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Yemeni youth tackle terror with non-violent campaign
un article par Bassam Ghabar for Common Ground News Service (abridged)
While counterterrorism efforts in Yemen generally
fall within the domain of the Yemeni security
forces, Yemeni youth have also joined in the
challenge to uproot terrorism in a peaceful and
effective manner. Since last December, a group of
young Yemenis has been waging a campaign in
schools against terrorism through an organisation
called Youth Creativity. The campaign aims to
deepen national allegiance and spread a culture of
tolerance and coexistence throughout the country.
click on photo to enlarge
Terrorist groups in Yemen have expanded their
operations during the past two years by taking
advantage of political events and the absence of
security since the youth revolution on 11 November
2011. The result has been widespread losses for
the country, including the deaths of civilians and
military personnel, as well as the takeover of
areas in the governorates of Abyan and Al-Baida'
in the south of the country.
In response to this situation, Youth Creativity has
provided an opportunity for Yemenis, regardless of
grouping or social class, to come together under a
banner of peace and unity.
Through the organisation, Yemeni youth from
different regions and political affiliations are
now working together to protect their society from
terrorism and establish a more secure country
together. To do so, these youth participated in an
awareness campaign to enhance the values of peace
and coexistence among school children while
simultaneously warning children against falling
prey to terrorist groups. Aware of the need to
protect this vulnerable age group in particular,
the youth believe this is a solid way to confront
the terrorist doctrine that has taken root in the
country.
Schools are fertile ground for creating a
generation that is aware of the peaceful
principles found in Islam, like respect for all
human life, the importance of accepting one
another regardless of political or religious
beliefs and the courage to stand up to those
endangering their homeland. The campaign seeks to
teach students about the true meaning of Islam by
explaining through religious texts exactly how it
promotes peace, instead of how terrorist groups
want young people to see it – as supportive of
violence and killing.
The campaign, in cooperation with the Yemeni
Ministry of Education, which encourages and
authorises Youth Creativity members to work in
schools, includes a number of activities. First,
Yemeni scholars and religious leaders speak with
students during the daily morning assembly about
the dangers of terrorist groups, giving examples
of the negative effects on both the individual and
the country.
In addition, the 120 members of the Youth
Creativity national team, youth who were given
special skills-training on counter terrorism by
Yemeni trainers, circulate through schools and
give classes for all levels. This team promotes
further awareness by distributing pamphlets and
screening videos about the dangers and destruction
caused by terrorism.
The campaign furthermore chooses educators from
each school, usually the physical education
teacher, the social counsellor and the librarian.
It then links these teachers with troubled
students in the schools who might be more
vulnerable to indoctrination by terrorist groups.
Teachers then share messages with these youth that
promote a culture of compassion and tolerance . .
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) liée(s) à cet article:
Nonviolence is at its best when violence is at its worst, Do you agree?
* * * * *
Commentaire le plus récent:
Bernard Lafayette, Director of the Center for Peace and Nonviolence at the University of Rhode Island shared with us the following observation, based on his years of working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his recent work in Colombia, helping to organize leadership teams in nonviolence:
"Nonviolence is at its best when violence is at its worst".
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