Hackathon for social good opens in capital

Ahackathon organised by the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies (FPPMS) was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, President of the FPPMS.

The event drew participation from 30 youths of various nationalities besides global experts and professionals who proposed ideas for global peace.

The event aims to bring together a global group of entrepreneurs, technologists and artists who will join hands with Muslim religious scholars to come up with ideas for promoting peace among Muslim populations.

The hackathon is part of the annual FPPMS, which will begin the second part of its activities today. The forum will host an open dialogue on jihad and fighting “takfir” (accusing people of being disbelievers), and consolidating the concept of peace, among other topics.

Speaking about the concept of jihad at the hackathon, Shaikh Abdullah said that the concept of jihad that he preaches about is completely in line with international norms and conventions, which state the right of self-defence, and allows a country to carry out a jihad as a legitimate war in retaliation for an attack that threatens its sovereignty and national rights. He also stressed that a defensive jihad is decided upon by governments, not individuals and groups.

He indicated that jihad for individuals and groups is the spiritual struggle towards doing good deeds and alleviating the suffering of the needy, as well as communicating with other people in a kind manner. He said that in his opinion, this kind of jihad is the best one of all.