The Role of the Family and the Media in Combating Extremist Ideology

AMMAN, JORDAN: The Strong Cities Network in Jordan, and in collaboration with the implementing partner, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, held its fifth  “Diwaneyeh”, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, titled: “The Role of the Family and the Media In Combating Extremist Ideology” as part of the network’s newly launched series of panel discussions: “Diwaneyat” Initiative.

Guest speakers discussed a number of topics, including, but not limited to, the role the family unit plays in detecting early signs of radicalization and rejecting hate speech and violence in all of its shapes and forms, in addition to the importance of the role responsible media outlets play in preventing violent extremism.
The dialogue started with an introduction about the Strong Cities Network in Jordan, the scope of its work in addition to a brief on the West Asia and North Africa Institute, presented by Alaa Mufleh, Manager of the Strong Cities Network. The Introduction was followed with a summary of the Irbid Network and the work of the Greater Irbid Municipality in combating extremist thought presented by Mr. Ismail Al-Hawari, Strong Cities Network’s Focal Point at Irbid’s Greater Municipality, and the Director of the Cultural Department at the Municipality.
The discussion was facilitated by Mrs. Noha al-Momani,  member of Irbid’s Community Prevention Network, and a Preacher and Family Counselor currently working with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

Guests included, her Excellency, Dr. Nawal Al-Faouri, a permanent member of the Jordanian Senate and the Founder of Dar Al-Wefaq at the Ministry of Social Development, who spoke about the role of the family unit in building responsible citizens who are self-aware, and politically, culturally, and socially responsible, in addition to focusing on the issue of violence and how it contributes to the formation of extremist thought among different groups.

The Diwaneyeh’s second guest was Dr. Khalaf al-Tahat, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Yarmouk University and the Head of the Journalists Union in the Northern Region, who spoke about the role media plays in spreading and combating hate speech, as well as the transition from traditional media outlets t the current landscape. 

The Diwaneyat initiative -a joint initiative by the Strong Cities Network in Jordan and the West Asia - North Africa Institute- is a series of seminars through which we aim to facilitate systematic sharing of knowledge, expertise and lessons learned on building social cohesion and community resilience to prevent violent extremism.  It should be noted that the Strong Cities Network, which is led by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and funded by the Dutch government, is the first ever global network of mayors, municipal-level policy makers and practitioners united in building social cohesion and community resilience to counter violent extremism in all its forms. In Jordan, the project is currently being implemented by the WANA Institute, which is a non-profit policy think tank based in Amman, Jordan, and chaired by His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal.

For inquiries about the Strong Cities Network in Jordan and to discuss ways to get involved, please contact SCN project Manager in Jordan, Ms. Alaa Mufleh at: Alaa.Mufleh@WANA.JO.