Middle East & North Africa

While prominent extremist and terrorist groups operating in the region have lost control of territories, they have shifted much of their activity online, making efforts to tackle radicalization in this region critical. The presence of extremist, violent extremist, and terrorist groups continues to jeopardize stabilization and security in parts of the region and globally. Although these challenges are shared across the region, they are not uniform in their nature or intensity, given the region’s complex and varied political and socioeconomic landscape. Responding to the interconnected challenges of achieving stability, rehabilitating and reintegrating communities and individuals that have been profoundly affected by extremism, violent extremism, and terrorism, in addition to building community resilience both online and offline, is a vital part of Hedayah’s vision of achieving a progressive global reduction in extremism and violent extremism.

Hedayah’s work in the region focuses on robust research, tailored capacity building, and integrated strategic communications programs to prevent radicalization leading to extremism and violent extremism. We work closely with national authorities, civil society organizations, youth, and religious leaders, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to build resilience against extremism, and we support community leaders working to prevent and counter extremism and violent extremism. Hedayah also contributes to stabilization by supporting communities and vulnerable individuals affected by extremism and terrorism, as well as through the effective rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists and violent extremists. Developing and implementing National Action Plans, as well as communication strategies to counter extremist and violent extremist ideologies and propaganda, and tackle terrorist use of the Internet.