Malaysia, Saudi Arabia To Establish Centre To Counter Terrorism, Radicalism - Minister Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are in discussions to establish a centre on countering narratives and ideologies which underpin terrorism and radicalism in Islam. Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the plan, aimed at further fostering cooperation between the two countries was discussed during his meeting with Saudi's Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defence, Prince Mohammad Salman Al-Saud. "We also highlighted the need to promote Islam as a religion of peace and moderation. "Both parties agreed there is a need to rectify the many misconceptions about Islam and its fundamentals," he said in a statement on Monday, marking the end of his two-day working visit to Saudi Arabia to enhance ties between both countries. The meeting also stressed the need to promote Islam in a holistic manner beyond mere political dimensions that had led the Muslims to be divided, especially on the Daesh group of militants. Hishammuddin's visit to the Kingdom was also accompanied by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki and Chief of the Malaysian Army, General Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, among others. Meanwhile in a separate meeting with Saudi's Chief of General Staff for the Armed Forces, General Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Bunyan held on the sidelines of the working visit, Raja Mohamed Affandi highlighted the values of both countries' armed forces cooperation. He said they agreed to further enhance military-to-military relations between both armed forces and noted his counterpart's interest to conduct a working visit to Malaysia. --BERNAMA