TRENDS Research & Advisory Hosts Scientific Dialogues At Ontario Parliament And Global Imams Council

A delegation from TRENDS Research & Advisory embarked on a research tour in Canada, starting with academic meetings in Toronto. The aim was to bolster research partnerships and enhance understanding of countering extremism and terrorism. The initial day included a dialogue at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, featuring notable figures such as the Honourable Sharmin A. Williams, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS.

During this session, discussions focused on the threats posed by the Muslim Brotherhood and its global influence. Emphasis was placed on increasing institutional awareness of the organisation's characteristics and fostering research collaboration to combat extremist narratives. This initiative aims to promote intellectual security within diverse societies.

The delegation also engaged with Dr. Leslie Dunn from the University of Ontario to explore collaborative opportunities in extremism studies and social transformation. They discussed potential joint projects aimed at enhancing expertise exchange and advancing scientific knowledge production.

In another significant meeting, the delegation visited the Global Imams Council (GIC) headquarters in Toronto. Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, Advisor on Counter-Extremism at TRENDS, highlighted the need for cooperation between religious and intellectual institutions to develop moderate discourse against extremism.

During a session at GIC, Dr. Al-Ali received the "Person of the Year" award for his scholarly contributions and global initiatives led by TRENDS to combat extremism. In his keynote speech, he stressed that knowledge is crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence and countering extremism effectively.

Dr. Al-Ali emphasised that addressing extremism requires strategic vision, comprehensive research, and international partnerships rather than temporary solutions. He noted that extremism has become a borderless digital phenomenon exploiting social media platforms.

Innovative Research Tools

To tackle these challenges, Dr. Al-Ali revealed that TRENDS is developing advanced research tools using artificial intelligence to detect threats early. A team of Canadian researchers is leading specialised projects focused on Canada to support long-term research partnerships.

Researcher Shamsa Aref Al-Qubaisi presented on the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia being developed by TRENDS as part of a long-term project. This encyclopedia aims to uncover hidden aspects of the group, particularly its covert militant wing known as the Special Apparatus.

Comprehensive Analysis

The encyclopedia seeks to establish an academic field providing decision-makers with an in-depth analysis of the group's nature and dangers. Senior researcher Badreia Helal Mubarak Saif Al-Reyami highlighted TRENDS’ Political Islam Department's development of the Muslim Brotherhood’s International Power Index.

This index serves as a comprehensive quantitative tool measuring the group's influence across various dimensions globally. It fills a critical knowledge gap by offering accurate assessments of the organisation's capabilities while providing early warning indicators for governments and security institutions.

The efforts by TRENDS Research & Advisory underscore their commitment to advancing knowledge-based solutions against extremism through strategic collaborations and innovative research tools.

With inputs from WAM