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MOSTAR, June 18 (FENA) - The OSCE Mission to BiH views violent extremism as a wider social problem, and as one of the most important activities on this issue is raising awareness of local actors, it was highlighted today at a workshop held in Mostar on "Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism at the Local Level".
Selma Zeković, Project Leader in the OSCE Mission’s project ‘Fight against Violent Extremism’, said that one of the most important activities is raising awareness and involvement of local actors, not only from the security agencies, but also from social work centers , mental health centers and various organizations, including the media.
“We see violent extremism as a wider social problem. Today, we have a chance to hear in the media about the religion-inspired violent extremism, but this is not the only violent extremism we have in our society,” said Zeković.
She added that they are also working on the fight against hate crimes, as well as on the prevention of such phenomena.
Specifically, when talking about violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, it is very important to raise awareness of local actors and train them and give them resources both material and in personnel, in order to deal with prevention and early intervention,” explained Zeković.
She stressed that adolescents are some of the vulnerable groups and that, in that sense, work with youth is extremely important through the education system.
She assessed that young people are highly vulnerable as a result of high unemployment rate among this population, and the fact that the education system in BiH is vulnerable to segregation.
Speaking on the topic of extremist ideologies, Hišam effendi Hafizović, Imam of Blagaj Jamaat, said that extremism has characteristics of simplification that is, simplifying of everything and anything, such as a view of life, a view of reality that surrounds you.
“Extremism has nothing to do with faith. Faith requires studious approach to everything, while extremism simplifies things and puts them in the context of black and white,” said effendi Hafizović.
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(FENA) S. R.
