More from the Ummah:
The prevailing view of the participants of the conference was that terrorism and
extremism constitute a threat to the peace, security and stability of all countries and
peoples. Terrorism has no justification no matter what pretext terrorists may use for their deeds.
It was underlined that terrorism should be understood in its own political,
religious, historical and cultural context. Societies experience terrorism differently and its
motives are diverse. However, every country faces an urgent need to prevent and
suppress terrorist crimes as well as in addressing their national specific conditions that
are conducive to the spread of terrorism.
President Ben Ali underscored the urgent need to address the spread of terrorism~m
from a global perspective especially since "terrorism has become a transcontinental
scourge that unsettles international relations and threatens security and stability in the
world". Terrorists may exploit vulnerabilities and grievances which help to breed
extremism locally, and connect quickly with others at the international level. Keeping in
mind that the most efficient remedy to the problem of terrorism was cooperative
prevention, the conference aimed to: (a) identify "vulnerable" areas exploited by
terrorists in the social, economic, cultural and educational spheres, (b) recommend
appropriate solutions and (c) dispel misapprehensions about Islam.
Within the framework of the ab6above objectives, the Conference focused on five
key themes: Conditions conducive to terrorism; Challenging stereotypes and promoting
interfaith dialogue; Education for preventing terrorism; Dialogue among cultures and
civilizations and their role in countering terrorism; and Role of international and
specialized organizations in countering terrorism. As deliberations proceeded, it was
made clear that exclusive reliance on enforcement solutions .only could not address the
various menaces of terrorism. Indeed, the need ta formulate a comprehensive, collective
and intergovernmental approach to combating terrorism highlighted the urgency far
collaborative efforts aimed at addressing conditions conducive to terrorism. As Prof.
Ekmeleddin Ihsangalu, Ole Secretary General noted, there is a growing need to be mare
concerned with tackling "defamatory campaigns that seek ta incite a particular
civilization against another, thereby inflaming violence; hatred and extremism, and
ultimately leading to terrorism" .
. Furthermore, the participants believed that terrorism flourishes in environments
.of discontent, exclusion, humiliation, poverty,political oppression, and human rights
abuse as well as in the environment of regional conflicts. It profits from weak State
capacity to maintain law and .order. These vulnerable areas are exploited by terrorists to
mobilize~ recruits and justify violence. None .of the religions are a cause of political
radicalism and extremism; Religious doctrine may be 'tools of mobilization' rather than'
a direct cause. Islam does not cause terrorism, nor does any other religion with which
terrorist acts have been associated. Methods of terrorism, as underlined by many
. participants are employed by many different groups in many parts of the world in pursuit
of various .objectives which have nothing to do with the true image of Islam or any other
religion. Participants suggested that the real motives which provide fertile environment
for terrorism should be addressed by finding local solutions, including at grass roots
level.
http://www.oicun.org/uploads/files/articles/terrorism_conference_concl-en.pdfThe Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is the main organization representing the whole Muslim Ummah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ummah
