March 27, 2019

AMF speaker calls on nations to have framework to counter incitements

Political analyst condemns hate speeches by religious leaders against certain communities

A speaker at the Arab Media Forum taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre has called on nations to have a framework to counter incitement for religious terrorism.

Speaking on the first day of AMF, Dr. Ayed Al Manna, Researcher and Political Analyst, advocated measures to counter incitement as it does not respect human rights. Incitement leads to violations and undermines the goals of counter-terrorism itself, he said.

“There are two types of incitements affecting communities and whole nations. It is a dangerous phenomenon. It leads to violation which is direct. For example, certain persons come to mosques and start firing at some people. That’s what happened in New Zealand recently when terrorists gunned down several worshippers in a mosque.”

Speaking about the dangerous consequences of incitements, Al Manna said they lead to violence against people or a community itself. There are incitements for discrimination, weakening of individuals or depriving them of their rights whether social or political. Discrimination may be based on colour or creed like in the US or in Iraq against the Kurds.  Violence and discrimination will lead to social disruption and hatred. He cited incidents in Egypt, which is a cradle of civilization and religion. Though the government is against it, Christian minorities are discriminated against.

Al Manna had on earlier occasions argued that although Islamic scholars have repeatedly emphasised that they do not support ISIS, their statements are in line with ISIS ideology.

“Incitements are not necessarily against religions, they are also aimed at foreign workers in certain countries, which may weaken nations, spread hatred, like what is happening against the Algerians or Moroccans in France. Sometimes religion is used to incite violence,” he said.

He also condemned hate speeches by religious leaders against certain communities and the description of terrorists as martyrs to attract young men. It is not only happening in the Arab world, but also in the West. All use religion to occupy other countries, which is a dangerous phenomenon. Incitements have religious and political reasons also, leading to hatred, the fragmentation of society and the collapse of the social fabric. The mistake is the abuse of religion.”