Cairo, Egypt – Egyptian researcher Mounir Adib, specializing in Islamic movements, stated that the United Arab Emirates‘ experience in dealing with violent and extremist groups is a progressive model worthy of study and wider application. He considered it potentially the most important experience in the Arab region after Egypt’s in this field. Adib explained that the UAE succeeded in creating a domestic environment free from terrorism and extremism thanks to a comprehensive and integrated strategy.
A comprehensive confrontation strategy
In his remarks to “Sawt Al Emarat,” Adeeb pointed out that the UAE’s success in confronting extremism stems from its adoption of multifaceted governmental and executive policies. These policies aim to contain extremism and dismantle its mechanisms at their roots, both organizationally and ideologically. He added that the country has succeeded in preventing extremist organizations from carrying out any terrorist operations within its borders, most notably the Muslim Brotherhood movement, which has disappeared from the Emirati scene.
He pointed out that efforts to combat extremism were not limited to dismantling organizations, but also included dismantling the ideologies upon which they were founded. This helped to reduce the ability of these groups to persist. Adeeb explained that the UAE succeeded in understanding the transformations of extremist organizations and anticipating their movements. This was achieved through building a moderate religious discourse in cooperation with religious institutions and the role of sheikhs, which contributed to drying up the sources of extremist ideology.
Spreading the values of tolerance and happiness
The researcher noted that the UAE has worked to promote the values of tolerance and happiness. This has been achieved through unconventional initiatives such as the establishment of a Ministry of Happiness, a Ministry of Tolerance, and the Muslim Council of Elders. This has directly contributed to the disappearance of an environment conducive to extremism in the country.
A call to generalize the experience
Adib added that the UAE’s success in eliminating these organizations and their ideologies makes its experience a model that can be learned from and replicated. This model would extend to the Arab region and Europe. He emphasized that the international community has come to recognize the danger posed by the Muslim Brotherhood and is moving towards containing it and designating it as a terrorist organization.
The researcher concluded by saying that the UAE experience provides a clear methodology for countries wishing to protect their security and stability, noting the importance of learning from it to confront the growing threats to regional and international security.
