Queen Rania calls for optimal use of IT to counter extremism

Queen Rania Al Abdullah called on Tuesday for the optimal use of information technology and telecommunications devices to counter extremism that threatens the whole world and tarnishes the image of Islam.
"For the sake of each one of us...for Islam and the Arab world...for the future of our young people, we must create a new narrative and broadcast it to the world," Queen Rania said in her speech at Abu Dhabi Media Summit.
"Because if we don't decide what our identity is...and what our legacy will be, the extremists will do it for us," she said.
Despite the great challenges facing the Arab region, Queen Ranai expressed optimism about emerging opportunities in the region.
"The good news is that new industries are emerging. The digital landscape is evolving. And internet connectivity and mobile technologies are creating new horizons for entrepreneurs. Arab internet users are growing at around 20 percent annually. Mobile penetration at around 110 percent." She also highlighted the potential of e-commerce in the region, as well as an ICT sector that is set to hit USD 20 billion in 2020.
"A burgeoning technology sector, an insatiable consumer market, and a huge youth population hungry for opportunity indicate that the conditions for explosive growth are within reach," she said.
The Jordanian Queen underlined that the Arab World has all the requirements of success.
"Our region has the values, the money, the minds, the youth, the technology, the market, the networks, and the motivation to tap into these reserves and create lasting change." Abu Dhabi Media Summit is one of the largest gatherings of global leaders in the field of media and has quickly established itself as an essential date on the global media leadership calendar. The invitation-only event hosts a select number of industry leaders, building upon Abu Dhabi's position as the Arab world's creativity and media hub.