Etidal, Telegram remove 1.9 million items of extremist online content

Etidal has been collaborating with Telegram on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism by reviewing online content posted in Arabic. (Etidal photo)
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Updated 22 July 2022
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Etidal, Telegram remove 1.9 million items of extremist online content

RIYADH: The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, and messaging platform Telegram, have together removed around 1.9 million online items of extremist content since partnering on an initiative earlier this year.
And of the total, an estimated 1.2 million pieces of material and links were taken down between June 8 and July 12. 


The center, known as Etidal, has been collaborating with Telegram on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism by reviewing online content posted in Arabic. Both organizations have agreed to expand their coordination to detect and remove Arabic material glorifying terrorism.
Among items referred were media files — PDFs, videos, and audio — uploaded by groups on Telegram and public Telegram channels hosting the material.
The cooperation agreement aims to protect the platform’s users from extremist content, ideological influences, and attempts to exploit the platform in trading the content.
On Feb. 21, Etidal and Telegram announced a deal to step up their joint cooperation on tackling the issue.

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Etidal

Etidal (Arabic for "moderation"), is the other name of the Riyadh-based Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Organized in 2017, the center is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors consisting of various international organizations and state institutions that are appointed every 5 years. Early this year, the center partnered with messaging platform Telegram to review and remove online content glorifying terrorism as a way of preventing and countering violent extremism.


National Museum launches events to celebrate Saudi Founding Day and Ramadan

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National Museum launches events to celebrate Saudi Founding Day and Ramadan

RIYADH: The National Museum at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh has launched a series of events to celebrate the Founding Day on Feb. 22 and mark the holy month of Ramadan that began on Wednesday.

The program will run daily, starting from Feb. 19 and will continue to March 6. The program will start everyday at 10:00 p.m. and continue until 1:00 a.m., the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Combining the richness of heritage with interactive experiences, the program features exhibits inspired by the past, engaging storytelling, culinary experiences and activities tailored for different age groups.

The programs are scheduled around two main themes: Founding Day events from Feb. 19 to 22, focusing on reviving the legacy of the first Saudi state and highlighting the values that have shaped the Kingdom’s identity over the past three centuries; and Ramadan events from Feb. 19 to March 6, recreating the spirit of the holy month through cultural programs that foster social interaction and celebrate authentic heritage.

The series of events underscores the National Museum’s commitment to celebrating cultural heritage while fostering national pride and community values.

Saudi Founding Day is a national anniversary that commemorates the establishment of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Mohammed bin Saud.

King Salman designated this day as an official annual holiday starting in 2022, to fall on Feb. 22 each year.

As Feb. 22 approaches, the Kingdom prepares to turn its streets into vibrant arenas marking one of the most important milestones in its history.