The Department of English Marks the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism with a Joint Festival
The Department of English at the Colleges of Education for Human Sciences and Arts – University of Samarra organized a joint festival titled “The Lamp of Thought Against Extremism” on the occasion of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism. The event aimed to promote the values of awareness and tolerance and to affirm that enlightened thought forms the foundation for building a safe and balanced society.
The festival commenced with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a speech delivered by the Dean of the College of Arts, Professor Dr. Ahmed Mahmoud Allo. This was followed by remarks from Professor Dr. Yasser Hassan Saleh, Head of the Department of English at the College of Education, and Assistant Professor Dr. Saif Habib Hassan, Head of the Department of English at the College of Arts. In their speeches, they emphasized the vital academic role in confronting manifestations of extremism through spreading a culture of moderation and dialogue.
The festival featured an English-language speech competition aimed at promoting a culture of dialogue and reinforcing the concepts of moderation. The competition addressed five main themes tackling important intellectual and humanitarian issues, including the dangers of extremism and violence on individuals and society, the role of youth in promoting a culture of peace, the importance of education and enlightened thought in confronting ideological deviations, the responsibility of the media in shaping societal awareness, and dialogue and acceptance of others as a civilized alternative to conflict.
The speeches demonstrated a distinguished level of analysis, language proficiency, and performance. The results concluded with first place awarded to first-year evening study students, second place to third-year morning study students, and third place to first-year students from the College of Arts.
The festival also included two theatrical performances reflecting the message of the event. The first, titled “When Anger Turns into Extremism,” highlighted the dangers of uncontrolled anger and the importance of wisdom and self-restraint. The second performance, titled “The Weight of Silence,” portrayed the impact of domestic violence in creating fragile environments that may push individuals toward extremist ideas, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and breaking the cycle of silence.
In conclusion, Assistant Professor Dr. Adhwaa Mohammed Salman, supervisor of the thematic preparations, affirmed that the festival represents a message of awareness and responsibility, reflecting a deep understanding of the importance of promoting the values of tolerance and citizenship, and contributing to building a more secure and stable future.
