterrorist financing and military.
Following a closed-door session of the delegations, the meeting concluded with a closing declaration, committing the ministers to sharing intelligence and resources and building capacity for member states to fight terrorism across all four domains.
Held under the theme “Allied Against Terrorism”, the meeting of IMCTC Defence Ministers Council agreed on the coalition’s strategy, governance, activities and future plans.
Saudi Arabia announced the formation of IMCTC in 2015 to form a unified pan-Islamic front against terrorism.
In March last year, chiefs of staff from Islamic countries met in Riyadh and affirmed their determination to intensify efforts in fighting terrorism through joint work as per their capabilities.
This was based on the desire of each member country to participate in operations or programmes in the IMCTC framework, as per its policies and procedures, and without compromising the sovereignty of the coalition’s member countries.