Today's Edition
By: Mohammed Al-Ali*
Think tanks work hand in hand with governments and their various institutions to achieve a vital goal that is directly tied to security and stability at the national, regional, and global levels: the fight against extremism and terrorism. Within this effort, think tanks serve as the intellectual core that analyses data, draws evidence-based conclusions, devises present-day scenarios, and anticipates future developments.
They do so by drawing on a deep understanding of both recent and distant past experiences, especially as they connect theoretical and practical approaches to uncover the roots of the phenomena. In addition, think tanks gather academic and scientific insights to support counter-extremism initiatives and raise public awareness about the dangers of extremist groups.
This is particularly vital when certain tactics, which may not initially appear extremist, are in fact rooted in violent ideologies. Behind such tactics lie groups and organisations that exploit existing conditions to recruit more extremists and terrorists, viewing societies merely as pools from which to draw the tools needed to implement their destructive plans.
TRENDS Research & Advisory has consistently shared insights with academics and policymakers worldwide on a range of international issues, especially in the fight against extremism and terrorism. Its most recent initiative took place in the UK, right in the historic House of Lords, where TRENDS organised a symposium titled "Strengthening the Middle East-UK Partnership in Countering Extremism and Promoting Prosperity".
The event brought together several members of the House of Lords and leading UK counterterrorism experts to outline the best strategies for tackling extremism and fostering tolerance across different cultures and religions globally.
The discussions centred on the Muslim Brotherhood, given the serious threat it poses as the parent organisation for many of the world's terrorist groups. Participants highlighted the dangers the Muslim Brotherhood represents in any society where it operates and underscored the importance of designating the group as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Extremist groups and organisations, including most notably the Muslim Brotherhood, have long sought to cultivate an alternative identity for their followers. Under this framework, individuals develop a sense of emotional isolation that distances them from their societies, making them more inclined to reject societal values and threaten public security and stability.
Some European countries have increased surveillance of extremist groups, but the efforts are fragmented rather than a coordinated initiative. Moreover, the ideology underpinning these extremist groups has not been subjected to the depth of study or comprehensive analysis it requires.
At TRENDS Research & Advisory, we have taken on the responsibility of deconstructing the rhetoric employed by extremist outlets to expose the ideology driving these movements. We accomplish this through in-depth research as well as through engagement, interaction, and knowledge sharing by hosting broad intellectual dialogues aimed at understanding the roots of extremism that lead to violence.
Our goal is to find ways to shield societies from destructive extremist ideas and groups. Given that the Muslim Brotherhood serves as the primary ideological umbrella, and indeed the foundational root, for many other extremist organisations, TRENDS refutes its ideology and arguments through a variety of research publications, most notably the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia.
We furthered our efforts by engaging with lawmakers in key parliaments to expose the true nature of the Muslim Brotherhood and to raise policymakers' awareness of the group's risks, particularly in a country like the UK, where it remains active. This led to the recent symposium, which featured highly constructive discussions. The remarks from British lawmakers and counter-terrorism experts demonstrated a genuine understanding of the breadth and danger posed by the Muslim Brotherhood's agenda in the UK and the West as a whole.
By examining and understanding the Muslim Brotherhood's methods and operations, it becomes evident that it is highly dangerous to allow the group to continue its activities and develop complex networks across Europe without fully assessing the influence of its discourse. Islamist extremism cannot be understood without a deep dive into the Muslim Brotherhood's intellectual foundations and the ideological links later adopted by other terrorist organisations, such as Al Qaeda and ISIS. This reality calls for redefining terrorism to encompass not only those who commit violence but also those who theorise it and justify its use.
In our view, Islamism is rooted in a foundational violence that deems society to be in a state of ignorance and views Muslims who hold differing views as infidels, before it even does the same to non-Muslims. As such, it is a takfiri ideology that underpins terrorist thought. To counter this threat, we must continue to trace its ideological development using practical approaches and foster dialogue between Western and Arab think-tanks.
It is also crucial to investigate the sources of funding for these groups and for governments to adopt more robust measures to curb both theoretical and actual violence, given its grave impact on societies and states. One such measure is designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, in line with decisions already taken by certain European and Arab countries. Such a designation would effectively limit the group's activities and prevent it from benefiting from public funding or operating under the guise of a European charitable organisation.
*The writer is the CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory
