When we address the issue of the ideological and intellectual war against terrorism, we enter into the realm of media with its dimensions and vital role. What can the media offer in this context? What are the effective methods to achieve this? And who will be responsible for this critical task? These are the fundamental questions that arise in this context.
To answer the first question, “What can this media offer?” we must understand that this question lays the foundation for a comprehensive answer to the ideological and intellectual crisis that led to the emergence of religious terrorism. Terrorism is not merely the dominance of certain leaders or a misunderstanding of the religious ideas adopted by extremists. It is the product of a complete ideology based on foundations and rules that must be studied in depth. To effectively counter it, we must deconstruct it and build a comprehensive alternative ideology that aligns with the values of freedom, justice, and moderation.
This requires cooperation and joint efforts by various parties involved in combating terrorism, including governments, media institutions, scholars, and social activists. We must direct efforts towards presenting media messages and programs that highlight universal human values and promote peaceful coexistence and constructive dialogue.
Therefore, we must unite to present an alternative vision based on education, awareness, and dialogue, reflecting the values of freedom and tolerance and contributing to building a more peaceful and stable world. We believe in the power and the impact of visual media and how it can be effectively used to counter these extremist ideas. Looking at strategies to fight terrorism, we find that visual media could be one of the strongest tools that can be exploited.
Terrorists have relied on visual media to create terror and panic among people and to promote their extremist ideas. By exploiting this medium, they have managed to sow tension and hysteria around the world. Here comes the role of counter-media, which uses the same means to fight these harmful ideas. Visual media can be used to spread messages that promote peace and tolerance and encourage cultural understanding. Success stories of those who have overcome extremism and adopted positive life paths can be presented.
Moreover, the negative aspects of terrorist organizations can be highlighted, exposing their contradictions and discord with universal human values. This can help present a negative view of terrorism and shatter the ideological image these organizations try to spread. We must work on developing strong and effective counter-media that strategically uses visual means to counter extremist ideas and promote messages of peace, tolerance, and understanding in societies.
We have to collaborate with experts specialized in various fields. The challenge here is to present scientific and objective insights that refute extremist ideas and expose their real weaknesses. Those resisting extremist thought must be specialists in analyzing terrorist ideas precisely, to understand their roots and how they function. They must tackle this challenge in a scientific and strategic manner and be able to critically analyze documents and data related to terrorist organizations.
It is essential to assemble a multidisciplinary team, including experts in politics, religion, psychology, sociology, culture, and more. These experts will work together to develop strategies to counter extremist ideas and provide objective and well-considered insights.
On top of that, we must have a strong team of researchers and analysts who can study these ideas in depth and analyze them accurately. These researchers will dissect and analyze extremist ideas from within, revealing weaknesses and contradictions that contribute to dismantling their foundations. With this multidisciplinary team, we will be able to effectively combat extremist thought and provide strong and objective insights that contribute to changing harmful ideas and perceptions.
Free Mind TV comes as a platform for rationality and independent thought in the face of extremism and rigid ideas. It is the result of a gathering of experts and secular activists from diverse backgrounds, who began their lives as Muslim clerics, both Shia and Sunni, but made a bold decision to move towards rationality and independent thinking.
The name Free Mind TV implies a clear purpose and goal: to liberate minds from the traditions and fundamentalism promoted by terrorist groups. The channel considers terrorist thought to be nothing more than a manifestation of blind tradition and immersion in old ideas.
To overcome the influence of Salafism and terrorist calls, the channel believes that the only solution is for individuals to liberate their minds and seek rationality and independent thinking. This is the main goal of Free Mind TV, which aims to provide programs and content that promote free thinking and give viewers the opportunity to explore a new horizon of independent ideas and knowledge.
Free Mind TV strives to provide a safe and open environment for discussion and free thinking, where individuals can express their opinions without fear of restrictions or intolerance. This can contribute to changing harmful ideas and attitudes and encourage the development of the mind and thought.
With simple and limited means, these activists managed to build the Free Mind TV channel. They opened the doors for dialogue and discussion with a diverse group of people, ranging from Muslim and Christian clerics to secular and liberal writers and prominent bloggers. They discussed sensitive issues that many are hesitant to address, especially in the Middle East.
Within less than three months of launching the channel, they succeeded in attracting the attention of international media and also aroused
the interest of supporters of rigid fundamentalist thought. These latter issued an incendiary fatwa to stir up trouble and undermine the foundations of the channel. However, these attacks did not deter the channel’s team from continuing strongly in their approach and style, aimed at spreading secular thought and the culture of peace, love, coexistence, and acceptance of the other.
Free Mind TV reflects the determination of these activists to achieve their vision of promoting secular thought and enhancing dialogue and understanding among different groups in society. They consider this the path to building more open, accepting, and tolerant societies.
The means of intellectual warfare offered by Free Mind TV include a diverse range of important aspects for combating terrorism and promoting understanding and tolerance in societies:
1- Discussing the educational and pedagogical situation in Middle Eastern countries:
We believe that it is essential to liberate our children from the influences of distorted cultural heritage, which may contribute to promoting extremism and violence. Therefore, we think it is necessary to eliminate Islamic education subjects from the curricula at all non-specialized stages. The presence of these subjects in educational curricula has contributed to increasing extremism in societies, as they may present inhumane and distorted historical images.
We aim to change this situation through open and constructive discussion on this topic. We want to enhance our education and upbringing with ideas that promote dialogue, understanding, and tolerance among individuals and different cultures. Achieving this goal requires a radical reform in the educational and pedagogical curricula in the region, and Free Mind TV is committed to participating in this effort by discussing this vital issue and highlighting its importance.
2- Discussing the concept of Jihad in Islam.
We recognize the importance of this concept in extremist thought, where extremist thinking heavily relies on its interpretations and legal rulings to justify its violent acts. The concept of Jihad is an important part of Islamic sharia and deals with general matters and subsidiary rulings.
We deeply study and analyze these topics, especially the concept of Jihad, and seek to find solutions to these matters in extremist thought. Through Free Mind TV, we provide a platform for thinkers and writers who can offer secularist opinions to dismantle the Islamic thought. We strive to present a balanced middle east, away from extremist fundamentalists.
3- Promoting secular visions of political life and public life in the state.
We believe in the importance of separating religion from the state and raise the issue of the need to achieve a balance between the government, the constitution, and the country’s law so that they treat all citizens equally, regardless of their beliefs and religions. We oppose discrimination against any segment of society and strive not to criminalize freedom of expression, press freedom, and freedom of belief.
We spread awareness about the importance of achieving this balance and work to promote the concept of secularism and modern citizenship in the state. We call for the criminalization of extremist and takfiri speeches that threaten cultural and national diversity in society and seek to promote values of tolerance, coexistence, and respect for human rights in all aspects of life.
4- Presenting the principle of citizenship as a supreme value:
We advocate for the restoration and celebration of the Middle East’s profound civilizational heritage, including the Pharaonic, Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Akkadian civilizations, and by revitalizing the heritage of peoples and minorities that have faded or diminished under the amalgamated culture introduced through Islamic history. The principle of governance and internationalism in Islam in addition to the intense preoccupation with the legacy of Islamic conflict, particularly the significant rift between Sunni and Shia sects, has led many communities within the region to become disconnected from their rich civilizational, heritage, and historical roots. Reconnecting with these ancient legacies offers a pathway to reclaiming a sense of identity and continuity that transcends contemporary divisions, enriching the cultural fabric of the Middle East with its diverse and ancient histories.
When an individual desecrates the flag of their nation, they are not just attacking a symbol; they are rejecting the entirety of their country’s historical values and heritage. This act signifies a shift in loyalty towards groups or ideologies that are disconnected from—and often hostile to—the cultural and historical legacy of their homeland. This disregard for national identity and heritage was vividly demonstrated by ISIS through their destruction of invaluable artifacts in Mosul’s museums and the ancient ruins of Palmyra, as well as their murder of Dr. Khaled al-Asaad, a renowned scholar dedicated to preserving Syria’s rich historical legacy. Such acts are a direct assault on the collective memory and civilization that the flag and these cultural treasures represent.
5- Presenting an alternative civilizational model:
At Free Mind TV, we strive to present an alternative civilizational model based on the culture of coexistence and mutual respect among people, away from the culture of violence and extremism that has prevailed in some parts of the Middle East and North Africa. We believe that this alternative culture can be the solution to the conflicts and tensions the region suffers from.
Through our programs and activities, we present successful models of secular experiences in advanced countries such as Europe, the United States, and Canada, where people can see how coexistence and mutual respect can be the basis for prosperous and stable societies.
We host many successful personalities and human models from the United States and other countries, who share their personal and social experiences that highlight the beautiful human values of the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa.
We believe that solutions to the region’s problems must come from within, so we gather activists, intellectuals, and thinkers from different countries to think and work together towards building a better future for the region. We believe that free thought and secular thinking can be the perfect platform for positive change in the Middle East and North Africa, and this is what we strive to achieve through Free Mind TV.
