Experts Discuss Political Islam and Extremism at Abu Dhabi Forum
In Abu Dhabi, researchers and experts from various countries gathered for the Fourth Annual Forum on Political Islam, organized by TRENDS Research and Advisory. The event focused on the theme “The Muslim Brotherhood and Violence.” Eighteen scholars from the UAE, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Germany, and Canada participated, emphasizing the need to understand the ideological roots of political Islam to address Islamist extremism effectively.
The forum highlighted the importance of condemning terrorism and extremism in all forms and called for a redefinition of terrorism to include those who theorize and support it, not just those who commit acts of violence. The experts stressed the necessity of intellectual dialogue between the West and the Arab world to counter extremist ideologies with comprehensive strategies.
Speakers also pointed out the dangers of using terrorism as a geopolitical tool and the need for collaboration between Western and Arab academia to develop practical solutions to combat extremist violence.
Doubts Revealed
Political Islam -: Political Islam refers to movements or ideologies that seek to apply Islamic principles to political governance. It involves using religion as a basis for political decisions and laws.
Extremism -: Extremism is when people have very strong beliefs that are far from what most people think is normal or acceptable. It often leads to actions that can harm others or disrupt society.
Abu Dhabi -: Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East. It is known for its modern architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Forum -: A forum is a meeting or event where people come together to discuss important topics. In this case, experts gathered to talk about political Islam and extremism.
Ideological roots -: Ideological roots refer to the basic ideas and beliefs that form the foundation of a particular ideology or way of thinking. These roots influence how people view the world and make decisions.
Intellectual dialogue -: Intellectual dialogue is a conversation between people who share ideas and knowledge to understand each other better. It helps in finding solutions to complex issues by exchanging different viewpoints.
Arab world -: The Arab world consists of countries in the Middle East and North Africa where Arabic is the main language. These countries share cultural and historical ties.
Redefinition of terrorism -: Redefinition of terrorism means changing the way we understand and define terrorism. It includes not just those who commit violent acts, but also those who support or promote such ideas.