RIYADH, 20 November 2003 — Some 100 experts from all over the world will gather to examine the threat of terrorism and discuss the role of Islam in countering terrorism, extremism and violence at an international conference here next February.
The conference will be organized by Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University. It was prompted by the increasing number and ferocity of terrorist attacks in the Kingdom and worldwide, Dr. Abdullah ibn Nasser Al-Hamoud, the chairman of the media committee of the conference, told reporters yesterday.
“The importance of such a conference comes from the fact that the Kingdom has been recently a target of terrorism,” said Al-Hamoud, adding the Kingdom had a special importance in the Islamic world as it is the cradle of Islam and home of its two holiest mosques.
“With such a responsibility, it is imperative for the Kingdom to study the roots of terrorism and explain to everyone the role of Islam in countering terrorism and violence,” he added.
The conference aims to examine the roots of terrorism and extremism, review Islamic law regarding the recent attacks against the Kingdom and other countries, and better understand the main causes that give rise to terrorism and develop ways and strategies to counter it.
