Counterterrorism

Countering Violent Extremism

Counterterrorism is a critical area of cooperation between the UAE and US and a key aspect of the two countries’ decades-long security partnership. The countries’ approach to counterterrorism is grounded in shared values, as the UAE rejects extremism and champions a moderate, open and tolerant vision for the Middle East region. 

The UAE strongly condemns terrorism and extremism in all forms. The country plays a strong leadership role in combatting extremist ideologies, including those that fuel terrorism and conflict, and pose a threat to regional and global security.  

Over several decades, the UAE has been a key partner of the US to defeat terrorist organizations – from participating in coalitions to defeat ISIS and Al-Qaeda, to providing basing and logistical support to American forces in the region, to disrupting terrorist financing.

The UAE believes that violent extremists will not be defeated by military force alone. More holistic approaches are needed, including: cutting off funding; disrupting the recruitment of foreign fighters; securing borders; halting the spread of hate and promotion of violence via the web and social media; and preventing the use of religious centers to radicalize and recruit. 

In addition, the UAE is leading efforts to address the root causes of extremism by promoting inclusion and compassion. In light of the alarming rise in extremist hate speech and incitement, the UAE underscores its condemnation and rejection of all forms of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia, calling for the respect of all religious sites, including mosques, churches and synagogues. Through initiatives such as the Abrahamic Family House and the Manara Center – a collaborative initiative with the United States – the UAE maintains a commitment to fostering understanding, dialogue and positive change across cultures.

To further advance its global leadership in this regard, the UAE in January 2026 named Maqsoud Kruse as Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Countering Extremism and Terrorism. The Special Envoy's mandate includes building partnerships with international counterparts and serving as the UAE's representative in global forums to promote knowledge-sharing and best practices.

Condemning the Muslim Brotherhood

The UAE welcomes the announcement by the administration of US President Donald Trump designating several branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt as terrorist organizations.

The designation represents a key measure within the United States' efforts to deprive these terrorist branches of the resources that enable them to engage in, support or justify acts of extremism, hatred and terrorism.

The UAE has been at the forefront regionally in identifying and countering the Muslim Brotherhood, viewing the group as a promoter of extremist ideologies and destabilizing actions. The US State Department has recognized the UAE's leadership in this area.

 Falcon

Promoting Inclusion and Compassion

  • Prominent UAE officials and religious leaders continue to publicly criticize violent extremist ideology and disrupt the messages that lead to radicalization.
  • To prevent violent extremist preaching in UAE religious centers, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments works closely with religious leaders in the UAE and monitors possible violations. 
  • The UAE is home to Hedayah, the Global Center for Excellence in Countering Violent Extremism, a “think and do” tank that provides communities and governments around the world with tools to promote tolerance and understanding, and increase their capabilities to counter extremism and recruitment efforts by terrorist organizations. Hedayah was created by the UAE, US and other member countries of the Global Counterterrorism Forum in 2012. 
  • During 2024 and 2025, Hedayah undertook pioneering research examining the intersection of artificial intelligence and counterterrorism, analyzing how terrorist groups might exploit AI while also identifying ways AI could strengthen prevention programs. The center continues to convene global experts through its annual International Research Conference, bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to advance evidence-based approaches to countering violent extremism. Through its programs, Hedayah has reached people in over 100 countries.
  • The UAE-based Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace convenes both secular and religious leaders from around the world to promote peace in Islam and find solutions to challenges facing the global Muslim community.
  • The Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith center in Abu Dhabi, is focused on creating mutual understanding among people of all faiths and belief systems. The center, which includes a church, mosque and synagogue, was inspired by the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the UAE in February 2019.
  • In June 2023, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments introduced the "National Program for Religious Moderation," an initiative designed to advance tolerant interpretations of Islam and foster moderation, tolerance and cross-cultural respect through educational programs for imams and preachers.

Countering Extremist Propaganda and the Exploitation of Web and Social Media

  • Sawab Center is a partnership between the UAE and US to counter extremist propaganda and terrorist messaging in the online space. The Center was announced by US President Barack Obama at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
  • Launched in 2015, this joint digital communications hub utilizes social media platforms to amplify credible voices to speak out against ISIS, counter false extremists' claims, and highlight key accomplishments by the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
  • Sawab places a specific emphasis on amplifying credible third-party voices, whether these are organizations active in the anti-extremism field, moderate religious scholars or well-known personalities.
  • In addition, Sawab seeks to amplify credible religious narratives to counteract extremist rhetoric and has cooperated with like-minded entities including Al-Azhar. Sawab highlighted the 2016 Marrakesh Declaration on the Rights of Minorities in Predominantly Muslim Majority Communities prominently.
  • Sawab has consulted and shared its experience with many countries and international organizations interested in similar efforts to counter violent extremism and regularly coordinates with other members of the Coalition on messaging and social media campaigns.
  • Under the UAE government’s cybercrime law, the UAE criminalizes the use of the internet by terrorist groups to “promote their ideologies and finance their activities.” 

UN Security Council Leadership in Countering Extremism

  • In June 2023, during the UAE's presidency of the UN Security Council, the UAE co-authored UNSC Resolution 2686 on "Tolerance and International Peace and Security." The resolution was the first to formally recognize that hate speech and extremism can contribute to the outbreak, escalation, and recurrence of conflict, and urges stakeholders including religious leaders, media and social media platforms to address hate speech and extremism that leads to or exacerbates armed conflict.
  •  During the UAE's tenure on the UN Security Council from 2022-2023, UAE Ambassador Lana  Nusseibeh served as Chair of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee, leading efforts to examine evolving global terrorist threats and emerging trends, with particular emphasis on combating the misuse of digital tools by terrorists and collaborating with the US to counter terrorist use of autonomous systems.