Interfaith dialogue and co-operation key to fostering cohesion and preventing violent extremism, conclude participants at OSCE-organized discussion in Vienna

VIENNA, 19 April 2016 - Interfaith dialogue and co-operation are key to fostering cohesion and preventing violent extremism, conclude participants of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group meeting held today in Vienna.

“Religion and dialogue are important means to issues which can counteract the influence of violent extremist groups and their message of intolerance, which have an impact on the wider OSCE region,” said Ambassador Christian Strohal, Chair of the 2016 Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group. “It is vital to include faith and community leaders in the fight against violent extremism and give them a platform to work together and face the new realities with the framework of our values and commitments.”

The UN’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, presented in January 2016, explains how violent extremist group distort and misuse religious beliefs in order to legitimize their actions and recruit followers. The OSCE Ministerial Declaration No. 4/15 on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism stresses the role of religious leaders and religious communities in addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism and countering incitement to terrorism.

Kamal Boraiqa Abdelsalam Hassan, Professor of the Islamic Studies at the Al Azhar University in Egypt, emphasized the importance of education. “Our teaching does not only include the principles of dialogue, the legitimacy of difference and the recognition of the other, but also works to bridge the gap amongst various religions,” he said. “No single religion, no single nation and no single organization can do what is needed to confront the challenge of violent extremism and terrorism. It is going to take all of us, putting all our differences aside and coming together, to stand as a united front for humanity and tolerance.”

Mohand Ouadir Mechnan, Director for Religious and Educational Affairs at Algeria’s Ministry of Religion, focused on the importance of promoting values of peace, security and coexistence, respect for the feelings and beliefs of others, whatever their race or religion. “Terrorism and violent extremism have no particular religion, homeland or geographical boundaries, but are a cross-border and cross-continent phenomenon, threatening the security of societies and their vital interests.”

Elif Medeni, Representative of the Islamic Faith Community in Austria, stressed importance of education, outreach, tolerance and understanding as well as the role of women in countering violent extremism.

The Organization-wide campaign ‘OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism’ (#UnitedCVE), launched in 2015 by the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, to underscore that the OSCE stands together as one in countering violent extremism that leads to terrorism, was promoted during the meeting.