JEDDAH — A charitable organization is raising awareness on extremist religious ideologies by organizing scientific and Islamic workshops in cooperation with the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia), Al-Hayat newspaper reported. The events of the Arab Spring has led to a number of terrorist organizations and extremist ideologies developing throughout the Arab world and Gulf region. In an effort to protect young Saudis from terrorist organizations, the Khayrukum Qur'an Memorization Society organized workshops and seminars for its Qur'an teachers, said a source from the organization. The workshops aimed to provide a moderate curriculum that would enable its teachers to deal with contemporary Islamic ideologies. The workshops were first held in Sharq Jeddah Center then in other locations. More than 50 teachers in Jeddah participated. The workshops and sessions lasted two days and speakers from various associations presented. The center's Higher Studies and Scientific Research Deputy Yousuf Al-Ghamdi presented a lecture on the teacher's role in dealing with contemporary intellectual challenges. The workshops tackled topics such as the definition of sects and contemporary ideologies. Khayrukum head Ibrahim Al-Khamis said: “The association views its students as the results of its teachers' efforts. In order to educate our students on extremist and terrorist ideologies we must educate our teachers first. “The workshops are both theoretical and practical and based on scientific research. “They aim to arm the attendees with the right skills to keep up with scientific and technological advancements and help them recognize and deal with terrorist organizations. We will be offering the workshops in several centers belonging to the association.” Head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said in his sermons that domestic violence is one of the factors encouraging extremist ideologies among youth. He also emphasized the role of education in raising awareness among children and the danger the media poses if not monitored. He added that the responsibility of education does not fall solely on schools but also the parents.
