I REFER to Najib’s Global Movement of Moderates is a failure and wonder if the writer’s remarks on the organisation are credible enough due to the fact that her personal views are solely based on a desktop search.

If she is genuine in providing constructive comments on GMM, she can always call on the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) for a first-hand and thorough information on the initiatives that we have undertaken so far.

The Global Movement of Moderates was first espoused at the 65th United Nations General Assembly in 2010, and the establishment of GMMF to spearhead the moderation initiative was announced in 2012. GMMF is currently led by its third CEO, Dr Nasharudin Mat Isa, who came on board in November 2015 and is also concurrently its executive chairman.

The Global Movement of Moderates represents a continuous movement of “a process” and we admit that GMMF constantly faces and will continue to do so shortcomings and adversities in mobilising the moderation discourse, be it locally, regionally or globally.

Take the prevention of violent extremism initiative, for instance, bearing in mind that our organisation is not a think-tank per se, GMMF capitalises on close engagements with experts, scholars and researchers from universities and relevant think-tanks.

Our MoU signings signify the first step of strategic research cooperation in building a critical mass, since GMMF may be versatile in executing on its seven current initiatives, but the creation of a global movement will require the participation of all, especially since the Global Movement of Moderates is now an Asean agenda.

In line with its current phase, following its relocation, GMMF is also in the midst of a significant revamping of its publications, and media engagements.

Apart from that, despite GMMF being not a government outfit, we were approached by the Philippines Embassy in Malaysia and the Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia to host a round-table centred on the theme Moderation and Countering Violent Extremism with 50 Muslim Filipino youth leaders from Sulu on November 23, 2016 and 18 local community leaders from the southern border provinces of Thailand on September 21, 2016 respectively.

Additionally, supported by the Malaysia Embassy in Indonesia and attended by the Indonesian National Counter-Terrorism Body, GMMF hosted a luncheon talk on Countering Violent Extremism and The Concept of Moderation in Jakarta on October 4, 2016.

Targeted by the local stakeholders, GMMF organised a content creator’s workshop aimed at gathering comic artists and cartoonists interested in producing comic books and strips on preventing violent extremism which can be used for campaigns and outreach efforts on May 22, 2016.

Collaborating with Majlis Perwakilan Mahasiswa Malaysia Jordan, GMMF organised a seminar on Countering Violent Extremism in the University of Jordan on November 25-26, 2016.

Attended by 500 Malaysian undergraduates in Jordan, the seminar, featuring the Dean of Faculty of Islamic Studies of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Dr Wan Kamal Mujani and Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Unit Assistant Director, DCP Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, it was aimed at debunking the myths of Islamic State from the perspective of Islamic philosophy of moderation – Al-Wasatiyyah and encouraging the Malaysian youth to support the enforcement authorities in executing counter-narrative initiatives.

GMMF is a strong believer that moderation must be propagated across the board, and our targeted audience varies according to the moderation initiatives.

To illustrate further, given the multifaceted and expanding nature of the threat, our preventing violent extremism initiative follows some insights from the model of “Building Resilience against Violent Extremism: A Community Approach” proposed by Hedieh Mirahmadi, an expert in preventing violent extremism and the Founder of the World Organisation for Resource Development and Education (WORDE).

One viewpoint of the writer that GMMF pertinently concurs is that we should learn from “more moderate, inclusive governments like Tunisia and Indonesia”.

On July 11, with the permission of the president of Ennadha Party, Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi, who was a guest of the prime minister, GMMF conducted a media briefing session. The Tunisian leader praised Malaysia’s resilience in upholding Islam and fortifying a spirit of coexistence despite the complexity posed by a multiracial composition.

Similar to the Chinese proverb, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, GMMF is as such, and the sky is the limit for GMMF.

That said, GMMF’s doors at IOI City Tower Two, Putrajaya, ever welcomes engagements – from the like-minded to the naysayers, to contribute their time and resources in propagating the value of moderation locally, regionally and globally. – July 26, 2017.

* Jenny Wong is senior manager, media and communications at the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF).

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.