In observance of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism, the Scientific Division at Al-Polytechnic College – Al-Qadisiyah, under the patronage of the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Zaki Mohammed Abbas Bahiyya, and in cooperation with the Women’s Affairs Unit and the Department of Insurance Technologies, organized an awareness seminar entitled: “From Extremist Thought to Terrorism: How Violent Extremism Begins.”
The seminar was delivered by Assistant Professor Yas Khudair Abbas and Assistant Lecturer Amir Mohammed Abbas, in the presence of a number of faculty members and students.
The seminar highlighted the stages an individual may undergo, beginning with the adoption of extremist ideas and potentially progressing to involvement in acts of violence that may lead to terrorism. It explained that extremism does not begin with a violent act, but rather with a rigid idea that gradually develops within an environment that may suffer from ignorance, exclusion, or a sense of injustice. In the absence of awareness and constructive dialogue, such ideas can evolve into deeply rooted convictions that justify violence.
The seminar also discussed the role of families, educational institutions, and media organizations in early prevention, emphasizing that promoting a culture of tolerance, moderation, and national belonging constitutes the first line of defense against deviant ideology. It further underscored the importance of empowering and intellectually and psychologically supporting youth, providing safe spaces for dialogue, and reinforcing the role of laws in deterring extremist behaviors.
The seminar concluded by affirming that confronting extremism is a collective responsibility requiring concerted efforts between official and community institutions, as well as the promotion of the values of peace and coexistence to build a safe and stable society.