scholarly journals Role of Religious Leaders in Mobilizing Communities to Counter Violent Extremism

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-47
Author(s):  
Shakeel Ahmed ◽  
Imran A. Sajid ◽  
Syed Irfan Ashraf
Keyword(s):  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
War On Terrorism ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Analysis Strategy ◽  
Building Community

Swat and Dir valleys in Pakistan have seen the brunt of post 9/11 violent extremism in the recent past. Because this extremism was generated and exploited by a few religiously motivated violent organizations, a popular perception emerged that all religious leaders of the society were involved in terrorism. Therefore, this research focuses on the role played by those religious leaders who involved themselves in mobilizing local communities against violent extremism. Employing a mixed-method research approach and sequential analysis strategy our data shows that most of the common local religious leaders played positive role in building community resilience to countering violent extremism during the early phase of the War on Terrorism in these two valleys.

scholarly journals Religion, community resilience and countering violent extremism in Dir Valley, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-227
Author(s):  
Imran Ahmad Sajid ◽  
Shakeel Ahmed ◽  
Beenish Ijaz Butt
Keyword(s):  
Significant Role ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Community Perception ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Peace And Conflict ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Building Community ◽  
Role Of Religion

The post 9/11 terrorism and subsequent wave of violent extremism has generated a significant interest in the role of religion in both peace and conflict. Religion is a significant part of the lives of a significant majority the global population. This realization has led policy makers to seek ways in which religious leaders can and had impacted the community resilience towards violent extremism. Swat and Dir valleys have seen the brunt of violent extremism in the recent past. This extremism was generated and exploited by a few religiously motivated violent organizations. However, we believe there were religious leaders who opposed this surge of violent extremism in those specific communities. This research aims at finding out whether religious leaders mobilized the communities for countering violent extremism. In order to do that, a quantitative survey was designed whereby a community perception was measured. The data was collected from 180 respondents from both the districts of Dir valley, i.e., lower Dir and upper Dir. Our data shows that religious leaders played some role in building community resilience. In terms of bonding, they played a significant role. In terms of bridging, they also played a significant role. However, in terms of linking, the religious leaders played a little role.

scholarly journals Human Beings and Safety: The Role of Community Safety Structures in the Fight Against Crime, Msinga Local Municipality, Dundee, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-32
Author(s):  
S. B. Singh ◽  
L. M. Zondi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Violent Crimes ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
Building Community

This article analyzes the significant role played by community safety structures in Msinga Local Municipality. The motivation behind this study was based on safety within the selected community, considering the increase in violent crimes there. It is rooted in the National Developmental Plan (NDP) of attempting to build safer communities by 2030, by building community participation in community safety. In ensuring that the aim of this study was achieved, a mixed method research design was used, which assisted the researcher to focus on both contesting the existence of community safety structures and exploring their significance in Msinga Local Municipality. Overall, the finding of this study revealed that community safety structures play a vital role in preventing crime within Msinga Local Municipality.

scholarly journals Drivers of Clan Conflicts: A Perspective of the Role of Al-Shabaab in Garissa County, Kenya

SIASAT ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Stephen, K. Rotich ◽  
Warfa, O. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Identity Politics ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Clan Identity ◽  
External Actors ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the drivers of intra-clan-based conflicts and the involvement of external actors that has remained indefinable in Garissa County. The three sub-counties: Garissa Township, Ijara and Fafi were purposively selected for the study because of prolonged and unresolved intra-clan conflicts coupled with militia group of Al-Shabaab attacks over the past years. Qualitative approach was used to seek understanding of drivers of intra-clan conflicts and involvement of violent extremism. The study involves primarily 35 Key Informants drawn from security agencies, Clan elders, Religious leaders and Civil societies across the three sub-counties. The study established that competition over natural resources: water; pasture and land are the main causes of intra-clan conflicts. The respondents attest that intra-clan conflicts have been accelerated by clan identity politics, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and Al-Shabaab infiltration. The devolution has elevated competition for political leadership due to sharing of county resources and employment along the sub-clans. The study found some respondents attributing Kenya’s military operation in Somalia to reciprocal attacks by Al-Shabaab in the county. The research established that over the years, Somali clan conflicts and hostility have spilled over into North Eastern Kenya, creating security threat and undermining community peace and cohesion. The porous border of Kenya-Somali has made it easy for some sub-clans to communicate with their kinsmen’s counterparts and obtain guns that are readily available in Somalia. The perception of injustices and sense of marginalization amongst the Muslims have provided fertile ground for Al-Shabaab which has diverted attention of security agencies to violent extremism rather than clan conflicts. The study recommends enhancement of inclusive peace committee and collaboration of community with administration and security agencies to tie together peace. There is also a need for openness of politicians to advocate for impartiality, clan conflicts resolution and countering violent extremism through policy framework in the county assembly.

Religious Leaders and Family Planning in Iran

2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heshmat Sadat Moinifar
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Islamic Tradition ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Government ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

AbstractAfter the Islamic Revolution of 1979, family planning programmes were dismantled in Iran; however, in 1989, the government reversed its policies and since then has had one of the most successful programmes in the region. This was conditioned, along with the socio-economic factors, first of all by the positive role of the Islamic jurists in this process. Religious leaders' position on family planning and the circumstances, under which it can be practiced, has had a direct effect on how Iran has achieved the family planning targets. In this article, an attempt is made to explore religious leaders' views toward family planning after 1989. The verdicts or the Fatwas of the Mujtahids in the context of family planning and issues related to it are discussed. After providing a brief review of different approaches on family planning in the Islamic tradition, the author elaborates the material through in-depth interviews with several prominent religious leaders including Mousavi Zanjani, Mousavi Ardabili, Ahmadi Miyanaji, Shobeiri Zanjani, and Ayatollah Sobhani to enrich the argument.

scholarly journals Drivers of Clan Conflicts: A Perspective of the Role of Al-Shabaab in Garissa County, Kenya

SIASAT ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Stephen, K. Rotich ◽  
Warfa, O. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Identity Politics ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Clan Identity ◽  
External Actors ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the drivers of intra-clan-based conflicts and the involvement of external actors that has remained indefinable in Garissa County. The three sub-counties: Garissa Township, Ijara and Fafi were purposively selected for the study because of prolonged and unresolved intra-clan conflicts coupled with militia group of Al-Shabaab attacks over the past years. Qualitative approach was used to seek understanding of drivers of intra-clan conflicts and involvement of violent extremism. The study involves primarily 35 Key Informants drawn from security agencies, Clan elders, Religious leaders and Civil societies across the three sub-counties. The study established that competition over natural resources: water; pasture and land are the main causes of intra-clan conflicts. The respondents attest that intra-clan conflicts have been accelerated by clan identity politics, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and Al-Shabaab infiltration. The devolution has elevated competition for political leadership due to sharing of county resources and employment along the sub-clans. The study found some respondents attributing Kenya’s military operation in Somalia to reciprocal attacks by Al-Shabaab in the county. The research established that over the years, Somali clan conflicts and hostility have spilled over into North Eastern Kenya, creating security threat and undermining community peace and cohesion. The porous border of Kenya-Somali has made it easy for some sub-clans to communicate with their kinsmen’s counterparts and obtain guns that are readily available in Somalia. The perception of injustices and sense of marginalization amongst the Muslims have provided fertile ground for Al-Shabaab which has diverted attention of security agencies to violent extremism rather than clan conflicts. The study recommends enhancement of inclusive peace committee and collaboration of community with administration and security agencies to tie together peace. There is also a need for openness of politicians to advocate for impartiality, clan conflicts resolution and countering violent extremism through policy framework in the county assembly.

scholarly journals How Effective is the Assessment Component of a Customized CLIL Program?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Işık
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Language Program ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
English Language Teachers

Considering the pivotal role of assessment, this study aimed to investigate the attitudes of the students and the teachers towards the assessment component of a customized content and language integrated learning in an English as a foreign language program implemented at the tertiary level in Turkey. It also sought to study its effectiveness as a tool for the integrated assessment of language and content. Data were obtained by a mixed-method research approach from 525 university freshman students and 17 English language teachers via questionnaires and follow-up interviews with the teachers and the students. The results indicated that both the students and the teachers developed positive attitudes towards the assessment component of content and language integrated learning. The assessment component was also found to be an adequate tool for the integrated assessment of content and language.

scholarly journals Financial Technology and Financial Inclusion on MSME:Mixed-Method Research Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-236
Author(s):  
Lela Nurlaela Wati ◽  
Heri Isprihayadi ◽  
Khoirun Nisa ◽  
Mohamad Lutfi ◽  
Imam Suprapta
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Payment Systems ◽  
The Government ◽  
Financial Technology

This study aims to examine the role of financial technology in increasing financial inclusion in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. This research uses mixed-method research with sequential mixed methods especially sequential explanatory strategy. In the first phase, 116 questionnaires were given to respondents as many as 116 MSMEs then conducted interviews with respondents and related parties in depth. Empirical evidence shows that the role of Financial Technology has a positive and significant effect on Financial Inclusion. These results indicate that fintech can increase financial inclusion. Based on interviews, fintech products that are often used by MSMEs are third-party payment systems and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) type of payment systems. Examples of platforms that are often used by MSMEs are Go food, Gopay, Grab food, OVO, JakOne, M-Banking, and SMS Banking. For the Crowdfunding fintech type, it has not been implemented by many MSMEs. The large number of MSME entrepreneurs who have used fintech products in their businesses shows that MSME entrepreneurs have used financial services in the form of savings accounts so that it has an impact on increasing financial inclusion. Suggestions from the results of this study are the Government needs to conduct regular training on the use of financial technology to MSME actors, there are strong synergy and cooperation in developing a fintech system to improve the digital economic system at MSMEs. Regulations need to be updated with the development of innovations.

The power of norms to sway fused group members

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnifred R. Louis ◽  
Craig McGarty ◽  
Emma F. Thomas ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot ◽  
Fathali M. Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Anthropology ◽  
Normative Systems ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Identity Fusion ◽  
Group Members

AbstractWhitehouse adapts insights from evolutionary anthropology to interpret extreme self-sacrifice through the concept of identity fusion. The model neglects the role of normative systems in shaping behaviors, especially in relation to violent extremism. In peaceful groups, increasing fusion will actually decrease extremism. Groups collectively appraise threats and opportunities, actively debate action options, and rarely choose violence toward self or others.

Are Three Items Sufficient to Measure Sense of Coherence?

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Chiesi ◽  
Andrea Bonacchi ◽  
Caterina Primi ◽  
Alessandro Toccafondi ◽  
Guido Miccinesi
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Measure Sense

Abstract. The present study aimed at evaluating if the three-item sense of coherence (SOC) scale developed by Lundberg and Nystrom Peck (1995) can be effectively used for research purpose in both nonclinical and clinical samples. To provide evidence that it represents adequately the measured construct we tested its validity in a nonclinical (N = 658) and clinical sample (N = 764 patients with cancer). Results obtained in the nonclinical sample attested a positive relation of SOC – as measured by the three-item SOC scale – with Antonovsky’s 13-item and 29-item SOC scales (convergent validity), and with dispositional optimism, sense of mastery, anxiety, and depression symptoms (concurrent validity). Results obtained in the clinical sample confirmed the criterion validity of the scale attesting the positive role of SOC – as measured by the three-item SOC scale – on the person’s capacity to respond to illness and treatment. The current study provides evidence that the three-item SOC scale is a valid, low-loading, and time-saving instrument for research purposes on large sample.

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