UAE Counter-terrorism Initiatives: Countering Terrorism in the Middle East
The global community, particularly the Arab region, is confronted with many risks and obstacles due to the scourge of cross-border terrorism, which jeopardizes international peace and security. The proliferation of terrorist organisations exploiting the internet to attract new recruits, particularly youth and children, poses a significant threat. The Middle East has become a breeding ground for extremist groups espousing radical ideologies, preying on disadvantaged communities, and exploiting vulnerable children in conflict-ridden countries like Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and others.?
The Middle East has become a stronghold for two of the deadliest terrorist organizations in the world - the Islamic State and al Qaeda - who have established their presence in the Levant and the Gulf regions. In addition, state-sponsored Shia threat networks, such as Lebanese Hezbollah and Houthis, operate across the Middle East and beyond. These Sunni and Shia entities leverage the conflict zones and their extremist ideologies to compete for power and influence, recruiting and radicalizing both local and diaspora Muslims to engage in violent conflict. Unless governments collaborate to address this core threat, the Middle East, as well as its neighbouring regions in Asia and Africa, will continue to suffer from terrorism and political instability in the foreseeable future. Countering extremism and its devastating consequences requires a comprehensive approach, combining intelligence-led prevention and community-based security measure.
UAE’s Counter-terrorism Initiatives
The UAE has been steadfast in its efforts to combat terrorism, implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes coordinated, integrated, and innovative initiatives aimed at developing national legislation and accession to relevant international conventions. The UAE's Federal Law No. 7 of 2014, for instance, provides strict measures for pursuing perpetrators of terrorist crimes. In addition, the UAE has established the "National Committee for Combating Terrorism" to oversee the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions in line with international and regional instruments.
Moreover, the UAE has also taken steps to control the import and export of goods related to weapons of mass destruction, enacting Federal Law No. 13 in 2007. The country has also passed federal acts to punish those guilty of incitement to terrorism or committing terrorist acts. To prevent money laundering, illicit arms and drugs trade, and other transnational crimes related to terrorism and extremism, the UAE has put in place strict and rigorous controls. The country has allocated all national resources and expertise to ensure coordination and cooperation with international, regional, and sub-regional mechanisms in the fight against terrorism.
Hedayah
Hedayah was established to fulfil the growing international community's and the Global Counterterrorism Forum's (GCTF) desire for an independent, multilateral 'think and do' tank to counter violent extremism.
During the ministerial-level launch in New York, UAE was the honour of co-chairing the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group. As a proactive member of the international community, the UAE demonstrated its commitment to the cause by offering to establish the first-ever International Center of Excellence for CVE. This idea came to fruition in December 2012 with the inauguration of Hedayah in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Located in a neutral, apolitical, and non-ideological centre, Hedayah provides a platform for diverse perspectives to come together and address the issue of violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
Through its communication, capacity-building programs, and research and analysis departments, Hedayah is recognized as a thought leader in the field of CVE. Its expertise in CVE programs, and collaborative efforts with local partners, practitioners, and subject matter experts enable the organisation to provide sustainable, long-term solutions. As a part of the Abu Dhabi Memorandum's follow-up action plan, Hedayah is committed to exploring and strengthening the link between education and CVE. By leveraging both formal and informal education in CVE strategies and programs, communities can be protected from radicalization leading to violent extremism (RLVE), and resilience can be built among the most vulnerable populations. Hedayah seizes opportunities to incorporate both formal and informal education in CVE strategies while keeping abreast of the most recent research in the field through participation in various activities such as conferences, workshops, and training with world-renowned CVE partners and experts.
Hedayah considers community engagement with multiple actors among its crucial expertise. Existing CVE efforts have integrated perspectives from various local actors, including youth, gender, families, police officers, and community and religious leaders. Community engagement also involves building the capacities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, semi-government organizations, and international organizations to implement CVE activities effectively. Hedayah is committed to taking these initiatives further by equipping local actors and practitioners with tools and knowledge through various training and funding opportunities.
The Sawab Center
The UAE is committed to combating and eliminating terrorism and extremism globally, including in the Middle East. The UAE government has taken various measures to combat extremism, including the cessation of suspicious funding, hindering the recruitment of foreign fighters, ensuring border security, preventing the misuse of the internet and social media, and challenging the exploitation of religious centres to spread hatred and violence.
In pursuit of this goal, the government established the Sawab Center, an online initiative to curb the dissemination of violent extremist propaganda. The term "Sawab" means doing the right thing in Arabic. The Sawab Center counters false claims, highlights significant actions taken by the global coalition against extremists, and amplifies credible voices to denounce terrorism.
To this end, the UAE has collaborated closely with the US in the fight against terrorism, providing military, logistical, and intelligence assistance. The UAE has participated in six coalition counter-terrorism, stabilisation, and peacekeeping missions alongside the US, more than any other Arab military. The UAE recognizes that military force alone cannot defeat violent extremists. A comprehensive strategy is required, which includes measures such as cutting off funding, disrupting foreign fighter recruitment, securing borders, preventing the spread of hate and violence on the internet and social media, and countering radicalization and recruitment through religious centres.
The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies
The UAE is a pioneering member of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies. In response to the escalating violence and devastation in the Muslim world, the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies was launched in 2014. The situation was direr than previous crises, with instability in many regions leading to distorted perceptions of Islam worldwide. This has resulted in an increase in Islamophobia, with prejudice and acts of violence against Muslims on the rise, particularly in the West.
The 2021 8th Assembly of the forum focused on the theme of "Comprehensive Citizenship: From Shared Existence to Shared Conscience." The event brought together government representatives, religious leaders, and hundreds of scholars from various faiths, including many young scholars. The topic of citizenship was chosen for its crucial role in strengthening global peace and promoting stability in different communities.
Besides, the UAE is an active member of various forums that promote peace in Muslim societies. One such forum is the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which the UAE is a member of. The OIC is a collective platform that aims to promote peace, cooperation, and solidarity among its member states. The UAE has played an active role in several OIC initiatives, including efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, promote economic and social development, and protect the rights of Muslims around the world.
The UAE is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is a regional alliance of Arab states. The GCC aims to promote economic, social, and political cooperation among its member states and address common challenges, including terrorism and extremism.
Counterterrorism Efforts Through Technology and Finance
The UAE is dedicated to combating terrorism and extremism and has ratified 14 international counter-terrorism treaties. The country has participated in collective alliances, including the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and the Arab and international alliances against Daesh. The UAE also supports moderate religious institutions, such as Al Azhar.
The country is actively engaged in countering foreign terrorist fighters, utilizing advanced technology to enhance its border security and exchange information with Member States and INTERPOL. Major General Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, a UAE national, currently serves as the President of INTERPOL. The UAE also supports victims of terrorism and contributes to the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL.
The UAE has also called for renewed attention to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and advocated for a two-state solution during its term as Chair of the Group of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The country is a steadfast supporter of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
To promote tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and cultural diversity, the UAE has taken proactive measures to counter the financing of terrorism, hold financiers of terrorism accountable, promote counter-narratives, address the exploitation of new technologies and online platforms by extremists, train religious leaders, and strengthen the role of youth and women in prevention efforts.
Conclusion
The UAE has taken on the responsibility of promoting moderation, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance to counter extremist groups. It has implemented several initiatives that have been well-received globally. One such initiative is The Muslim Council of Elders, launched in Abu Dhabi in July 2014 as the first independent international organization to promote peace in the Muslim world. The Council comprises Muslim scholars renowned for their wisdom and committed to countering extremist ideologies that have long plagued the Muslim community, causing sectarian conflicts, violence, and polarization.
The UAE government has established various initiatives to counter violent extremism and promote tolerance, such as the creation of the Minister of State for Tolerance in February and the launch of the 'National Program for Tolerance' in June under its Vision 2021 initiative. The program centres around five pillars, including enhancing the government's role as a promoter of tolerance, promoting tolerance among youth, preventing fanaticism and violent extremism, enriching scientific and cultural tolerance content, and contributing to global efforts to foster tolerance.
References
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Pic Courtsey-Abdullah Aydin at unsplash.com
(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)
