Role of moderate youth in peace and security vital - GMMF

Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) is organising a seminar on 'Countering Violent Extremism' in the University of Jordan here on Friday and Saturday (Nov 25-26) as an effort to recognise the role of youth in peace and security.

GMMF Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Nasharudin Mat Isa said with the support of Majlis Perwakilan Mahasiswa Malaysia Jordan (MPMM), the seminar is held against the backdrop of an alarming number of vulnerable youth who have been deceived by the propaganda perpetrated by notorious terrorist movement Daish.

"...(Daish tries to influence youth) to become its sympathisers, supporters and even suicide bombers, leading to the loss of many innocent lives," he said here Thursday.

Scheduled to be attended by 500 Malaysian undergraduates in Jordan, he said the seminar is aimed at debunking the myths and revealing the true colours of Daish.

"The seminar is to refute the theological foundations of extremism from the perspective of Islamic philosophy of moderation - Al-Wasatiyyah, sharing the facts that the global threats of radicalisation, extremism and militancy is causing public safety and security issues in the current global context and specifically, to encourage youth to support the Malaysian authorities in executing counter-narrative initiatives," he said.

Nasharudin said the seminar's objective was consistent with GMMF's initiatives in campaigning for the voice of moderation to reclaim the centre stage by providing an open and inclusive platform to directly engage the diverse stakeholders, including youth in moderation discourses and dialogues within a peaceful co-existence framework.

"The young participants will have an opportunity to share their experience and exchange views with the panelists who are experts, scholars and practitioners in the field of religion and violent extremism," he said.

Nasharudin will deliver a keynote address, titled 'The Moderation Approach in dealing with Extremism, Liberalism and Pluralism' and a working paper on 'Propelling the Thoughts of Moderation and Counter Narratives in Confronting Extremism'.

Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit Assistant Director, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay will present two working papers on 'The Threats of Militancy and Extremism to the Country' and 'The Crisis of ISIS Ideology: Impact, Influence and Approaches by Malaysian Authorities'.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (UKM) Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies Prof Dr Wan Kamal Mujani will present two working papers from the perspective of Wasatiyyah, namely 'Appreciating the Practices of Moderation in Nation Building: Reality and Challenges' and 'The Role of Youth in Countering Extremism'.

In addition, there will be a presentation from a local Jordanian scholar from the University of Mu'tah, Dr Showaish Almahameed on the role and views of religion towards countering violent extremism while Malaysian Ambassador to Jordan, Zakri Jaafar will officiate the launch of the event.

The seminar, a continuation of GMMF's engagement with young Malaysians studying abroad, is held in collaboration with Education Malaysia Jordan and five youth organisations.

The five youth organisations are Persatuan Mahasiswa Malaysia IRBID (PERMAI), Persatuan Mahasiswa Malaysia Universiti Mu'tah (PERMATA), Persatuan Mahasiswa Malaysia Al-Albayt (PRISMA), Persatuan Pelajar Mahasiswa Malaysia Amman (PPMA) and Moderate Youth Movement (MYMT).

The event, besides being a launching pad for further discourses with young Malaysians in the Middle East, is also part of a series of GMMF engagements to further propel students - be it Malaysians or otherwise - to actively participate and affiliate themselves with the global movement of moderates.

Held in conjunction with Persidangan Tahunan Mahasiswa Malaysia Se-Jordan kali ke-11 (PERMATA XI), it is hoped that the seminar will successfully propagate the value of moderation and Wasatiyyah to counter the spread, influence and consequences of extremist ideologies among Malaysian youth, especially those pursuing studies overseas. --Bernama