Integrating Conservative Religious Actors in CVE

In light of the growing threat of violent religious extremism in the sub-Saharan Africa, ICRD has been exploring innovative strategies to counter the appeal of Jihadi-Salafi groups like Al-Shabaab. Specifically, ICRD aims to critically examine the constructive role that might played by conservative religious actors – who often possess unique influence with and access to those at-risk of radicalization. Drawing on field research with Salafi and other conservative religious actors (imams, religious students, and educators), ICRD has been developing recommendations for national and international policymakers and practitioners on how to more effectively integrate a range of religious actors and institutions into future initiatives.

Strengthening Civil Society Capacities in CVE in Kenya

ICRD is working to build and improve the capacities of local peacebuilding organizations in countering violent extremism (CVE). ICRD’s transferable toolkit and CVE manual has been implemented in a number of conflict spaces. These adaptable mechanisms have been tailored to address Kenya’s most pressing concerns regarding the spread of violent extremism.

Sudan Inter-religious Council (Completed Program)

In 2005, political leaders signed a peace agreement which brought to a close the 21-year civil war between the North and the South of Sudan that cost more than two million lives and displaced four million from their homes.

Two years earlier, thanks to extraordinary indigenous leadership on both sides of the conflict, ICRD helped to establish the Sudan Inter-religious Council (SIRC) consisting of representatives of both the Islamic north and Christian/African Traditionalist south. The SIRC was instrumental in paving the way for the peace process, and mobilizing Muslim and Christian religious leaders on a regional basis to work together in support of the agreement.