On the occasion of the International Day for Countering Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism, the Scientific Division at Al-Politeknik College – Al-Qadisiyah, one of the formations of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, organized an awareness seminar entitled “Violent Extremism.” The seminar was held under the patronage of the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Zaki Mohammed Abbas Bahiyeh, and in cooperation with the Women’s Affairs Unit and the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics Technologies.
The seminar was delivered by Assistant Lecturer Nidaa Ajeel Duhan and Assistant Lecturer Rasha Hussein Ahmed. It addressed the concept of violent extremism as attitudes and actions that go beyond intellectual disagreement to become a threat to security and social peace. The distinction was clarified between intellectual extremism, which is confined to ideas and beliefs without resorting to violence, and violent extremism, which is associated with the use of violence.
The seminar also examined the causes leading to violent extremism, including:
- Social factors: poverty, unemployment, marginalization, and the absence of justice.
- Psychological factors: feelings of oppression, anger, and the desire to belong to a powerful group.
- Intellectual and religious factors: misunderstanding or rigid interpretation of religious and ideological texts.
- External influences: interference by terrorist groups or online networks to disseminate extremist ideology.
The seminar highlighted the serious consequences of violent extremism on society, including social destruction, societal division, economic losses, disruption of productivity, exploitation of youth for recruitment, and loss of trust in institutions.
It also discussed methods of confronting violent extremism, including:
- Promoting religious and intellectual education and spreading moderate and balanced thought.
- Supporting social justice by providing employment opportunities and essential services.
- The role of the media and society in combating extremist propaganda and promoting values of tolerance and respect.
- Engaging youth and women in awareness programs and community initiatives to strengthen positive belonging.
- Enhancing international and local cooperation among security, educational, and social institutions, monitoring digital content, and combating online extremism.