UAE speaks preventing extremism in UN

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates, headed by Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations in Gevea Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, attended the UN's Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism, held on April 7 and 8. The conference was attended by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter. In a statement delivered before the conference, Al Zaabi said the UAE spared no effort in combating terrorism and extremism in all manifestations. "Since its establishment, the UAE has been in the forefront of states that adopted a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism and extremism through three main dimensions: Legistaltive, Religious and Cultural, and Media and Social Work," he said. He went on to say that the UAE adopted legislations on combating violent extremism and terrorism, including law no. 1 of 2004 on combating terrorist crimes, the federal law no. 39 of 2006 on international judicial cooperation and criminal assistance and federal law no. 7 of 2015 on establishing the Abu Dhabi-based Hedaya Centre, the first-ever international Center dedicated to countering violent extremism. Hedaya Centre was created in response to the growing desire from the members of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) and the wider international community for the establishment of an independent, multilateral center devoted to Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in all of its forms and manifestations. During the ministerial-level launch of the GCTF in New York in September 2011, the UAE offered to serve as the host of Hedayah. Referring to the religious and cultural side, Al Zaabi confirmed that the UAE has, particularly through the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE), instilled values of moderation, coexistence and tolerance in the community, based on the fact that they are the main bulwark against extremism that lurks in Arab and Islamic communities. He re-affirmed that it also contributed towards enhancing religious awareness and strengthening Islamic culture by supporting constructive efforts. Such efforts include, most notably, reforming the religious discourse and advocating return to the tolerant image of Islam to address extremism and militancy tendencies that some are trying Al Zaabi added that the authority is keen on organising lectures and forums in various institutions in the society which present the true image of Islam, away from radicalism and extremism. He also noted the opportunity that development programme for Friday sermon presents as it can result in enrichment of speeches with new ideas through mail or website of various bodies.