Arab and European officials and experts discussed in a conference, which kicked off on Thursday in Brussels, possible means to curb Qatar funding of terrorist organizations, especially after Islam image was defamed by the violent acts done in its name. The conference entitled “Gulf Diplomatic Crisis, Combating Funding Terrorism” was held in the European Union headquarters. It was organized by Brussels International Center for Research and Human Rights and Hedayah, the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism. European speakers agreed that Qatar is involved in funding terrorism. They also highlighted the necessity of finding European mechanisms to cooperate with the GCC countries in the field of combating funding terrorism, assisting Qatar in ridding from endorsing terrorists and returning to the GCC away from controversial topics. This was stated by Ramadan Abu Jazar, director and head of the research department, to Asharq Al-Awsat after the conclusion of the conference. Joost Hiltermann, program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group, said in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that the current dispute represents a huge problem and has consequences on the GCC. It also led to an instability in the region, namely North Africa, and there should be a solution for this crisis, he added. Ramona Manescu, member of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, said to Asharq Al-Awsat that the EU seeks working with everybody, and all states should exert more efforts to settle the matter. Manescu added that a look at the Gulf twenty years back, ten years back and now shows the difference, and this is a matter of interest for the Europeans because they want a partnership with the whole region and not with only one state. Hedayah chairman Rashid al-Nuaimi declared to Asharq Al-Awsat that he rejects any impartial standpoint from terrorism, “It is either you are with terrorism or against it, because neglecting the Qatari role in supporting and funding terrorism encourages this regime and others to proceed with this.” Nuaimi added that the “Qatari regime didn’t reform its condition, and still embraces dozens of terrorists whose names are designated on terrorism lists."