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Mar 10, 2016 - Islamic extremism is associated with the fundamental, radical ... Keynote theme 1: Religious eschatology

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Conference Brochure The Rise of Islamic Extremism JOINT PROJECT VENTURE BETWEEN THE INTELLIGENCE ACADEMY (SSA) AND THE NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY

1. Aims Islamic extremism is associated with the fundamental, radical approach of certain branches of Islam which calls for a return to the traditional classical Islamic community as being the only true way and the call for a jihad to cleanse and purify the Islamic religion. Recent manifestations of Islamic extremism such as the Islamic State, Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab are proving to be a threat to state security and in some instances to international peace and security. The primary aim of the conference is to investigate the contemporary impact and evolving nature of Islamic extremism, especially on Africa and South Africa. This will be done through extensive discussions and debates with experts, both international and national, on the subject of Islamic extremism. 2. Content and topics To investigate and understand the phenomenon in its complexity, the rise of Islamic extremism will be analysed through an ontological approach to include its origins, aims, regional spread and capacities. As such, Islamic extremism would be analysed both through religious and political perspectives. Its inner-workings and operational approach would also be investigated, all in an effort to understand the extent of the threat to state security and international peace and security. Keynote themes will be explored in the form of facilitated discussions following keynote addresses. Keynote themes which will be explored include:  Keynote theme 1: Religious eschatology and Islamic History Islamic history  Keynote theme 2: Islamic Extremism in South  Keynote theme 3: Islamic Extremism around the globe  Keynote theme 4: The Islamic State 3. Conference details The conference is held from 10-11 March 2016 in the Senate Hall, Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), South Africa. It is a joint project venture between the Intelligence Academy of the State Security Agency (SSA) and the NWU.

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Conference Programme The Rise of Islamic Extremism Day 1: 9 March 2016 08:00-17:00

Arrival of participants [NWU Sports Village]

18:00-20:00

Dinner for keynote speakers and facilitators [NWU Sports Village] Hosted by Prof Fika van Rensburg (Rector: Potchefstroom Campus, NWU)

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Day 2: 10 March 2016 Morning Coffee and Registration Opening Addresses  Mr Michael Sarjoo, Head of Intelligence Academy, SSA  Prof Dr Rantoa Letšosa (Vice-Rector Teaching-Learning, Potchefstroom Campus, NWU) 09:40-10:00 Thematic address: “Islamic Extremism: A misunderstood term?”  Dr Barend Prinsloo: Head Security Studies and Management, NWU 10:00 “Islamic Eschatology” by Dr Timothy R. Furnish (Ohio State, USA) 11:15 Discussion facilitator: Prof Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk (Academic Director, Wits School of Governance) 11:15- Coffee and Tea 11:45 11:45 “The Relationship between State and Religion in Christianity, Islam and 13:00 Judaism and Its Influence on Politics” by Dr Timothy van Aarde (Faculty of Theology, NWU, RSA)  “Religious radicalism … Blame it on the father …” by Dr Naas Ferreira (Senior Lecturer, Missiology, NWU)  Discussion facilitator: Prof Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk (Academic Director, Wits School of Governance) 13:00-14:00 Lunch 14:00 “Why isolate Islamic extremism?” by Mr Ganief Hendricks (President of 14:45 the Al Jama-ah Political Party)  Discussion facilitator: Prof Andre Duvenhage (Research Director, NWU) 14:45- Coffee and Tea 15:15 15:15- Keynote theme 2: Islamic Extremism in South Africa 16:00  “South Africa's Muslim Extremism: A Myth or a Reality?” by Prof Muhammed Haron (Department of Theology & Religious Studies at the University of Botswana)  Discussion facilitator: Prof Andre Duvenhage (Research Director, NWU) 16:00-16:15 Conference closure and administrative arrangements Dr Barend Prinsloo: Head Security Studies and Management, NWU 16:15-18:00 Free time 18:00-20:00 Dinner Hosted by Prof Susan Visser (Vice-Rector: Research and Planning, Potchefstroom Campus, NWU) Keynote theme 2: Islamic Extremism in South Africa

Keynote theme 1: Religious eschatology and Islamic History

08:30-09:10 09:10-09:40

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Day 3: 11 March 2016 Morning Coffee and Registration Opening Address  Prof Susan Visser (Vice-Rector: Research and Planning, Potchefstroom Campus, NWU) 09:00-09:45 Thematic address: “Why does Islamic extremism flourish, and why it is useful”  Mr Na'eem Jeenah (Executive Director: Afro-Middle East Centre)  Discussion facilitator: Prof Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk (Academic Director, Wits School of Governance) 09:45 “Assessing the threats of Islamic extremism in Ukraine” by Dr Volodymyr 10:30 Riabtsev (Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine)  Discussion facilitator: Dr Luni Vermeulen (Senior Lecturer School of Social and Government Studies, NWU) 10:30- Coffee and Tea 11:00 11:00 “Rise of Islamic radicalism in Asia - its impact on Japan” by Mr Rene 11:45 Kanayama (International Academy of Social Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)  Discussion facilitator: Dr Luni Vermeulen (Senior Lecturer School of Social and Government Studies, NWU) 11:45 “Islam and Al-Shabaab of Kenya: The pitfalls of Muslim scholars, clerics, 12:30 and adherents” by Dr Becky Omwenga (Kenya)  Discussion facilitator: Dr Luni Vermeulen (Senior Lecturer School of Social and Government Studies, NWU) 12:30-13:30 Lunch 13:30 “Daesh’s penetration into Africa: The lessons learned during the past two 14:15 years” by Prof Marco Lombardi (Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy)  Discussion facilitator: Dr Barend Prinsloo (Head Security Studies and Management, NWU) 14:15 “Confronting the Islamic State: Progress to date and Challenges ahead” by 15:00 Mr Andrew Liepman (Senior Policy Analyst, Rand Corporation)  Discussion facilitator: Dr Barend Prinsloo (Head Security Studies and Management, NWU) 15:00 “Islamic State and the Looming Global Conflagration” by Prof Hussein 15:45 Solomon (Political Studies and Governance, UFS, RSA)  Discussion facilitator: Dr Barend Prinsloo (Head Security Studies and Management, NWU) 15:45-16:00 Conclusion of conference - Prof Andre Duvenhage (Research Director, Faculty of Arts, NWU) Keynote theme 4: The Islamic State

Keynote theme 3: Islamic Extremism around the globe

08:15-08:45 08:45-09:00

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Abstracts (in Alphabetical Order by Name) 1. Mr Andrew Liepman: “Confronting the Islamic State: Progress to date and Challenges ahead” A coalition led by the United States has been at war with the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (alternatively known as the ISIS, ISIL, and DAESH) for more than 18 months. I will attempt to answer, or at least discuss, some of the central questions now surrounding this conflict. What has been achieved? Is ISIS stronger or weaker now than it was last summer? How might we measure progress?

And perhaps more importantly, what

might we concentrate on in the future to ensure success. The IS is more than just a proto-state, it is a movement that has seeped into conflicts across the region and it seeks to spawn attacks world-wide. Thus, we must think of the power of the Islamic State in three contexts. First, within Iraq and Syria and the territory it controls. Second, among its now 11 provinces across the region, from Libya and Eygpt to Somalia, Yemen, and Afghanistan. And third, in motivating individuals across the globe – in Europe, in Russia and China, in the West. Its ambitions are broad and different strategies must be applied to defeat IS in each of these three spheres. 2. Dr Barend Prinsloo: “Islamic Extremism: A misunderstood term?” Dealing with Islamic Extremism without considering the meaning and context of the term itself leads to a narrow understanding of the phenomenon and its implications. This has led to describing Islamic extremism in terms such as ‘terrorism’ and ‘Islamic radicalisation’ which require reactive interventions (such as counter-terrorism and military measures) by governments to combat this form of extremism. Analysing its context provides additional insight on possible solutions to combat extremism in general and Islamic Extremism in particular. This may prompt measures taken by governments to secure a more sustainable approach in combating extremism.

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3. Dr Becky Omwenga: “Islam and Al-Shabaab of Kenya: The pitfalls of Muslim scholars, clerics, and adherents” The number of Kenyans who recently have lost their lives at the hands of Al-Shabaab is alarming. Whereas many Kenyan Muslim scholars, clerics, and adherents reject the fundamentalist label because it creates the impression that Islam is a violent religion, there is yet to be a concerted effort by Muslims of all classes in Kenya to speak against the menace of Al-Shabaab. Ironically, many Kenyans do not realise the difference between Islam as a way of peace and Islam as an extremist movement, leading to a biased conclusion that all Muslims are terrorists. This paper is based on the hypothesis that Kenyan Muslim scholars, clerics, and adherents understand their religion and hence have a responsibility to educate Kenyans on (i) the definition of Islam, (ii) differences between ordinary Muslims and Islamists, and (iii) measures taken to prevent the recruitment of Al-Shabaab militia in Kenya. This paper argues that the recent AlShabaab attack on Garissa University urges all Muslims, irrespective of their status, to absolve themselves from the accusation that they sympathise with Al-Shabaab. Newspapers, media reports, and journals lead this study to draw the conclusion that Kenyan Muslims have done little to campaign against Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks in Kenya. Key words: Al-Shabaab, fundamentalism, Islamist, Muslims, Kenya, Islamophobia 4. Mr Ganief Hendricks: “Why isolate Islamic extremism?” The Speaker debunks false flags of Muslims involved in acts of extremism in South Africa. He traces the contributions of Muslim South African heroes over the past 300 years including his own great grandfather who gave the ANC its name. He shows how Muslims threw their weight against injustice and question why would such a proud community want to tarnish their reputation by becoming irreligiously extremist. The Aljama-ah Political Party was successful in its complaint against the national broadcaster about generalizing any religion when terrorism is involved. The Speaker plans to convince this conference that the theme of its Conference is an oxy-moron. He will put the position that using the terms “Islamic Extremism” is a blot against all South Africans. Posturing around terms like “Islamic Extremism” is inexcusable political rhetoric. One must therefore be ashamed of people conflating the horrific acts of terrorism with the beliefs of an entire faith. The very essence of Islam is peace and this is the opposite of 6

extremism. The Speaker shares his interaction with the Deputy British Ambassador on his country’s

counter-extreme strategy based on British fundamental values. The

diplomat had no quarrel with South Africa’s own values with roots in “Ubuntu” which the Speaker claim is embraced by Islam. There are some among us including security institutes who are trying to incite our government against its own Muslims. This is evidenced, some claim, by the growing number of Quran schools. Many South Africans are not aware that hundreds of thousands of Quran schools exist in East West and North Africa for many centuries. Yet, we have never once heard that these schools are a source of extremism. When doors are closed, desperate people may resort to violence and may resort to religion to give legitimacy to such violence. We believe our world needs to adopt moral values that restore our dignity as real human beings. From this perspective, there is a lot that Islam can contribute to the wellbeing of humanity. Instead of viewing it as source of extremism, Islam is capable of addressing the major challenges humanity is facing today:

poverty, family disintegration, injustices of all kind, and

environmental disasters. 5. Prof Hussein Solomon: “Islamic State and the Looming Global Conflagration” This paper examines the origins, rise and future trajectory of Islamic State. It notes that despite recent losses of territory and financial resources, it remains a potent force. Several reasons account for this including the duplicitous nature of the Assad regime, the actions and national interests of regional players like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well as the fact that our international security architecture is not geared to take on a global threat such as the one posed by Islamic State. Islamic State is three things: a proto-state, a terrorist group and an ideology. Whilst the former two can be defeated it is extremely difficult to eradicate Islamic State, the ideology. 6. Prof Marco Lombardi: “Daesh’s penetration into Africa: The lessons learned during the past two years” From the very beginning, the Islamic State drew international attention because of its communication skills, especially after the proclamation of a Caliphate on 29 June 2014. However, in the history of the evolution of its name (from ISI - Islamic State of Iraq, to ISIL - Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and ISIS - Islamic State of Iraq and Syria to IS, simply and most efficiently, the Islamic State) we find the public declaration of its true 7

political intentions: the Islamist’s aim to found a “State”. From its very beginning, IS showed an aspiration to create institutions and to establish the basis of a State among other states. The real innovation introduced by Daesh is their competent use of media – reflecting advanced technological skill to support the framework of a much more complex political and military scheme aiming at consolidating radical and Jihadi Islam on a specific geographical territory. Daesh is pursuing its objectives through a skillful and linear strategy, where fighting, mass murder, communication, economy and politics all converge in its ultimate intention to build an Islamic State. In short, Daesh’s very DNA leads this project: a terrorist group calling itself “State”, organized as a State and controlling a territory where it collects taxes, offers services, envisages to coin money, approves budgets, while also exercising a “legitimate” power of violence and communicating through a variety of media, thus diversifying its messages. The group shows that a State is taking form also through a shared political theory which already embodies some of the elements of a State. Daesh is an “expanding idea”, supported by strategies and tactics in the new framework of the Hybrid War: a combination of complex interrelated conflicts and a pervasive, delocalized and diffused war where different actors (armies, terrorists, organized crime, insurgencies, media, NGOs, etc.) are players in the game, each with its own set of rules and objectives. In this new game Daesh proved to be the only player being able to exploit their enemy’s vulnerabilities. In its expansion policy, Daesh requested loyalty from many other Islamist groups and now, with its strategy to establish itself as the sole Islamic State (composed of different provinces Wilayats), it may count on a network of more than 40 jihadist groups, which is spread over 21 countries worldwide. The following groups are based in Africa; including former allies (A) or supporters (S): •

Sudan: Al-l'Tisam of the Koran and Sunnah [S]



Algeria: Al-Huda Battalion in Maghreb of Islam [A]; The Soldiers of the Caliphate in Algeria [A]



Tunisia: Okba Ibn Nafaa Battalion [S]; Jund Al-Khilafah in Tunisia [A]; Mujahideen of Tunisia of Kairouan [A]



Libya; Ansar Al-Sharia [A]; Islamic State Libya (Darnah) [A]; Shura Council of Shabab Al-Islam [A]; Islamic Youth Shura Council [S]



Egypt; Jamaat Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis [A]; Jund Al-Khilafah in Egypt [A]; Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSCJ) [A] 8



Nigeria: Boko Haram [A]



Mali: Al-Murabitoun (reported to be part of AQIM still) [A]

In the summer of 2015, Daesh's envoys were reported to be in Somalia to discuss the possible affiliation of Al-Shabaab. This would result in the group being in opposition with the AQ leadership and becoming very close to Daesh, and would create a formal network (already in place informally) which also include Boko Haram (that is trying to expand toward Cameroon, Niger and Chad), jihadists in Kenya, Mali and Somalia. Finding itself under pressure in Middle East, Daesh’s penetration into Africa is increasing.

It is exploiting the political vulnerabilities of the different States and the

powerful connection with the organized crime which has a lot of overlapping with former Al Qaeda groups. In the past the Sahara was an open track for trades, today the desert is a North – South link for Islamists penetration; while from East, the new interest of Daesh/AQ for Asia suggests a possible threat via the mobility of people. 7. Prof Muhammed Haron: “South Africa's Muslim Extremism: A Myth or a Reality?” South Africa, like a number of other states on the continent, has been described as a developmental state; it is a state that has a relatively strong democratic government and a fairly robust civil society. It is distinct from a few embattled or failed African states (e.g. Somalia and Central African Republic) where conflict has been endemic and where religious extremism/radicalism/terrorism has reared its head. Though South Africa is markedly different from other states that have been encountering continuous conflict and religious radicalism/extremism, it was forced - in the aftermath of the tragic 9/11 event to put in place structures and implement policies that would counter this phenomenon. As a consequence South Africa’s Mbeki adminstration like others was co-opted onto the Bush adminsitration’s ‘War-on-Terror campaign.’ Be that as it may, the South Africa has had to deal with bouts of religious extremism over the past few years. This paper’s purpose is three-fold: Firstly it defined and placed ‘Muslim extremism’ within a global context; secondly it reflected on the literatures that have appeared - over the past few years - and that unpacked this phenomenon in some detail; and lastly it responds to the question whether ‘the rise of Muslim extremism’ is indeed a reality or just a myth within the South African environment. The paper, however, intends to appropriate ‘critical

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theory’ as a conceptual frame within which to understand these dvelopments and outcomes. Key Words: Africa, South Africa, Muslim Extremism, Think Tanks, Religion, Islam 8. Dr Naas Ferreira: “Religious radicalism … Blame it on the father …” A question that is hotly debated in religious circles is: Which of the three monotheistic Abrahamic religions (Judaism; Christianity and Islam) represents the true spiritual legacy of the historic Abraham of 4000 years ago? There can be no doubt that all three of these religions were (and still are) in some way involved in the radicalized religious turmoil the world has experienced over many years and in the present. At this conference we will focus exclusively on the spiritual extremism of Islam. The question is: Where does it come from? What is happening? This paper suggests that it can be blamed on the father of these religions. The historical records (accepted by all three religions) will suggest, that Abraham is to blame. The sin of the father is highlighted in the aspirations of his children.

Through identifying the root of the problem and its consequences it will

eventually be possible to determine which of the three monotheistic Abrahamic religions truly represent the spiritual legacy of the one true God that Abraham served. 9. Mr Na'eem Jeenah: “Why does Islamic extremism flourish, and why it is useful” (Abstract not received by time of going to print) 10. Mr Rene Kanayama: “Rise of Islamic radicalism in Asia - its impact on Japan” While Japan has not been immune to religious radicalism, in particular after the World War II, when the religious monopoly of State Shinto has been abolished, it is yet to see any particular impact of Islamic fundamentalism inside Japan – when this fundamentalism is already thriving in neighboring countries of South-East Asia – Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and China or Central Asia region. Statistics state that in the country of 125 million inhabitants, only 10,000 are identified as Muslims, and these are composed more of low-income migrating work force from countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia or China rather than organized immigration by masses. One of the reasons why the Muslims as a religious group do not congregate in Japan may be that Japan geographically represents a “dead end”, and the migrant flows will not use the country as a platform to move to other countries if coming from the Eurasian continent. 10

Another reason may be the stringent Government rules on assimilating Muslims into Japanese society and restrictions on granting both citizenships and permanent residencies, not to mention the laws forbidding the practices leading to converting the local population to Islam. On the other hand, Japan does need to maintain superb diplomatic relations with the countries being exclusively Muslim and acting as a natural resource origin to drive Japanese economy – namely the countries of the Gulf which is responsible for most of the oil imports into Japan. These countries, however, do not represent a risk of sending in their own population as a workforce into Japan and realize themselves that Japan will be needed for years to come to maintain the purchasing capacities for the Gulf oil and will not project the “Muslim vector” into their commercial relationships. It also needs to be taken into account, that with the advent of upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020, Japan has eased its visa policies towards many South-Asian countries, making it easier for potential radical Muslims to infiltrate the country. Recent public debates often mention the risks and weak points in Japan’s foreign policy making the country a potential target for extreme acts of violence – given the fact that Japanese nationals abroad are not immune to the terrorist attacks, being it in Indonesia, Iraq, Syria, Tajikistan or Bangladesh. On top of this, in 2014 several Japanese nationals have been identified as ISIS sympathizers and were arrested immediately prior to leaving the country to join ISIS forces in Syria. The presentation examines all factors, found both inside Japan and overseas, that could lead to Japan being the next soft target of international Islamic radicalism, and what can be identified as the both causes and consequences of deterioration of security situation in Japan vis-à-vis recent spate of terrorist attacks in major international hubs. 11. Dr Timothy Van Aarde: “The Relationship between State and Religion in Christianity, Islam and Judaism and Its Influence on Politics The article examines the relation of Islam and history and compares it to the relation between Christianity and Western history. In order to identify the influences that have shaped the modern relation of Islam to Christianity it is necessary to begin with the present situation and progressively trace the development of this relation. The history of Islam and Christianity has also been shaped by Judaism in earlier centuries and this will also be taken into account. The Pentateuch is the oldest tradition amongst the three world religions. It will be demonstrated that IS as not merely a present reaction to 11

modernism or postmodernism but the result of a certain historical development and clash of worldviews. 12. Dr Timothy R. Furnish: “Islamic Eschatology” Eschatological (“End Time”) movements in the world’s second-largest religion, Islam, greatly resemble those in the largest one, Christianity—mutatis mutandis, particularly in the political violence realm, where the former has spawned attempts to “hotwire the apocalypse” across space and time far more than has the latter. Movements claiming to be led by the eschatological Mahdi, Allah’s “rightly-guided one”—who will create a global caliphate with a little help from his returned prophetic friend `Isa, Jesus—have erupted throughout the ummah since its early days, and Africa has been particularly prone to such, from the 10th century AD Shi`i Fatimids of the Maghrib and Egypt to the 20th century’s Maitatsine of Nigeria, and in-between encompassing the two most successful Sunni Mahdis of all time: Morocco’s Ibn Tumart and Sudan’s Muhammad Ahmad. Today’s paramount Muslim apocalyptic group is the Arab Middle Eastern one ISIS, which has wilayat in at least seven African nations and possibly intends to relocate command and control of its caliphate to Libya.

Most Islamic Mahdist movements in Africa have

been indigenous ones, however (whether North African or sub-Saharan), and if ISIS successfully transfers to Africa, it will be the first eschatological group to do so from outside since the Fatimids.

However, even if Caliph al-Baghdadi remainds in Raqqa

(Syria), ISIS’s appeals to End Time hadiths and assertions of realizing them will likely continue to attract supporters in Islamic Africa. 13. Dr Volodymyr Riabtsev: “Assessing the threats of Islamic extremism in Ukraine” In 2009, the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine expressed common concern about the penetration into Ukrainian territory of members of Islamist organizations whose activities are banned in many countries of the world. Most such cases were observed in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which is a territorial-administrative unit of Ukraine (about 250,000 Muslims lives in this territory). The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Crimea has developed a draft law banning extremist organizations and groups in Ukraine. However, it was not adopted due to the absence of the definition of extremism in the Ukrainian legislation. The evaluation of terrorist threats hailing from organizations 12

belonging to the radical Islamic movements were considered in more detail by the working group of experts that were preparing the Design Basis Threat for the nuclear installations, nuclear and radioactive materials in Ukraine in 2010. At that time, it was concluded that there was no real threat to the Ukraine emanating from radical Islamists. At the beginning of 2014, however, the dramatic events unfolded in Ukraine which resulted in the occupation of the Crimea by the Russian Federation. These events were classified to be both a revolution and a state coup. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, about 20,000 Muslims left the territory of the peninsula. Many of them moved to neighbouring Kherson region of Ukraine, bordering with the Crimea. The new region of residence of Muslims has become the object of increased attention by Islamic extremists. The representatives of ISIS and the Turkish extremist organization, the Grey Wolves, have started activities in this region and spreading the ideas of radicalism among the local people. Muslim leaders made it clear that they would want to create the independent (not controlled by Kiev) Tatar Republic in these areas. This idea is a very real threat for Ukraine. Radical Islamist organizations have a foothold in Ukraine as a result of the disappointment of Ukrainians in the Christian religion and their subsequent conversion to Islam. Other recent events also point to increased activities by Islamic extremists. For instance, in November 2015 one of the leaders of the Syrian wing AlQaeda was arrested in the territory of Ukraine. Also by the end of 2015, groups of Muslim militants numbering more than 50 people attempting to enter the territory Ukraine were stopped. Despite the fact that the leaders of the Islamic State put Ukraine on the list of 60 countries which are the enemies of the Islamists, the legislation needed to ban the activities of the extremist organizations and groups in Ukraine has not yet been adopted. More concerning is that fact that the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated in December 2015 that currently there is no direct threat from radical Islamists to the Ukraine.

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Biographies of Keynote Speakers (in Alphabetical Order by Name) 1. Mr Andrew Liepman (Senior Policy Analyst at the RAND Corporation, USA) Andrew Liepman is a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. He retired in August 2012 as the Principal Deputy Director of the National Counterterrorism Center after a career of more than 30 years in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He spent much of his career on Middle East and terrorism issues. He served for three years at the Department of State and in a variety of Intelligence Community assignments, including positions in the Nonproliferation Center and the National Intelligence Council. He was the Deputy Chief of CIA's Office of Near East and South Asian Analysis, the Deputy Director of the Office of Weapons Intelligence, Arms Control, and Nonproliferation, the Chief of the Office of Iraq Analysis, and the Deputy Chief of CIA's Counterterrorism Center. Immediately prior to joining RAND he served in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, first as the Deputy Director of NCTC for Intelligence and finally as the Principal Deputy. Liepman earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. 2. Dr Barend Prinsloo (Senior Researcher, North-West University, South Africa) Dr Barend Prinsloo is a Senior Researcher in the subject field of Security Studies and Management at the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He is the study leader for several MA and PhD candidates and also the head of the Research Programme: Politics. His fields of academic speciality include security risk management, international peace and security, and threat assessments. Dr Prinsloo worked for almost a decade for the United Nations in various capacities including in the Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in New York, USA and as a Political Affairs Officer with UNMIL in Liberia. He began his career as an Officer in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Dr Prinsloo holds a PhD in Political Studies from the NWU. The title of his thesis was “The African Union/United Nations hybrid peace operation in

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Africa – A new approach to maintain international peace and security”. He is currently pioneering new research on predictive analysis modelling aimed to provide a model for practitioners to allow them to better predict strategic political and security events. Several of his articles are also under review by peer review journals or have already been accepted for publication. 3. Dr Becky Omwenga (Post-Doc Fellowship, NWU) (Biography not received by time of going to print)

4. Mr Ganief Hendricks (President: Al Jama-Ah Political Party, South Africa) Ganief is a councillor in the City of Cape Town, a secretary of a trade union, the weekly host of a Labour and Job Advice programme on a community radio station in the Muslim community which he founded and a Publisher of African stories. At the University Western Cape he founded the Muslim Students Association of South Africa, lobbied successfully for Arabic and Islamic classical history to be a recognised course and got the Hostel certified halaal. He was a student leader campaigning for no fees with support of Professor Adam Small, was seconded to rally the Muslim community to call for the release of former President Mandela and was editor of the campus newspaper heading up an editorial committee which included Jakes Gerwel who later became Rector. After 1994 he was part of the Gender Commission at the University. While at University his family home was demolished in District 6 in terms of the Group areas Act soon after he visited Libya to be a founder member of Muammar Gaddafi’s Call of Islam Society. He was the youngest member of the Majlisush Shura al Islami founded by the Muslim Judicial Council to be the Muslim Parliament. He represented the Shura on the Islamic Unity Convention headed by Imam Achmat Cassiem, Robben Islander and leader of the former banned Islamic movement Qibla. The Convention represented over 200 Muslim organizations nationally including all the hardline organizations in the country. Ganief was the founding PRO and later vice chairman of the IUC and chair of its Muslim radio station. The station was targeted by the Jewish Board of Deputies for its position on events in Palestine a matter that was finally heard after 15 years in which he was a key witness. At the time over a dozen Muslim leaders wrote a secret letter to government charging that the IUC and some of its constituent members and leaders were extremists. This was an attempt to cancel its radio licence. Soon afterwards newspaper editors 15

wanted to finger Ganief as being behind the pipebombs that hit Planet Hollywood and the City. After he helped broker a meeting between reporters and leaders of People against Gangsterism and Drugs the Argus carried a feature positioning him as one of the most influential persons in Cape Town at the time his mentor Dr Archie Mafeje visited Cape Town. Archie later converted to Islam. In a roller coaster corporate career marred by racism Ganief defied all odds and climbed the corporate ladder to eventually help list a company on the JSE and in 2002 was given an award as a pioneer of the internet. He worked in all provinces and three (4) African countries including Nigeria. He saved the Nan brand for Swiss Company Nestle when striking workers added caustic soda to the milk vat. Apart from his stint as editor on campus he published two books one on teacher rights and the other an e-book “I was a kid in District 6”. He is writing his third book “Islamic rule in South Africa”. He helped publish the first book on history of the PAC and a novel by Sindiwe Magona and two books in the pipeline is a history of Azapo by Christine Qunta and a coffee table photographic book by Peter Magubane on bloodbath in Sharpeville. He was vice chair of the Forum for Black Journalists and an activist for affirmative action and Black control of media houses. Ganief won cases against the SABC and City Press on Islamaphobia profiling but was unsuccessful to get the use of the terms “Islamic Extremists” banned in broadcasts. Ganief is married to Fatima a social worker and his four (4) children all married are Jihaad, Ismail, Ghairoennisaa and Abdul Aziz.

5. Prof Hussein Solomon (Political Studies and Governance, UFS, South Africa) Dr. Hussein Solomon is Senior Professor in the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the MacKinder Programme for the Study of Long-Wave Events at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Senior Research Associate of the Jerusalem-based Research on Islam and Muslims in Africa (RIMA) as well as a Senior Analyst for the New York-based WikiStrat. Hussein Solomon also serves as a Captain in the South African Air Force Reserve Force. His most recent books are Jihad: A South African Perspective (Sun Media, 2013) and Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa: Fighting Insurgency from Al Shabaab, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015). This paper is based on his forthcoming book Islamic State and the Looming Global Confrontation (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). 16

6. Prof Marco Lombardi (Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy) Director of ITSTIME, Italian Team for Security Terroristic Issues & Managing Emergencies, Research Centre of Dpt. of Sociology Marco Lombardi is Professor at the Catholic University, Milan (Italy). He was a full time researcher (1994 - 2002) and is now a full time professor (2002 - on going) of Sociology, Crisis Management, Communication, International Cooperation and Security Policies. His expertise focuses on terrorism and security issues: director of ITSTIME, Italian Team for Security Terroristic Issues & Managing Emergencies (www.itstime.it), a Research Centre of Dpt. of Sociology. In particular, ITSTIME aims at analysing the communication process of terrorism, monitoring the jihad communication, directed by the statement that “terrorism is communication”. The main difference between a terrorist and a criminal is that the latter seeks a symbolic acknowledgement of his action. This means that he is aware of the media system where he proposes himself as the main character. Therefore a study that attempts to understand terrorist actions has to adopt both an integrated and a very direct approach, using communication as an important interpretive filter and framework. Prof. Marco Lombardi, as ITSTIME’s director, is part of many networks, national and international, private and public, focused on the emerging threats. He is also involved with the Italian law enforcement agencies in field activities. From 1994 to present responsible for actions (research, humanitarian, etc. projects) of the Catholic University in critical areas as Libya for humanitarian projects, Afghanistan responsible for civil military cooperation activities, Ethiopia for educational projects in south east area, Haiti, Sri Lanka, Kashmir (Pakistan) for projects after natural disasters. 7. Prof Muhammed Haron (Department of Theology & Religious Studies at the University of Botswana) Muhammed Haron is a South African based in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at the University of Botswana where is teaches Religious Studies courses as an associate professor. He is also an associate researcher in the ‘Study of Islam’ program at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) as well as an executive member of the Centre for Contemporary Islam at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Haron edited a special issue on ‘Arabo-Islamic Manuscripts [in Africa]’ for Tydksrif vir Letterkunde (University of Pretoria 45:1, 2008), and a special issue on ‘Muslims in Southern Africa’ for BOLESWA: Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy (University of Botswana 4:1, 2012). He 17

authored The Dynamics of Christian-Muslim Relations (Uppsala 2006), edited Going Forward: South African-Malaysia Relations (Kuala Lumpur 2008), compiled/edited South Africa’s Muslims: Annotated Bibliography (Cape Town1997) and South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission: An Annotated Bibliography (New York 2009), co-authored with Prof. Yasien Mohamed First Steps in Arabic Grammar (Chicago 2007) and Second Steps in Arabic Grammar (Chicago 2009) and co-edited with Prof. Dangor Islamic Civlization in Southern Africa (Istanbul 2009). He co-edited with Prof. Mbaye Lo Muslim Institutions of Higher Education in Post-Colonial Africa (London: Palgrave 2015).

8. Dr Naas Ferreira (Professor in Missiology, Faculty of Theology, Northwest University) Dr Naas Ferreira was a minister (pastor) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa for 26 years. He studied at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and received his BA and ThM from this University. He did his Doctor of Ministry (Urban Missions) at the Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (USA). He is the professor of Missiology at the Faculty of Theology of the Northwest University since April 2014 and is the study leader for several MA and PhD students in Missiology. He has travelled Africa extensively and attended several International conferences in Africa and recently also in Turkey. He was also involved in Christian mission in several African countries. In his research he also focuses the Theology of Religion with a specific focus on and interest in Islam.

9. Mr Na'eem Jeenah (Executive Director, Afro-Middle East Centre) Na'eem Jeenah is the executive director of the Johannesburg-based think tank, the AfroMiddle East Centre. His research areas include the Middle East, the Muslim world, Political Islam, South African politics. Jeenah's latest book (ed) is 'Pretending democracy: Israel, an ethnocratic state', published in 2012 by the Afro-Middle East Centre.

10. Mr Rene Kanayama (International Academy of Social Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation) An investment banking professional, extensively engaged in bridging Japanese Corporate Investment with regions of Central, Eastern & South-East Europe, 18

Commonwealth of Independent States & Central Asia, and Middle East. From April 2009 executing several investment projects, primarily in the sector of Hydrocarbon Energy in Commonwealth of Independent States and West Balkans in a capacity of Chairman of the Board and Corporate Director, Japan Investment Advisory Council, currently based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He has concurrently held several Government advisory positions: 

From January 2008 to March 2009 Advisor, Foreign Direct Investment and InCharge, Japanese Investments at InvestUkraine, Ukrainian Center for Foreign Investment Promotion;



From March 2009 to March 2010 Independent Expert Advisor to the Ministry for Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation of Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina;



From June 2009 Special Advisor for Economic Relations, Trade Representative Mission of Republic of Tajikistan in Ukraine;



From June 2009 Advisor, International Petroleum and Gas Programs, Ukrainian Institute on Gas Industry Projects Designing;



May - June 2010 Advisor, Vojvodina Economic Mission to Japan, for the Government of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia.

Previously, he has held a number of senior positions in international financial corporations,

including

Credit

Suisse

First

Boston

Securities

(New

Business

Development in Japanese equity market and development of proprietary information technology infrastructure), Goldman Sachs (Wealth Management Operations), and Paine Webber Asia (Japan Operations). He began his career in corporate banking with then Philadelphia based First Union National Bank in Japan and later progressed through portfolio accounting with State Street Bank in Sydney, Australia, being responsible for Japanese investment funds. He has applied his extensive corporate management exposure in the academic field, having been appointed a Visiting Lecturer at Higher Colleges of Technology’s Dubai Men’s College (business management and work ethics), a Visiting Lecturer of Master of Science Program (application of information technology in electronic business) and later a Visiting Professor of Master of Business Administration Program in Knowledge Village Academic City in the United Arab Emirates. In the school bodies, he has focused on drafting and implementation of academic curricula, delivered tailor-made courses on application of information 19

technology in business management and importantly for the Gulf Region, coordinated introduction of industry enterprises to student body in the Emiratisation programs. He also directly supervised successful launch of several internet based businesses in Dubai, focusing on media & public relations and currency exchange mechanisms. Mr. Kanayama holds Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Ethics from International Christian University in Tokyo, Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, Postgraduate Diploma in Oil and Gas Industry from Gubkin State University of Oil and Gas in Russian Federation, Master of Business Administration Degree in Oil and Gas from Gubkin State University of Oil and Gas in Russian Federation. In October 2015, he was appointed an Academician, International Academy of Social Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.

He is fully

proficient in Japanese, English and Russian languages, with studied knowledge of Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic, Latin and Classical Greek. Mr. Kanayama regularly speaks at international forums and conferences, focusing on topics of Japan’s involvement in investment entries in the regions of Middle East and Central Asia. 11. Dr Timothy Van Aarde (Post-Doc Fellowship, NWU) Dr. Timothy van Aarde is married to Jeanette and has two children, Jean-Michael and Isabel. He served as a pastor of Hosanna Presbyterian Church, Pusan, for 2 years, and missionary in Burundi (2007-2013 -Dec). He was involved with theological training at grass roots and since 2013 has taught theological training in townships of North West Province to pastors who have not had formal education. He continues to be involved in the development of post-graduate education in Africa. Tim is presently involved in research with North West University in the field of missions and New Testament. 12. Dr Timothy R. Furnish (Independent scholar, consultant and author, USA) Timothy R. Furnish holds a PhD from Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio, USA) in Islamic, African and World history.

His doctoral dissertation was on Sunni Mahdist

movements across space and time, and was published as Holiest Wars: Islamic Mahdis, their Jihads, and Osama bin Laden (2005). He has also recently put out two more books: Ten Years’ Captivation with the Mahdi’s Camps: Essays on Muslim Eschatology, 2005-2015 and Sects, Lies, and the Caliphate: 10 Years of Observations on Islam. Furnish has also written articles on Iranian Twelver Shi`i theology and WMDs, Islamic 20

sects, Tablighi Jama`at, and decapitation in Islamic history, as well as Islamic eschatology in general and Mahdism.

Besides writing, he has worked as a college

professor and as a consultant to the US military and government agencies on Islamic world issues. Furnish has also been a guest commentator for media such as the BBC, Fox News Channel, Alhurra, Al Jazeera, and several national radio shows in the US. He has lectured at the US Army War College, Joint Special Operations University, Monterey (California) Institute of International Studies, Haifa and Hebrew univesities in Israel, the Islamic Centre of England and the Mahdaviyat Conference in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Furnish is also a Tolkien fan and his new book High Towers and Strong Places: A Political History of Middle-earth is set to publish in April 2016; it will be followed by Bright Swords and Glorious Warriors: A Military History of Midde-earth later this year.

13. Dr Volodymyr Riabtsev (Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine) Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Science, graduate from the Institute of Cybernetic of the Ukrainian Academy of Science, where worked from 1979 till 1993. Since January 2016 is a consultant on strategic planning at the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine, after 4 years of work in the Association "Ukrainian Nuclear Forum" (2011-2015). Professional activities: 20 years – in international cooperation, 18 years - in nuclear energy utilization, 15 years – in science, 9 years on diplomatic work. In previous activities occupied the leadership positions in the Department of Man-Caused Security and the Department of Nuclear Policy and Radiation Safety at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (2003-2011): the senior diplomatic positions in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (1994-1998), including post of the Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Ukraine to Japan (1999-2001). Areas of expertise: nuclear energy use, nuclear security and safety, non-proliferation, multilateral export control regimes, critical infrastructure protection, prevention of the terrorist acts.

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