RELIGIOUS MENTORING TO COUNTER EXTREMIST NARRATIVES: THE SRAM APPROACH IN THE UK

Abstract

Religious mentoring, which is a fundamental aspect of the Socio-Religio-Academic Mentoring (SRAM) approach in the UK and is used to address the issue of violent extremism by encouraging moderate religious interpretations and interfaith discussion. This paper assesses the process and effectiveness of religious mentoring in the community-based SRAM model in the UK by Stockwell Green Community Services (SGCS), in collaboration with other Muslimled organisations such as the Khatme Nubuwwat Centre (KNC) and Ash-shahada housing association. Through the lens of qualitative data that we gathered with the help of interviews, focus groups, and secondary reports (e.g., SGCS evaluations), we examine how faith-practising professionals mentor the participants to refute the extremist misconceptions of such notions as jihad (20 NVivo references). Results reveal that religious mentoring helps to strengthen ideological resilience, minimise vulnerability to extremist discourses, and assists in deradicalisation as there was zero percent reoffending rate among participants. Teachings about Pakistan include the importance of religious education in madrassas and universities that is taught in a culturally sensitive way. The article adds value to the literature of CVE by highlighting the role of religious mentoring in community-based interventions.