Dakar:The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) has launched the 'Peace Journalists' initiative at the King Fahd Conference Center. The event in Senegal's capital was attended by various dignitaries, including Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces Yankhoba Di©m©, IMCTC Secretary General Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, Vice Admiral Oumar Wade, and other civilian and military officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and media professionals.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the initiative aims to train journalists and media professionals to enhance their ability to cover terrorism and extremism issues, verify information, and counter rumors and hate speech. It gathers participants from various media outlets, fostering expertise exchange among professionals at different levels.

During the launch, the Senegalese armed forces minister emphasized that terrorism not only targets lives and institutions but also seeks to spread fear and create divisions within communities. He highlighted the significance of investing in media professional training as a means to build societal resilience, stressing the role of journalism in debunking rumors and promoting dialogue.

The minister expressed gratitude for Senegal's selection to host the program and praised the IMCTC's efforts in supporting member states against terrorism. He hoped that this initiative would lead to more programs aimed at strengthening national capacities in media, awareness-raising, and extremism prevention.

Maj. Gen. Al-Moghedi underlined the need for media professionals to handle sensitive issues with professionalism. He pointed out that accurate information helps communities understand threats and counter extremist narratives effectively. He also noted the importance of verifying information and understanding local contexts to prevent the spread of extremist messages.