As part of the series of programs and presentations organized by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), IMCTC held a symposium on “The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Spreading Extremism and Terrorism and Counter Measures” on Wednesday, 3 February 2021, at its headquarters in Riyadh. The presentation was delivered by Brig. Gen. Rashid bin Mohammed Al-Dhaheri, Delegate of the United Arab Emirates to IMCTC, and Brig. Gen. Tawfeeq Mufleh Al-Bataineh, Delegate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to IMCTC and moderated by Brig. Gen. Dr. Mustafa Ibrahim Suwaisi, Delegate of Libya to IMCTC, under the patronage of IMCTC Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed Bin Saeed Al-Moghedi and in the presence of IMCTC member countries’ delegates and IMCTC personnel.
Brig. Gen. Al-Bataineh indicated that the ease and low cost of using information network have provided terrorists with an opportunity to reach their targets without the need for significant sources of financing. He also stressed that cyberspace had become a theater of war, as the world is facing a real challenge in preventing, containing or neutralizing the effectiveness of those organizations and limiting their ability to reach their targets through cyberspace.
On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Al-Dhaheri referred to the necessity of coordinating all potential forms of international counterterrorism efforts, noting the important role played by IMCTC member countries to deter the scourge of terrorism, particularly communication and information-based terrorism.
Brig. Gen. Suwaisi concluded the symposium and stated that efforts should be made to promote a culture of prevention, raise society's awareness of terrorism risks in general and cyberterrorism in particular, and address terrorism through renouncing hatred, violence and exclusion and promoting tolerance, dialog with others and respect for different and diverse religions and cultures.
