Bahrain in push to combat extremism

Project will bring together researchers, religious, security and educational figures

Ways to combat extremist ideologies and protect young people from their scourge will be the focus of a national initiative to be launched in Bahrain.

The initiative will bring together researchers, religious, security and educational figures and civil society from the kingdom to analyse intellectual extremism and to suggest solutions and remedies, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, Chairman of Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), said.

He outlined four axes to address and confront extremism.

“There is a need to spread wider the values of moderation, contain extremists and engage in dialogue with them,” he said.

“Media must be able to counter terrorist propaganda to radicalise and recruit young people. Another aspect to be reviewed is drying up the financial sources of extremist groups because their survival is linked to the support and funding they can get. The fourth theme of the initiative is the ongoing military operations in Syria and Iraq and the internal security measures.”

Arab nations have been suffering from extremism although their divine religions clearly enhance the values of moderation, tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence, he added.

“The plague of extremism will go on as long as there are conflicts in the Arab countries and terrorism is not rooted out,” Shaikh Abdullah said as he introduced the initiative during a talk show hosted by Bahrain Radio.

Another aspect to be reviewed is drying up the financial sources of extremist groups because their survival is linked to the support and funding they can get.”

Shaikh Abdullah | Chairman of Derasat

Saudi approach

He referred to the gentle Saudi approach in tackling radical ideologies as a good example of counter-radicalisation strategy.

Saudi Arabia used religious figures, psychiatrists and psychologists to rehabilitate extremist inmates.