A two-day International conference on “Role of Media in the Prevention of Extremism and Terrorism” commenced here at Faisal Masjid Campus of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).
The moot organized by Department of Media and Communication studies was inaugurated by Minister of State for Capital Administration Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal who said that government was working on counter narrative against extremism and terrorism. He called upon the Muslim countries to evolve strategies to deal with the problem of terrorism.
The Minister said that media should play a vital role for creating awareness about the ongoing scenario in the society. He said media should play its responsibility, adding that a number of initiative will be taken for the future and betterment of society.
He said nation should unite to disseminate the message of peace and tolerance as Pakistan fighting against extremism and terrorism.
“Pakistan had devoted many precious lives for the controlling of extremism and terrorism in the country,” he added. The minister appreciated the organizers who arranged two-day international conference at IIUI.
The inaugural ceremony was also joined by experts, vice chancellors and media representatives hailing from Thailand, Sudan, Uganda, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Qatar, Brunei Darussalam, IIUI Rector, Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, IIUI President, Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, Chairman Department of Media and Communication Studies, Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, other relevant officials and IIUI students.
Dr. Masoom Yasinzai elaborated role of IIUI and its vision of internationalization while telling that the university, through its scholars, researchers was heading towards providing solutions to the core issues being faced by Muslims societies. He added that the university had been a hub for promotion of peace, tranquility and peaceful- co existence.
Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh said that media was the most vital tool in prevailing circumstances to deal with the menace of terrorism. He stressed that dissemination of Islam’s true message of peace and discouragement of the violence and extremism through media was a pre-requisite. He also called for a linkage between the Muslim scholars and media and added that both, together, can help in establishing a road map to counter the issue of terrorism.
IIUI President presented five points for dealing with the problem of terrorism which included content to aware the youths regarding negative impacts of terrorism, dealing with wrong interpretations of Islam disseminated by negative elements. In third point, he emphasized upon Muslim intellectuals to play role in building narrative against intolerance and violence. In fourth point, IIUI President suggested that such conferences be arranged with more frequency and he concluded while saying that appropriate and accurate knowledge of Holy Quran and Sunnah among youths was necessary.
Earlier, Dr. Zafar Iqbal thanked the participants and foreigner guests and presented detailed goals and objectives of the conference.
On second day, the scholars and veteran media experts would discuss sources of media and problems of terrorism, role of media in countering terrorism and other vital topics, while it will conclude in the evening of Tuesday as well.