The Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya Wishes to Collaborate with ECOWAS in the Fields of Security and Governance

With the implementation of regional counter terrorism measures and the need to engage other non-kinetic methods in the fight against violent extremism, the Jam’Iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya, an Islamic Organisation with a global network, is seeking to collaborate with ECOWAS on the organisation of a regional conference on security and governance.

The organisation wants to partner with the ECOWAS Commission for an impactful hosting of a West African Islamic Conference on security and governance in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Conferring with the ECOWAS  Commission’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, on the 10^th of July, 2024, in Abuja, the Director-General of Ansarideen Global Resources Foundation, Dr. Sayyidi Muhammad Yahaya, stated that the proposed conference has become necessary following the realisation that the persistence of terrorism and violent extremism in the region is partly tied to the availability of vulnerable youth for continuous recruitment by people with criminal and nefarious intentions.

Harping on the need to bridge the gap between western and Islamic education, Dr. Sayyidi Muhammad Yahaya emphasized the importance of addressing the central challenge of terrorism and violent extremism, which he identified to include “misquoting of the Quran and the misrepresentation of Islam.”

Reflecting on the theme of the planned regional conference – The role of Islamic Organisations in countering terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, he noted that it was not only important to develop empowerment programmes but to also have a model for countering terrorism and de-radicalisation of affected people in the region, by bringing influential stakeholders together to chart a new path, a new conversation and a new future of peaceful coexistence in the region.

Responding, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah restated ECOWAS’ commitment to peace and security. Recognising the need to deal responsibly with the youth who constitute about 65 percent of the population of the region, he noted that terrorism and violent extremism are symptoms of a global malaise that has now seen the Sahel becoming an epicentre of the canker. Stressing that the West African region is on a time bomb if the agency of the youth cannot be tapped for peace and stability, he pledged the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with Jam’Iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya in the organisation of the regional conference.

Both sides decided to designate focal points for the conference and for facilitating subsequent interactions.