RIYADH: Saudi academics have spoken about the importance of consolidating national values through higher education as a way to combat extremism and protect societies.
Dr. Saad Al-Shathri, adviser to the Royal Court and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, said that consolidating national values was fundamental to protecting societies, speaking during a forum organized by Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Al-Kharj on Tuesday.
Al-Shathri said that building awareness began with reinforcing established principles in daily and institutional practices.
Naif Arab University for Security Sciences also held an international symposium on “Publishing and Security” in cooperation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Tuesday.
Participants in the two-day symposium warned that extremist ideologies found fertile ground when individuals’ connection to their cultural identity weakened, including their rich history, authentic social values, cultural heritage and positive traditions.
Dr. Ayad Al-Shammari, an independent researcher, highlighted “the Kingdom’s strategy to confront extremism professionally by promoting the values of moderation and tolerance and spreading awareness of the dangers of extremism.”
Al-Shammari stressed the importance of “strengthening cultural identity” to combat extremist ideas and hate speech in publishing.
Researchers said that Saudi Arabia had long-term strategies to counter extremism and hate speech by strengthening cultural identity through research initiatives and programs.
The symposium participants also recommended employing artificial intelligence positively in the publishing process to enhance cultural identity by making it available to researchers and research centers.
They also urged the development of a comprehensive national strategy for cultural publishing aimed at strengthening cultural identity, linking various government sectors so that traditional, digital, visual and audio publishing policies were integrated to serve the promotion of cultural identity and the prevention of extremism.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Muqbil, supervisor of the Intellectual Awareness Unit at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, told Arab News: “This meeting reflects a deep understanding of the current situation and a forward-looking vision for the future.”
Al-Muqbil said that intellectual security was no longer a supplementary option, but rather a national necessity and a fundamental pillar of comprehensive security.
This was especially relevant in light of contemporary challenges that targeted minds and undermined convictions, thus requiring vigilant awareness and a responsible, scholarly response, he added.
Al-Muqbil said that universities played a leading role in building individuals and fortifying minds through an integrated system that combined education, training and values development.
Building awareness was an institutional responsibility and an integrated effort, and the university’s Intellectual Awareness Unit was implementing programs that contributed to consolidating national values, he said.
Universities “build and fortify minds to protect the present and the future alike,” Al-Moqbil added.
On the sidelines of the forum, the university signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Intellectual Property Protection to enhance research and awareness cooperation.
This coincided with the university’s announcement of implementing 160 awareness programs that benefited more than 10,000 people this year.
