11-27-2017, 10:57 AM
I hope this alliance succeeds if the goal is really to eradicate radical extremism rather than to formally align all the majority Sunni countries (80% of the Middle East) against the majority Shiite countries (Iran, Iraq, Bahrain) and further restrict religious freedom.
![[Image: 46B53E2700000578-5118615-image-a-1_1511775793473.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/27/09/46B53E2700000578-5118615-image-a-1_1511775793473.jpg)
^ Top defense officials from 40 Muslim-majority nation’s met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday. They are part of an alliance gathered together two years ago by Prince Mohammed, who is also Saudi defense minister.
The crown prince has said he would encourage a more moderate and tolerant version of Islam in the ultra-conservative kingdom. The group of Muslim nations, called the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, has yet to take any decisive action.
Prince Mohamed told delegates that Friday’s attack in Egypt “was a very painful occurrence and must make us contemplate in an international and powerful way the role of this terrorism and extremism”.
Officials say the group would allow members to request or offer assistance to each other to fight militants. This could include military help, financial aid, equipment or security expertise. The group, which will have a permanent base in Riyadh, would also help combat terrorist financing and ideology.
“The biggest threat from terrorism and extremism is not only killing innocent people and spreading hate, but tarnishing the reputation of our religion and distorting our belief,” he said.
(continued)
^ Top defense officials from 40 Muslim-majority nation’s met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday. They are part of an alliance gathered together two years ago by Prince Mohammed, who is also Saudi defense minister.
The crown prince has said he would encourage a more moderate and tolerant version of Islam in the ultra-conservative kingdom. The group of Muslim nations, called the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, has yet to take any decisive action.
Prince Mohamed told delegates that Friday’s attack in Egypt “was a very painful occurrence and must make us contemplate in an international and powerful way the role of this terrorism and extremism”.
Officials say the group would allow members to request or offer assistance to each other to fight militants. This could include military help, financial aid, equipment or security expertise. The group, which will have a permanent base in Riyadh, would also help combat terrorist financing and ideology.
“The biggest threat from terrorism and extremism is not only killing innocent people and spreading hate, but tarnishing the reputation of our religion and distorting our belief,” he said.
(continued)