Department of Creed Organizes an Extracurricular Activity on Addressing Extremism and Excess

A group of faculty members from the Department of Creed and Islamic Thought at the College of Islamic Sciences, University of Samarra, in collaboration with first-year evening study students, organized an extracurricular activity entitled “Ways to Address Extremism and Excess in Light of Islamic Creed.” The activity included the display of awareness posters addressing the topic.

The scientific activity aimed to shed light on the phenomena of extremism and excess (ghuluw), clarifying their dangers to both individuals and society, while presenting a balanced Islamic doctrinal approach to addressing them. The initiative emphasized that authentic Islamic creed is founded upon moderation and balance, as reflected in the Qur’anic principle: “Thus We have made you a justly balanced nation.” Any deviation from this methodology, the activity noted, leads to intellectual and behavioral instability.

The activity explored the concepts of extremism and excess, along with their intellectual, psychological, and social causes, including weak understanding of religious texts, ignorance of the higher objectives of Sharia, influence of deviant ideologies, and various social and economic factors.

It also clarified the distinction between sound religious commitment and blameworthy rigidity. The activity highlighted several remedial approaches, most notably: strengthening correct creed based on a moderate understanding of religious texts; promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and acceptance of differing opinions within legitimate parameters; and activating the role of educational and religious institutions in consolidating sound intellectual awareness.