The Sadaqa project
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Sadaqa project worked in partnership with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MoIA) to promote peace and tolerance in Mauritania by strengthening and spreading key capacities required for countering violent extremism. This pilot activity partnered with MoIA to develop a strategy and approaches for propagating MOIA’s earlier successful efforts to counter violent extremism and support communities whose youth are at the highest risk of being recruited by violent extremists. The project provided MoIA with skills in facilitating public forums, conflict mediation, engaging youth, identifying violent extremism risk factors, and media and communications. The project then supported MoIA in leading activities with various groups, applying these skills to counter violent extremism. Through this activity, MoIA expanded its geographic reach and improved its ability to work effectively with local religious leaders and community leaders to promote peace and tolerance, thereby overcoming competing messages in favor of violence and extremism.
