The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawah and Guidance is monitoring the activities of preachers, imams, and officials on social networking sites in order to weed out extremist elements.

According to a top official, Tawfiq Al-Sudairi, the ministry has worked with a number of scholars and students in order to raise awareness regarding misguided messages by deviants and misguided people on social networking sites.

Al-Sudairi said the ministry’s efforts have led to the launch of several projects, including an advocacy seminar, with a view to developing a common approach toward such issues.

The ministry is also extending its advocacy work to the Internet as a platform to challenge the spread of extremism.

The ministry recently launched a campaign called “Al-Sakeena,” which relies on a team of experts from various backgrounds to spread and discuss moderate Islamic principles via online forums, chats, social networking sites, and personal interactions. The focus, Al-Sudairi explained, is to provide a moderate approach based on the background of the target audience.

Another new project, named “Tech-Mosque,” aims to broadcast awareness messages about legitimacy and real Islam to worshipers, as well as to spread official announcements about lectures or lessons from senior scholars that have been authorized to preach.

The talks focus on different topics, such as worshiping, morality and dialogue. Through these broadcasts, the talks delve into different subjects that are of interest to the community and foster a spirit of nationalism and religious cohesion.