Jordan is poised to implement a comprehensive new project to counter extremism, the Jordan Times reported Sunday (August 14th).
The project, supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Japan, will include the development of a strategy as well as the institutional capacity to prevent extremism, according to UNDP country representative Zeina Ali Ahmad.
Ahmad said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the Counter Extremism Department, under the auspices of the Jordanian Ministry of Culture.
UNDP will provide the expertise for the "Preventing Violent Extremism” project, Ahmad said, adding that the strategy, slated to be completed by the end of the year, will focus on combating extremism socially and economically.
UNDP will sign an agreement with the Ministry for Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to develop religious discourse to highlight the true image of Islam, she added.
The ministry will develop a curriculum and train preachers across the kingdom, she said.
Meanwhile, UNDP will support the development of an online platform through which anyone can ask the Ifta department questions anonymously, Ahmad said.
A media campaign will be developed to counter extremism, and community based organisations also will play a key role, she said, adding that the campaign will initially target young people.
