Concerns over the influence of extremist ideologies on young people have grown in recent years, with researchers and practitioners pointing to a mix of social, psychological and digital factors that shape vulnerability.

Interviews with counsellors, educators and former at-risk individuals suggest that exposure often begins in subtle ways, long before any overt signs of radicalisation emerge.A youth counsellor working with vulnerable adolescents in northern India, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject, said that feelings of isolation frequently act as an entry point.

“Most of the young people I meet are not looking for conflict,” the counsellor said. “They are looking for identity, purpose and recognition. Extremist narratives often package these in a very appealing way.”According to the counsellor, online platforms play a significant role in this early stage.

Content is often framed in simplified, emotionally charged language that resonates with personal grievances. “It doesn’t present itself as extremism at first,” the counsellor said. “It presents itself as truth, justice, or even empowerment.”

Educators and digital literacy experts say algorithm-driven platforms can amplify exposure by repeatedly surfacing similar content. A media studies researcher at a public university in Delhi noted that recommendation systems tend to reinforce engagement patterns.

“If a young person interacts with polarising or identity-driven content, the system feeds them more of it,” the researcher said. “Over time, this can create an echo chamber effect.”The researcher emphasised that this process is not limited to any one ideology or region. “The mechanism is structural rather than ideological,” they said.

“Different groups may use different narratives, but the underlying method of influence is remarkably similar.”Students interviewed for this article described encountering such content during routine social media use. One university student said that initially neutral discussions gradually shifted toward more rigid viewpoints. “At first it felt like learning something new,” the student said. “But over time, it became more about ‘us versus them’.”

Former participants in intervention programmes described how emotional factors often intersect with exposure to extremist messaging. A 22-year-old participant in a community outreach initiative said that during a period of personal uncertainty, online communities provided a sense of belonging.

“It felt like people understood me,” he said. “They had clear answers when everything else felt confusing.”He added that the shift toward more extreme viewpoints was gradual. “You don’t realise when your thinking starts changing,” he said. “It happens step by step.”Intervention specialists say that early engagement is critical.

A programme coordinator working with youth groups said that family members, teachers and peers often notice behavioural changes before individuals recognise them themselves. These may include withdrawal from social circles, increased rigidity in opinions, or heightened emotional responses to specific issues.

“The challenge is not to confront aggressively, but to create space for dialogue,” the coordinator said. “Young people respond better when they feel heard rather than judged.”

Experts consistently emphasise the importance of education and open communication in building resilience against extremist influence. Digital literacy programmes, which teach young people to critically evaluate online information, are increasingly seen as essential tools.

A school principal in Srinagar said that structured discussions in classrooms have helped students navigate sensitive topics. “We encourage questions rather than shutting them down,” the principal said. “When students feel safe to express doubts, they are less likely to seek answers in unverified spaces.”Community initiatives also play a role.

Local organisations working with youth have introduced mentorship programmes and extracurricular activities aimed at fostering a sense of inclusion. According to organisers, providing constructive outlets for energy and ambition can reduce susceptibility to harmful narratives.Mental health professionals highlight the need to address underlying emotional factors.

“Extremist messaging often exploits feelings of anger, injustice or alienation,” said a clinical psychologist based in Mumbai. “If those feelings are acknowledged and managed in healthy ways, the appeal of such narratives diminishes.”At the policy level, governments and institutions have focused on balancing security measures with preventive approaches.

Analysts note that enforcement alone is insufficient without parallel investment in education, employment opportunities and community engagement.The accounts gathered in these interviews indicate that while the pathways into extremism are complex, they are not inevitable.

Practitioners underline that timely intervention, supportive environments and access to credible information can significantly alter outcomes for young people navigating identity and belonging in an increasingly digital world.

The project is being implemented by the Makkah branches of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the environmental consultancy Netzero, reflecting a strong public-private partnership model.

This smart mangrove restoration initiative aims to expand vegetation cover, mitigate climate change impacts, and enhance carbon absorption, directly supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and advancing the Kingdom’s transition toward net-zero carbon emissions.

Digital monitoring will allow precise tracking of tree growth, carbon sequestration levels, and ecosystem health, setting a benchmark for technologically advanced afforestation projects and promoting transparency and accountability in environmental conservation efforts.

The initiative builds on a previous effort launched last November, which aimed to plant 175,000 digitally monitored mangrove trees capable of absorbing an estimated 21,000 tonnes of carbon over six years, creating a cumulative goal of 400,000 trees contributing to carbon neutrality.

By involving the private sector, the program strengthens collaborative approaches to environmental sustainability, ensuring high-quality project implementation while fostering innovation and accountability in climate action initiatives.

Mangroves play a critical role in coastal protection, preventing soil erosion, supporting marine biodiversity, and acting as natural carbon sinks, making this project a vital contribution to both ecological health and local community resilience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s broader agenda to enhance natural ecosystems, improve environmental quality, and position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in smart and sustainable afforestation solutions.

Governor Khalid Al-Mubairik emphasized that the project not only addresses environmental goals but also demonstrates how technological innovation can enhance natural resource management, offering scalable solutions for other regions facing climate challenges.

Through integrated planning and scientific monitoring, the initiative ensures that mangrove restoration provides measurable environmental benefits, strengthens coastal ecosystems, and contributes to global climate mitigation efforts.

The project also serves as a model for combining ecological restoration with digital tools, allowing authorities, researchers, and the public to access real-time data on tree survival rates, carbon capture efficiency, and habitat improvements.

Public awareness campaigns accompanying the project are aimed at engaging local communities, schools, and volunteers, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and encouraging participation in climate-positive actions.

By expanding green cover along the Rabigh coastline, the initiative enhances the Kingdom’s natural beauty, promotes ecotourism, and provides recreational and educational opportunities for residents while preserving biodiversity and marine habitats.

Officials highlighted that this afforestation effort is part of a comprehensive strategy to combat desertification, improve soil fertility, and restore degraded lands, creating a sustainable balance between human activity and nature.

The initiative’s focus on high-impact environmental outcomes and measurable progress reflects a commitment to global best practices in conservation, setting Saudi Arabia apart as a pioneer in climate-smart afforestation initiatives.

Digital tracking of the mangrove trees ensures that each planting is recorded, monitored, and analyzed for survival rates, carbon sequestration efficiency, and ecosystem enhancement, offering a transparent model for environmental accountability.

By combining government leadership, private sector collaboration, and technological innovation, the project exemplifies the potential for integrated approaches to achieve long-term environmental sustainability and resilience.

This landmark mangrove restoration project underscores Saudi Arabia’s proactive stance on climate action, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable development, while inspiring similar initiatives across the region and globally.

The program forms part of the Global Harmony 2 initiative, designed to promote cultural exchange and support broader development goals.

Organized by the Ministry of Media and the General Entertainment Authority, the cultural week aligns with national efforts to enhance quality of life and expand cultural engagement across communities.

Officials said the initiative also reflects long-standing cooperation and shared heritage between Yemen and the Kingdom.

Al-Eryani noted that the strong turnout demonstrates the value of such initiatives, which aim to bring people together through artistic expression and cultural storytelling.

He emphasized that the warm reception of Yemeni visitors reflects an enduring spirit of brotherhood and mutual support.

The minister also commended ongoing humanitarian and social initiatives that have benefited hundreds of thousands of Yemenis in recent months.

He said these contributions underscore the deep relationship connecting both countries and highlight the cultural week’s wider significance.

The visiting delegation included senior international representatives, among them Japan’s Ambassador to Yemen Yoichi Nakashima, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires to Yemen Jonathan Peccia, Chinese Embassy Charge d’Affaires to Yemen Zhao Cheng, and Turkiye’s Deputy Ambassador to Yemen Jihad Kocsuk.
Their presence underscored the global interest in Yemen’s cultural heritage and the value of cultural diplomacy.

Delegates and attendees praised the rich variety of displays, which featured traditional performances, handcrafted artifacts, and exhibitions showcasing Yemen’s regional diversity.

Many noted that the event offered an immersive experience that brought the country’s history and artistic traditions to life.

Pavilions throughout the venue recreated scenes from Yemeni villages and cities, providing visitors with a glimpse into local customs, architecture, and daily life.

Traditional attire from different regions was displayed, offering insight into Yemen’s cultural identity and environmental influences.

Visitors also enjoyed a range of musical performances and cultural showcases presented by more than 80 artists, highlighting Yemen’s distinctive rhythms, dances, and storytelling traditions.

The live showcases created an engaging atmosphere and allowed audiences to connect directly with the performers.

Craft pavilions featured silverware, bamboo products, traditional garments, and other handmade items that celebrated the skills of Yemeni artisans.

Demonstrations by craftspeople showed how local techniques have been passed down through generations.

Many Yemeni residents living in the Kingdom expressed their appreciation for the event, saying it provides an important space to reconnect with their heritage.

They noted that such cultural gatherings help reinforce identity while also introducing Yemen’s traditions to wider audiences.

Organizers said the event aims to support community cohesion and foster intercultural understanding at a time when cultural preservation remains essential.

They highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, which brings together government bodies, international partners, and cultural institutions.

Yemen Culture Week will continue until Nov. 28, featuring daily programs that include folk performances, interactive cultural workshops, and exhibitions dedicated to showcasing the depth of Yemeni culture.

Visitors can expect expanded displays, storytelling sessions, and activities that highlight historical narratives, artistic practices, and regional diversity.

As the event progresses, officials expect attendance to grow, reflecting increasing public interest in cultural exchange initiatives and community-centered events.

They said the cultural week stands as a meaningful platform for dialogue, creativity, and celebration of shared heritage.

The event brings together artisans, visitors, and cultural enthusiasts in an immersive experience that highlights the authenticity of Jazan’s traditional life, culture, heritage, crafts, artisans, craftsmanship, tradition, creativity, Saudi culture, cultural tourism, community engagement, local identity, cultural revival, cultural pride.

At the heart of the market is an interactive heritage pavilion that showcases traditional lifestyles, folk customs, and community practices that have been passed down through generations.

Visitors can explore displays featuring local games, traditional clothing, women’s adornments, and culinary delights that reflect the charm and warmth of the Jazan community, folk culture, traditions, culinary heritage, local art, cultural experiences, historical preservation, community heritage, cultural diversity, traditional lifestyle, tourism.

The initiative is organized by the Alrowad Youth Association and the Cultural House as part of the Year of Handicrafts, a national effort to promote and preserve Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural legacy.

The event beautifully combines education and entertainment through interactive storytelling and live demonstrations that connect younger generations to their cultural roots, youth engagement, cultural education, handicrafts, heritage conservation, national culture, youth empowerment, education through art, storytelling, heritage awareness, creative expression.

By reviving traditional crafts and showcasing the skill of local artisans, the market serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural continuity.

Visitors have the opportunity to participate in live workshops, learn from expert artisans, and appreciate the craftsmanship that defines the region’s creative spirit, artisan workshops, handmade crafts, traditional art, skill development, artistic heritage, local economy, craft promotion, creativity, empowerment, experiential learning.

The cultural market also contributes significantly to Jazan’s economy by providing artisans and small business owners a platform to showcase and sell their handmade products.

This not only supports local craftsmanship but also strengthens community ties and inspires entrepreneurial spirit among youth and women, entrepreneurship, local economy, creative industries, women empowerment, youth innovation, handmade products, local businesses, sustainability, inclusive growth, creative economy.

Every Friday and Saturday, the Cultural House hosts engaging workshops covering a wide variety of traditional crafts such as pottery, sculpture, embroidery, palm frond weaving, candle and perfume making, leather arts, Arabic calligraphy, seashell crafts, and jewelry design.

These sessions allow participants to engage in cultural learning while creating tangible pieces of art that reflect Saudi Arabia’s rich artistic legacy, pottery, sculpture, embroidery, calligraphy, weaving, craftsmanship, heritage workshops, creative skills, art education, cultural innovation.

Through these weekly events, the market has become a gathering place for families, artists, and visitors to celebrate the beauty of local creativity.

The lively atmosphere, filled with music, colors, and the scent of traditional foods, creates a memorable experience that captures the essence of Jazan’s welcoming spirit, family activities, cultural tourism, entertainment, community gathering, heritage celebration, creative culture, experiential tourism, festive atmosphere, local traditions.

The initiative not only preserves Jazan’s cultural identity but also enhances national awareness about the importance of heritage preservation.

By encouraging participation from schools, youth associations, and local communities, the event ensures that the legacy of traditional crafts continues to inspire future generations, heritage education, youth participation, cultural sustainability, national pride, identity preservation, traditional knowledge, cultural awareness, intergenerational learning, community spirit, heritage protection.

As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its Vision 2030 goals of promoting culture and tourism, the Jazan crafts market stands as a shining example of how tradition and modernity can harmoniously coexist.

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The Jazan crafts market symbolizes more than an event—it is a movement toward preserving cultural heritage while embracing progress.

It reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing dedication to nurturing creativity, empowering artisans, and connecting communities through shared heritage, unity, creativity, progress, sustainability, heritage revival, cultural development, artistic empowerment, national unity, creative culture, future generations.

The initiative focuses on planting over 11,000 seedlings in Rafha as part of a comprehensive afforestation plan designed to enhance green spaces, improve air quality, and combat desertification across the region.

The campaign aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision for sustainable development, aiming to create a balance between nature and human progress, environment, sustainability, green growth, tree planting, biodiversity, reforestation, eco-initiatives.

The campaign represents a collaborative effort among government agencies, environmental organizations, and hundreds of volunteers from different parts of the Kingdom.

Participants, including students, local residents, and environmental enthusiasts, are contributing to the planting of native trees suited to the region’s climate.

Their shared commitment reflects the growing awareness of environmental conservation and the importance of restoring vegetation cover, community engagement, eco-awareness, climate action, tree planting, sustainable living, green projects, public participation.

Each seedling planted marks a small but powerful step toward restoring the natural ecosystem and promoting long-term sustainability.

The initiative aims not only to increase the region’s greenery but also to preserve soil quality, reduce the effects of desertification, and support the natural water cycle.

The project will play a crucial role in stabilizing the desert environment, preventing soil erosion, and protecting local wildlife habitats, soil preservation, desert restoration, wildlife protection, sustainability goals, natural balance, green environment.

As part of the Kingdom’s broader afforestation vision, the campaign also supports national efforts to combat the impacts of climate change and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.

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The Kingdom’s focus on reforestation has seen remarkable results in recent years. The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority recently planted over 3,000 seedlings in its nursery in the Jouf region, continuing its ongoing environmental projects.

These initiatives are part of a nationwide strategy to restore degraded lands and strengthen the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s ecosystems against changing climatic conditions, conservation projects, tree growth, green Saudi, environmental protection, habitat revival.

Volunteers from schools and universities have played a major role in the Northern Borders tree-planting drive. Their active participation showcases a rising environmental consciousness among youth and the community’s dedication to sustainable living.

Such volunteer programs encourage teamwork and foster a deeper connection between people and nature, environmental education, youth involvement, volunteerism, eco-responsibility, social awareness, green culture, community development.

The restoration efforts have already achieved notable success, with nearly 4 million seedlings planted across various regions of the Kingdom and over 750,000 hectares of land rehabilitated.

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The Kingdom’s greening projects are not only transforming the landscape but also enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents. Increased vegetation contributes to improved air quality, cooler temperatures, and more beautiful surroundings that inspire community pride and well-being.

This continuous commitment to environmental preservation sets an example for global green movements and underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable development, clean air, green future, eco-leadership, sustainable innovation, quality of life, environmental progress.

The Northern Borders tree-planting campaign stands as a powerful symbol of hope and renewal, reinforcing the importance of nature in the nation’s future.

As seedlings take root and flourish, they represent growth, unity, and the Kingdom’s promise to preserve its natural heritage for generations to come, green hope, environmental renewal, unity, national pride, eco-future, sustainability legacy.

The campaigns, spearheaded by the Ebsar Foundation, aim to promote public awareness about eye health, encourage early detection of vision problems, and empower individuals with visual impairments to live independently and confidently.

Amal Al-Hunaiti, CEO of the Ebsar Foundation, emphasized that the organization is working tirelessly to educate the public on the importance of regular eye check-ups, preventive care, and early treatment.

“Our goal is not just to treat vision loss, but to foster understanding, compassion, and inclusion for those who are visually impaired,” she said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Empowering Families and Building Awareness

As part of its October initiatives, Ebsar launched a special training program for mothers of visually impaired children, recognizing their vital role in nurturing confidence, education, and independence among their children.

The program equips parents with the knowledge and tools needed to better understand visual disabilities and support their children’s personal development from an early age.

Al-Hunaiti highlighted that empowering families is a cornerstone of sustainable inclusion. “When parents are informed and supported, children grow up feeling capable and valued. This is the foundation of an inclusive society,” she said.

Inclusion Through Community Engagement

Beyond education, the foundation has organized recreational outings and public engagement events for young blind people across the Kingdom.

These activities aim to build community bonds while teaching the wider public how to interact respectfully and confidently with visually impaired individuals.

Such initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of creating a society that welcomes all abilities, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for social inclusion and accessibility.

Participants have described these experiences as both enjoyable and transformative.

Through sports, cultural visits, and community activities, blind youth gain a sense of belonging and empowerment, while the public learns to see beyond disability — focusing instead on talent, capability, and shared humanity.

Health Awareness and Global Engagement

In addition to community programs, Ebsar Foundation will represent Saudi Arabia at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh later this month.

This participation reaffirms the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional leader in eye health advocacy, promoting innovation, education, and access to quality care for all.

Experts at the foundation emphasize that most causes of blindness are preventable if detected early.

Conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts can often be managed effectively with timely diagnosis and treatment. Ebsar’s campaigns encourage routine eye screenings, especially for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions.

Saudi Vision 2030 and Humanitarian Commitment

These awareness efforts align closely with the Vision 2030 National Transformation Program, which prioritizes the health, well-being, and inclusion of all citizens.

Through partnerships with government health authorities, schools, and non-profit organizations, Saudi Arabia is creating a more inclusive and health-conscious society where everyone — regardless of ability — can participate equally.

By highlighting the importance of both medical care and social integration, Ebsar Foundation’s initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to humanitarian progress and community solidarity.

The campaigns send a powerful message: sight is a gift worth protecting, and inclusion is a responsibility worth embracing.

As World Sight Day and White Cane Safety Day unfold, Saudi Arabia continues to shine as a beacon of awareness and compassion — ensuring that every citizen, regardless of visual ability, is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.