The Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) has referred to as for the modernisation of conventional Islamic colleges to sort out the surging scourge of terrorism and violent extremism throughout the sub-region.
President of the ECOWAS Fee, Omar Touray, made the enchantment on Thursday in Abuja on the West African Islamic Convention on Safety and Governance.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) studies that the convention was themed: The Position of Islamic Organisations in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.
In keeping with him, modernising and defending the colleges, college students and lecturers will finish road begging phenomenon, youngster abuse and kids’s vulnerability to radicalisation and recruitment by extremist and terrorist teams.
“The state of affairs of the standard Qur’anic colleges is the main target of our preventive motion towards radicalisation and violent extremism on this convention.
“We have to enhance and modernise this faculty system and convert them into conducive and formalised centres of studying and financial empowerment.
“These colleges accommodate thousands and thousands of younger folks within the area, however they’re largely uncared for as casual establishments, making each the lecturers and their college students susceptible to recruitment by felony organisations, together with terrorist teams,” he mentioned.
Touray famous that terrorism and violent extremism have taken root throughout the sub-region, and urged all stakeholders to work each to stop extremism and sort out terrorism, wherever it happens.
He disclosed that terrorism and violent extremism have exerted an enormous toll on the socio-economic wellbeing of West Africa and the Sahel, which have grow to be the frontline of the worldwide combat towards terrorism.
He additional disclosed that the 2025 International Terrorism Index (GTI) Report reveals a major shift in international terrorism patterns, with Africa rising as the brand new hub of terrorist actions.
“Though prevention is best than treatment, we’re at a stage the place we should work each to stop extremism and sort out terrorism wherever it happens.
“In a area with a youthful inhabitants, you will need to take note of the state of affairs of those youths and channel their energies to constructive actions,” he mentioned.
He mentioned that the convention aligned with ECOWAS’ Motion Plan In opposition to Terrorism, which is a regional non-kinetic initiative that gives roles for a number of actors from each state and non-state establishments.
“For us in ECOWAS, we have now emphasised the applying of a carrot and stick strategy, or non-kinetic and kinetic methods in tackling the menace.
“We’re subsequently happy to see that the custodians of those conventional Qur’anic colleges have come ahead to take the lead of their modernisation throughout West Africa and the Sahel.
“In supporting the initiatives of our spiritual organisations, we’re additionally complementing the efforts of our nationwide governments,” Touray mentioned.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, mentioned the convention was not the tip, however the starting, including that it was a step in direction of a brand new period of cooperation and collaboration in West Africa and the South.
He urged stakeholders to stay dedicated to their shared targets, and work collectively to create a area of peace, stability, and prosperity for all, and never grow to be divided.
“Allow us to try to create a area the place each particular person can reside in peace, safety, and dignity. Allow us to work collectively to construct a brighter future for our youngsters and our neighborhood,” he mentioned.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union’s Excessive Consultant for ‘Silencing the Weapons’, disclosed that over 40 million West and Central African kids have been at the moment out of college, and terrorism-related deaths had elevated by 10 per cent lately.
He mentioned that principal goal of the convention was to develop and implement an motion plan on the function of Islamic organisations in countering terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel via non-kinetic methods.
Chambas, a former ECOWAS Fee President, was represented by Amb. Abdel-Fatah Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Safety, who learn the convention’s communique.
“Allow us to work collectively to implement the suggestions and techniques outlined on this declaration. Allow us to empower Islamic organisations to advertise a tradition of peace, tolerance, and coexistence,” he mentioned.
Members on the convention, which was organised by the the Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijjaniyya, in collaboration with ECOWAS, included representatives from the African Union, companies of the United Nations, corresponding to UNICEF and UNESCO, and the Interpol, amongst others.
