Madinah governor opens international conference on combating extremist ideologies

Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah Region, today inaugurated the International Conference on Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Counter Extremist Ideologies and its accompanying exhibition. The event, organized by the Islamic University, brings together senior officials, representatives from fatwa centers across Islamic countries, as well as researchers and specialists from within the Kingdom and abroad.

In his opening address, Prince Salman bin Sultan emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to raising awareness, safeguarding thought, and promoting the values of moderation and tolerance. He stressed the Kingdom’s determination to confront extremism and deviant ideologies, believing that sound thinking is fundamental to the security, stability, and prosperity of societies.

He explained that, under the guidance and support of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has promoted tolerance, strengthened intellectual awareness, and countered extremist rhetoric through a comprehensive system involving religious, educational, security, and media institutions. These efforts serve both Saudi society and the wider Islamic world, fostering dialogue and coexistence among peoples and cultures.

Prince Salman highlighted the importance of equipping Islamic societies with knowledge and sound beliefs amid rapid changes and the growing influence of various intellectual trends. He affirmed the role of education and academic institutions in building awareness and entrenching moderation, noting the Islamic University’s mission in this field.

Conference serves as platform for expertise exchange and integration

Prince Salman stated that the conference provides a scientific platform to showcase Saudi Arabia’s pioneering experiences in countering extremist ideologies and to facilitate the exchange of expertise among specialists. The aim is to develop visions and initiatives that help protect communities and enhance their security and stability.

He toured the accompanying exhibition, which addresses the causes, consequences, and solutions to extremist ideologies, highlights national initiatives to protect thought, and explores the roles of creed, mental health, and community institutions. The exhibition also demonstrates the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in tackling intellectual challenges.

Grand Mufti: Combating extremism is a shared responsibility

For his part, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan, delivered a speech through the council’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Dr. Fahd bin Saad Al-Majid. He stressed that confronting extremism and deviant ideologies is a collective responsibility, noting that Islamic law advocates moderation and warns against excess. He said Saudi Arabia’s efforts have set a comprehensive example in this field across scientific, intellectual, educational, and security domains.

He added that parents must monitor and protect their children from sources of deviant thought, while teachers, preachers, and media professionals should clarify the truth and warn against extremism. He cautioned against misguided groups, particularly the terrorist Houthi militia, which targets national unity.

The Grand Mufti called on researchers and specialists participating in the conference to consider these aspects in their scientific work, emphasizing that scholarly efforts contribute to protecting the minds of the nation’s youth and supporting Saudi Arabia’s fight against extremist ideologies.

Leadership’s support for education and the message of moderation

Islamic University President Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al-Aqla expressed gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for their ongoing support of education and universities, and praised the governor’s patronage of the conference as well as the support of the Minister of Education and the Council of University Affairs.

Al-Aqla noted that countering extremist ideologies is a shared responsibility that begins with the family, is reinforced through education, and is supported by religious, cultural, and media institutions. He added that since its founding, Saudi Arabia has approached intellectual security as a comprehensive system, and that the Islamic University has become a global beacon for promoting moderation and disseminating sound knowledge.