Spread of terrorism and extremism is greatest threat, says FNC speaker

ABU DHABI // The Speaker of the Federal National Council has said the greatest threat to democracy, peace and sustainable development is the spread of terrorism and extremism in the name of religion or sectarianism.

Mohammed Al Murr made his comments on the second day of the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

Under the title Placing Democracy at the Service of Peace and Sustainable Development, the three-day conference was convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an international organisation of parliaments from 163 countries, in cooperation with the United Nations.

Speaking on behalf of the UAE Parliamentary Division, Mr Al Murr said to stop the threat of terrorism and extremism a collective and collaborative effort by governments, parliaments and civil societies was required with all of the actors sharing the responsibility.

The UAE’s policies, which value tolerance and coexistence between different people , religions, cultures and nations, was key in maintaining stability in the country he said.

The delegation of the UAE Parliamentary Division at the conference included FNC members Rashid Al Shariqi, Ahmed Al Mansouri, Faisal Al Tunaiji and Dr Mona Al Bahr, all members of the FNC, and Abdulrahman Al Shamsi, Assistant Secretary General of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs of the FNC.