Saudis Launch Campaign Against "Deviant Ideologies"

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) The Saudis believe they have the right stuff to de-program terrorists. A terrorist prevention campaign has been launched.

Preachers and experts involved in reforming individuals arrested on terror- related charges will participate in the program, Al-Madinah newspaper reported. Counselors will focus on the dangers of adopting extremist ideologies and explain mainstream religious views.

Stressing the need for preventive counseling, Majed Al-Mersal, a leading religious scholar and counselor, said, “Preventive counseling is required to fortify all sections of society against the spread of extremist ideologies, and uncovering their falseness and lies, besides removing doubts created by them.”

Al-Mersal denied that the program would be a mere venue for a series of speeches. “Comprehensive programs that cut at the root of extremist ideologies are planned for those who have been confused by misleading information and who are swayed by their emotions.

Participants will be given an insight into the experiences of reformed terrorists and how they were misled,” he added.

From working with inmates in jails, Al-Mersal found most people acknowledged that they were misled.

Here's hoping that the Saudi initiative works. Unfortunately, the basis may be somewhat non-representative since the pilot project involving people in jails likely isn't a good indicator of success with the general terrorist population. Prisoners will say anything to be freed.