Partnering Up: How to Work with Religious Leaders to Counter Violent Extremism

Manal Omar, author and a vice president at the U.S. Institute for Peace, argues that to successfully counter violent extremism (CVE), practitioners need to address concerns that CVE strategies are designed only to serve Western interests. Thus, CVE programming should commit to an inclusive agenda, acknowledge an array of factors that drive individuals toward extremism, highlight the positive role faith can play in preventing violence, and establish partnerships with women and youths.