ABU DHABI // The UAE has restated its opposition to terrorism, extremism and sectarianism, while stressing the need for using culture and media as part of strategies to combat terrorist ideologies.
“The UAE reiterates its firm stance against terrorism and extremism, as well as its commitment to adopting cultural, intellectual and media approaches, as a pillar of a strategy to combat terrorist ideology and curb extremist religious rhetoric,” Dr Maytha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, said while reading out the UAE’s statement at the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) which concluded on Wednesday in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.
The Muslim world, she noted, was in dire circumstances, where terrorism and sectarianism were trying to undermine nation-states, rip the social fabric and peace in many regions, and threaten global security and peace.
“It is clear that the sovereignty, security and stability of states, as well as their efforts to increase the welfare for their peoples, are being threatened by looming dangers.”
She cited the establishment of the Hedayah Centre to Counter Violent Extremism and the Sawab Centre, a joint UAE-United States initiative to counter ISIL on the internet, among efforts being exerted by the UAE to protect its youth from being radicalised into violent extremism.
“The UAE has a profound belief in the values of justice and rule of law, and seeks to provide happiness for its citizens and residents. This belief is being translated into realistic polices based on our strong conviction that real development is not confined to the economic sphere but, first and foremost, necessitates investment in man, development of education, as well as the promotion of the values of tolerance and acceptance of others,” Ms Al Shamsi said.
She cited women’s empowerment as one of the UAE’s core policies that are “based on a strong belief in their pioneering role in society and effective contribution to preparing future generations”.
Speaking about the UAE’s positions on regional issues, she stressed the UAE’s inalienable right to, and sovereignty over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, now occupied by Iran.
She also regretted the inaction of the international community to carry out its duty and save the Syrian people from the continuous killing, in which no political solution is in sight.
The minister further stressed the need for serious action to empower the legitimate Yemeni government to complete a political transition that will save the sovereignty and independence of Yemen.
She reiterated the UAE’s condemnation of, and grave concern over, the rebel Houthi group’s assaults on ships in international waters which “aims to exacerbate the situation in the region and in Yemen, in particular”.
“Finding a peaceful solution in the Middle East is vital for countering tensions in this region,” the minister said, while noting that this requires the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Arab and Palestinian territories it had occupied in 1967, to the pre-1967 borders, and the right of Palestinians to have an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The UAE, she said, backed a peaceful settlement that is based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed by the Arab League in 2002.
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