On October 5, 2026, Mauritania's Ministry of Defense and Veterans' Affairs launched a training session titled "Training Academics and Teachers to Protect Youth from Extremist Ideology" in Nouakchott. The event was attended by senior officials, including Engineer Colonel Hassan Abdi, Director of Documentation and Military Security, and Dr. Yahya bin Muhammad Abumagais, head of the Preventive Programs Section in the Intellectual Field at the Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism.
The four-day training session, which runs from October 5 to 8, 2026, brings together 30 academics, teachers, and educators from various Mauritanian ministries, including Islamic Affairs, Education, and Higher Education. The program aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify early warning signs of extremist ideology and develop effective communication strategies with students and their families.
Engineer Colonel Hassan Abdi, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Defense, commended the Islamic Military Alliance's efforts to combat terrorism and emphasized the importance of such programs in protecting youth from extremist ideology. He highlighted the crucial role of academics, teachers, and educators in promoting values of moderation and tolerance.
The training session is part of the Islamic Military Alliance's programs targeting Sahel region countries. The alliance's representative, Dr. Yahya bin Muhammad Abumagais, expressed his organization's commitment to supporting Mauritania's efforts to prevent the spread of extremist ideology.
The program's objectives include providing participants with the skills to recognize early indicators of extremist ideology, develop effective communication strategies, and promote critical thinking and intellectual resilience among young people. The training session also aims to foster a culture of tolerance and moderation in Mauritanian society.
The event is being held at the Fask hotel in Nouakchott and features interactive sessions and discussions on topics such as extremist ideology, radicalization, and prevention strategies. Participants will also engage in group exercises and share best practices in promoting values of moderation and tolerance.
The Mauritanian government's efforts to prevent the spread of extremist ideology are part of a broader strategy to promote national security and stability. The training session is expected to contribute to these efforts by empowering academics, teachers, and educators to play a more effective role in protecting youth from extremist ideology.
Key points
- The training session aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify early warning signs of extremist ideology.
- The program targets academics, teachers, and educators from various Mauritanian ministries.
- The training session is part of the Islamic Military Alliance's programs targeting Sahel region countries.
