“The Dangers of Extremism and Ways to Promote Community Peace” Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings, Today, we gather to discuss an issue that represents a serious danger and a profound challenge to our security and stability—namely, the threat of extremism, which has become one of the greatest obstacles to the progress and advancement of societies. Extremism, in all its forms, is nothing but a deviation from sound human nature and a denial of the values of tolerance upon which the greatest human civilizations were built. First: Extremism as an Enemy of Development Societies that are infiltrated by extremist thought live in a state of continuous exhaustion. Instead of directing energies toward innovation and construction, efforts are wasted in narrow intellectual conflicts, leading to: • The erosion of trust among the components of a single society. • The creation of an environment that drives away talents and creative minds. • The disruption of economic progress due to the absence of stability and security. Second: The Danger of Exclusion and Hatred The most dangerous outcome of extremism is the spread of a “culture of exclusion,” where the extremist believes they possess the absolute truth, while others are seen as wrong and unworthy of acceptance. This mindset is the primary source of all forms of violence and fragmentation witnessed in some societies today. Third: Our Shared Responsibility Confronting extremism is not the responsibility of one party alone; rather, it is a duty entrusted to each and every one of us: • The family: as the first line of defense in protecting children from deviant ideas. • Educational institutions: by instilling the values of constructive criticism and acceptance of differences. • Media and cultural platforms: through promoting the language of moderation and balance. Conclusion The progress of a nation is not measured by the extent to which its people agree on a single opinion, but by their ability to manage differences with civility and respect. Let us all stand against hatred, make tolerance a covenant that unites us, and dialogue a bridge that leads us toward a brighter future. Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings, Prof. Dr. Raad Shaker Abais