Fight extremism with ‘lofty values,’ Saudi forum told

The participants have called for the protection of society from perverted thoughts, extremism and partisan groups. (SPA)

JEDDAH: A three-day national conference for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice has called for a “strengthening of ideological security” in Saudi Arabia to enhance a sense of community and discourage extremism.
The forum, which ended on Friday, was held under the auspices of Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Sanad, general president of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and was attended by Shoura Council Speaker Abdullah Al-Asheikh, and several ministers, scholars and members of the committee.
In his address, Al-Sanad expressed his appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting their approval to organize the conference.
He hailed efforts by conference participants and working committees to make the forum a success.
The conference participants also recommended that the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) prepare comprehensive scientific material about Saudi Arabia’s attention to rituals, as decided by the imams.
The recommendations emphasized the use of scientific research in the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice jurisprudence, urging graduate students at universities to prepare theses on the subject.
Participants also underscored the influential role of the general presidency of the committee through the promotion of “lofty values and high morals among community members, clarifying the approach of Islam calling for moderation, and protecting society from perverted thoughts, extremism and partisan groups.”
The recommendations called for a strengthening of ties between the general presidency and the community through social media, as well as television and radio programs, to shed light on the achievements of the general presidency and showcase its fields of competence.
Participants recommended launching an annual scientific excellence award to disseminate research, compilations and manuscripts related to the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice.