The training course and workshop titled “Addressing Radicalisation in the Educational Environment” commenced today in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Organised by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) as part of its Ideology initiative, the programme seeks to promote a culture of moderation within educational communities. It has drawn participation from a wide range of academics, teachers, and education professionals.

The opening ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Dr Aishath Shehenaz, Vice Chancellor of the Maldives National University, and His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of State for Education, along with a number of educational and military leaders.

In her address, Dr Shehenaz expressed her appreciation to IMCTC for its continued efforts in promoting the values of moderation and raising awareness about the dangers of radicalisation. She underscored the importance of supporting educators in fostering a sound understanding of Islam among children and youth.

Over the coming days, the course and workshop will explore several key themes to strengthen the capacity of teachers and administrators in preventing extremism within schools. These include the factors contributing to radicalisation, manifestations of extremism in educational settings, the roles of educational stakeholders in addressing such issues, and methods of early intervention.

This programme forms part of IMCTC’s ongoing efforts in the Maldives under its “Prevention” initiative, which aims to enhance intellectual awareness among teachers and students, reinforce the resilience of educational institutions against extremism, and promote values of moderation. The initiative also supports IMCTC’s broader objectives across its four counterterrorism domains: Ideology, Communications, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Military.