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 In
the decade since 2001 we have seen nationals from
dozens of countries drawn towards violent extremism
including our own. What this has made clear is
that religion, race, political system or economic
background neither predispose individuals to carrying
out acts of terror nor preclude them from doing
so. Today, all countries share the concern that
their citizens could become either the victims
or the perpetrators of acts of terror.
In the aftermath of 9/11 the international community
came together under the principle that terrorism
strikes at the heart of everything that we stand
for. Countries of this region joined those of
Asia, Africa, Europe, Australasia and the Americas
in the recognition that a truly concerted international
effort was required to combat terrorism in all
its manifestations.
In 2001 the UAE joined this global effort by
being one of some 60 countries involved in the
international operation in Afghanistan. The UAE's
contribution was multifaceted: providing military
assets on the ground to promote peace and security,
but also extensive aid and educational projects
to assist the emergence of the Afghan people from
decades of war and insecurity.
In this effort, the UAE stood alongside a number
of Arab and Muslim nations demonstrating to the
world that this was not a conflict between religions
or civilisations, but an international effort
united behind a humanitarian and political cause:
to defeat violent extremism in all forms and under
any ideological banner.
Global mission: A decade into the 21st century,
it is imperative that we continue our comprehensive
global mission to eradicate terrorism and violent
extremism in the world. These effective counter-terrorism
strategies must begin with robust security measures,
effective information sharing to break up terrorist
groups and prevent their operations, and the full
use of relevant international legal conventions
and instruments. But as members of the international
community, a global response to counter the conditions
conducive to terrorism will require even more.
First, the alleviation of global poverty must
remain a priority. Individuals deprived of livelihoods
and hope cannot become stakeholders in their societies.
For its part, the UAE has delivered a vast programme
of international aid assistance to improve economic
conditions for populations in need contributing
more than Dh34 billion in development projects
to a range of countries worldwide in the decade
since 2001. This year alone the UAE has made significant
contributions to emergency relief programmes targeting
affected populations in vulnerable areas such
as Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and in sub-Saharan
Africa.
But economic development alone will not secure
the world from the threat of terrorism. The second
core area must be our international political
effort to further the principles of justice and
international law, and enshrine respect for human
rights. In doing so, we will remove grievances
that are skilfully exploited by terrorists, further
demonstrating the emptiness of their violent ideologies.
The UAE has therefore been consistent in its
call for an equitable and comprehensive peace
for the Palestinian people, in the belief that
a lasting solution would be game-changing in undermining
the rhetoric of global terrorism, particularly
in our region where the issue is used as a rallying
cry for terrorist recruitment.
Similarly, the UAE has consistently opposed efforts
to divide people on the basis of religion or sect.
We have actively supported national unity and
sovereignty from Iraq to Yemen. During the events
of the ‘Arab Spring' the UAE has been consistent
in its support of peaceful engagement and constructive
dialogue as the means towards progressive change.
And in Libya, the UAE supported international
efforts against the Gaddafi regime on the humanitarian
premise that governments must protect and serve
their citizens in order to legitimately govern.
At the centre of the international community's
counter-terrorism strategy we must present an
alternative vision for the future: one that supports
a culture of peace and tolerance. The UAE works
in support of these values at home. We abide by
a framework that is Islamic and open to and respectful
of other religions. We believe that it is right
that we as Muslims are the first and most vociferous
in condemning the violent acts and extremist ideology
of terrorists who try to misuse our faith for
their horrific and irreligious ends.
Opening doors Education is at the heart of this
vision, and the active advance of inter-cultural
understanding will be required by all sides. In
the UAE, for example, by 2014, we will have opened
the doors to local branches of the Louvre, the
Guggenheim, New York University and the Sorbonne.
Such increases in exchanges between cultures could
be the UAE's most enduring response to the vision
propagated by extremists and their followers.
Nevertheless, even as we look ahead today at
how to meet the challenges of the future, our
thoughts must remain with the victims of the attacks
one decade ago, and with their families. This
time for solemn reflection presents an opportunity
for states to renew their mission to eradicate
terrorism in all its forms. Each of us must bravely
and resolutely, in our own corners of the world,
face our demons as nations, peoples, and individuals
in order to overcome the challenges that still
lie ahead.
There is no better way to honour the victims
of 9/11 than by spreading this message of hope.
As the world is once more united today in remembrance,
we should remain confident that our shared vision
of a peaceful future will prevail.
(Emirates News Agency,
WAM)
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