Presenter: Hon. Abdullah L. Kamara – Tech Entrepreneur, Philanthropist & Digital Literacy Advocate
Event: Muslim Congress of Liberia – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Theme: Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls in Liberia
Date: December 10, 2025
Location: Cape Hotel, Mamba Point, Monrovia

Introduction

In an era where digital platforms shape how people communicate, learn, work, and socialize, a new and dangerous category of harm has emerged: digital violence. During his keynote address, Hon. Abdullah L. Kamara delivered a powerful and eye-opening presentation on the growing threat of digital violence and its implications for individuals, communities, and national peace. His message explored digital harm from a contemporary, legal, and Islamic ethical perspective—offering insight, solutions, and a call for collective responsibility.

Setting the Stage: A New Frontier of Harm

Kamara opened by emphasizing how deeply digital systems have become intertwined with everyday life. This rapid shift has created online spaces where violence can spread quickly, anonymously, and without borders. Digital violence, he explained, travels faster than traditional harm, reaches larger audiences, and leaves permanent footprints.

What Is Digital Violence?

Kamara defined digital violence as the use of digital tools to harm, intimidate, misinform, or destroy someone’s dignity.
He highlighted common forms such as:

• Cyberbullying and harassment

• Online threats and intimidation

• Character assassination and defamation

• Exposure culture (“posting people”)

• Digital sexual exploitation

• Identity theft and impersonation

• Blackmail, extortion, and deepfakes

• Manipulated narratives and misinformation

He referenced real Liberian examples—false online rumors about national leaders and fabricated claims targeting communities—demonstrating how easily misinformation destabilizes society.

Why Digital Violence Is Growing

Kamara explained that several factors are fueling the rise of digital harm:

• Widespread smartphone access

• High youth engagement online

• Anonymity that reduces accountability

• Viral content spreading faster than verified information

• Low digital literacy and emotional manipulation

He cited two Liberia-specific cases—the Fula woman power-theft incident and the Red-Light Mosque misinformation crisis—both of which escalated into community-level tension because of unverified online narratives.

Impact on Society

Digital violence, he stressed, has deep and lasting consequences:

1. Mental & Emotional Harm

Victims often experience anxiety, depression, shame, and trauma.

2. Reputational Damage

A single post can destroy relationships, careers, and credibility.

3. Community & Religious Tension

Misinformation can inflame ethnic or religious divisions and spread distrust.

4. National Security Risks

Viral misinformation can mobilize crowds, spark protests, and undermine public order.

Kamara referenced the Kindness Wilson case, in which online bullying escalated into physical violence, showing how digital exposure amplifies and complicates ordinary conflicts.

Legal Perspective: Digital Harm in the Eyes of the Law

Hon. Kamara highlighted the importance of Liberia’s newly passed Cybercrime and Data Protection Law, which recognizes digital offenses such as:

• Cyber harassment

• Identity theft

• Non-consensual image sharing

• Defamation

• Unauthorized access

• Online threats and extortion

He pointed out, however, that laws alone are not enough—enforcement is challenging due to anonymous accounts, cross-border perpetrators, and limited digital forensic capacity.

He noted that many digital extortion cases in Liberia involve foreign SIM cards, encrypted messaging apps, and impersonation scams, making prosecution difficult without international cooperation.

The Implementation Challenge

Hon. Kamara outlined key challenges in enforcing cybercrime laws:

1. Limited investigative capacity among police and prosecutors

2. Cross-border nature of digital crime

3. Slow platform compliance from global social media companies

4. Low public awareness of digital rights and reporting procedures

He emphasized that a cyber law is only as strong as the system that enforces it and called for major investments in digital forensics, institutional cooperation, and public education.

Islamic Ethical Perspective: Digital Conduct as Moral Conduct

Hon. Kamara delivered one of the presentation’s strongest messages:
The digital behaviors society condemns today were already prohibited in Islam centuries ago.

He linked modern digital harm to classical Islamic teachings, noting that Islam forbids:

• Backbiting (ghiba)

• Rumor-spreading (namimah)

• Spying (tajassus)

• Public humiliation

• False witness

• Creating conflict (fitnah)

He reminded the audience that:
“A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands people are safe.”
In the digital age, he explained, the tongue becomes the keyboard and the hand becomes the smartphone.

He emphasized that privacy, dignity, and truthfulness are sacred, and violating digital privacy is not only unethical but sinful.

Digital Footprints and Accountability

Citing Qur’an 50:18 — “Not a word does he utter except that it is recorded” — Kamara warned that:

• Every post

• Every comment

• Every share

• Every recording

…is preserved and carries spiritual consequences.

Online actions, he stated, can become continuous reward or continuous sin, depending on how they impact others.

A Unified Response Framework

He also outlined a multi-level response approach:

1. Government & Institutions

• Implement the Cybercrime Law fully

• Strengthen investigative and forensic capacity

• Improve rapid reporting systems

• Integrate digital safety into national education

2. Communities & Families

• Teach digital responsibility at home

• Guide youth on respectful online conduct

3. Faith Leaders

• Promote Islamic digital ethics

• Mediate digital conflicts

• Support victims and encourage accountability

4. Individuals

• Verify information before sharing

• Protect others’ dignity

• Practice restraint and compassion online

The Path Forward

He  emphasized More that reducing digital violence in Liberia requires a culture where:

• Technology is used responsibly

• Law is respected

• Faith shapes digital character

• Communities support truth and dignity

• Youth are educated on digital citizenship

He stressed that digital safety is everyone’s responsibility—not only government’s.

In his closing Message

He ended with a powerful reflection:
“Technology does not make people harmful; it amplifies who we already are.”

If Liberians anchor their digital behavior in Islamic ethics, legal responsibility, and humanity, digital spaces will reflect the best of the nation: justice, dignity, compassion, and truth.