A new partnership is using social media in the UAE and the United States in a bid to fight back against the extremist ideology of ISIL.
The two governments have teamed up to launch an Instagram account through the Sawab Centre, a joint initiative to combat the spread of violent extremism online.
Photos and short videos to help amplify voices of moderation against Daesh will be published by the Sawab Centre on Instagram, targeting those aged 15-35 - the age group understood to be most vulnerable to radicalised ideology.
ISIL posts online propaganda promoting the organisation’s so-called ‘achievements’ by sensationalising terror acts conducted in Syria and Iraq and around the region and the world.
The Sawab Centre has enjoyed some success online in spreading positive messages since launching a credible and balanced approach towards extremism on Twitter in July this year.
A recent campaign focused on “National Pride”, highlighting the uniqueness and variety of Middle Eastern nations to encourage unity and help counteract radical thinking that hinders the progress and prosperity of nations. Other content posted online by the centre includes a mix of news, analysis and religious content.
Since its launch, campaign messages released via social media have attracted more than 420 million hits. The centre’s Twitter handle is @sawabcenter and it can be followed on Instagram at the Sawab Centre.
newsdesk@thenational.ae