Security Media participates in 'Hooliganism Symposium' in Riyadh

The U.A.E.'s Security Media Department at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has participated in a media symposium addressing intolerance and violence in stadiums. The symposium was organised by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The U.A.E.'s delegation included Captain Abdul Muttalib Ahmed Al Hammadi, Head of Media Studies and Security Coordination Section of the Security Media Department and Abdullah Shaheen, Media Expert and Director of Press Branch at the Security Media Department. The delegation submitted a set of proposals to deal with the phenomenon of intolerance, violence and hooliganism in football matches in Arab countries and around the world in general. The three-day symposium addressed several topics, including the relationship between media and sport, the role of media discourse in triggering the feelings and emotions of the masses, the role of modern social media in fanaticism and violence in stadiums, as well as the basis and criteria of the sports media code of honour. The U.A.E. delegation suggested allocating more free seats to children and women during the "Derby" games, which would establish a moral deterrent to any hostile behaviour by some audiences. It also recommended employing social media to spread positive messages to promote the values of civilized cheering and enhance the sense of responsibility towards the reputation of the country and a responsibility to safeguard its achievements. The delegation also stressed the importance of promoting the role of the clergy and the role of social and spiritual upbringing to educate and raise awareness about the dangers of hatred and violence against others.