Countering Violent Extremism

The powerful role of religious leaders can play against violent extremism

In Tunisia, religious leaders play an important part creating and spreading moderate and peaceful narratives that counter those violent exe ones. trem On September 2021, 44 leaders, male and female within the religious community, from 24 governorates, came together to face and prevent radicalization, in a 5 days workshop organized by Hedayah Centre.

This photo essay provides images that give a glimpse of how Tunisia is, but most importantly, it takes a look at some of its religious leaders: members of a plural religious community working hand in hand for a better and more peaceful future.

Tunis, Djerba, Kairouan. Tunisia, 2021.

Work commissioned by Hedayah Centre.

In the heart of Tunisia’s Capital, stands Al-Zitouna Mosque. It was built with 160 columns brought from the Roman ruins of Carthage and was one of the first and most important universities of Islam, where many relevant religious scholars have studied. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the heart of Tunisia’s Capital, stands Al-Zitouna Mosque. It was built with 160 columns brought from the Roman ruins of Carthage and was one of the first and most important universities of Islam, where many relevant religious scholars have studied.
Ahmed Zahani, an Imam, prays inside Zitouna. He talks about his experience tackling radicalization: “When I encounter young men pursued by violent extremism, I sit down with them and give them a sound religious foundation to counter dangerous ideas.” - Paula González Gavilanes
Ahmed Zahani, an Imam, prays inside Zitouna. He talks about his experience tackling radicalization: “When I encounter young men pursued by violent extremism, I sit down with them and give them a sound religious foundation to counter dangerous ideas.”
To prevent people being radicalized in their local Mosque. Religious Inspectors make sure Imams are preaching a moderate discourse. - Paula González Gavilanes
To prevent people being radicalized in their local Mosque. Religious Inspectors make sure Imams are preaching a moderate discourse.
The island of Djerba is known for its beautiful sea and beaches, but also for protecting a tradition of peaceful coexistence: for centuries, Jews, Muslims and Catholics have inhabited the island. - Paula González Gavilanes
The island of Djerba is known for its beautiful sea and beaches, but also for protecting a tradition of peaceful coexistence: for centuries, Jews, Muslims and Catholics have inhabited the island.
Saint-Joseph Church was built in 1848, in Houmt Souk, the main town in Djerba. At the time there was a large presence of Catholic Italian and Maltese fishermen. - Paula González Gavilanes
Saint-Joseph Church was built in 1848, in Houmt Souk, the main town in Djerba. At the time there was a large presence of Catholic Italian and Maltese fishermen.
Matteo Landa is currently a Priest of Saint-Joseph Church. He supports a diverse community and preaches Sunday Mass in multiple languages to a large congregation from all over the world. - Paula González Gavilanes
Matteo Landa is currently a Priest of Saint-Joseph Church. He supports a diverse community and preaches Sunday Mass in multiple languages to a large congregation from all over the world.
El Ghriba is the oldest Synagogue in Tunisia. The Island's peaceful coexistence was shaken on the 11th of April of 2002. A truck filled with explosives detonated in front of this Synagogue, killing 19 people. The attack was carried in the name of Al-Qaeda. - Paula González Gavilanes
El Ghriba is the oldest Synagogue in Tunisia. The Island's peaceful coexistence was shaken on the 11th of April of 2002. A truck filled with explosives detonated in front of this Synagogue, killing 19 people. The attack was carried in the name of Al-Qaeda.
Imam Said Gouja, recalls how the community came together "We spreaded a positive message in Mosques and sacred places, to emphasize the importance of coexistence and the religious pluralism, which has existed for many centuries in Djerba.” - Paula González Gavilanes
Imam Said Gouja, recalls how the community came together "We spreaded a positive message in Mosques and sacred places, to emphasize the importance of coexistence and the religious pluralism, which has existed for many centuries in Djerba.”
Perez Trabelsi is the leader of the Djerbian Jewish Community and President of the Synagogue. The attacks on the Jewish community have been very painful not only for them but for most Djerbians. - Paula González Gavilanes
Perez Trabelsi is the leader of the Djerbian Jewish Community and President of the Synagogue. The attacks on the Jewish community have been very painful not only for them but for most Djerbians.
Latifa Gharsalli, an instructor at the Kef Great Mosque of Kairouan. Women religious leaders play a major part in standing against violent extremism. They supervise and check if moderate discourse is being preached in Mosques. - Paula González Gavilanes
Latifa Gharsalli, an instructor at the Kef Great Mosque of Kairouan. Women religious leaders play a major part in standing against violent extremism. They supervise and check if moderate discourse is being preached in Mosques.
“There is a real need for female religious instructors. Women are also Muslims, and they have religious. Often, women aren’t comfortable seeking advice from a male Imam, they rather talk to a female instructor,” said Awatef Thabti, a Religious Instructor. - Paula González Gavilanes
“There is a real need for female religious instructors. Women are also Muslims, and they have religious. Often, women aren’t comfortable seeking advice from a male Imam, they rather talk to a female instructor,” said Awatef Thabti, a Religious Instructor.
After losing too many citizens to the Islamic State, and having suffered horrific attacks, Tunisia knows that preventing violent extremism it's fundamental to keep its population safe. - Paula González Gavilanes
After losing too many citizens to the Islamic State, and having suffered horrific attacks, Tunisia knows that preventing violent extremism it's fundamental to keep its population safe.
In the heart of Tunisia’s Capital, stands Al-Zitouna Mosque. It was built with 160 columns brought from the Roman ruins of Carthage and was one of the first and most important universities of Islam, where many relevant religious scholars have studied. - Paula González Gavilanes
Ahmed Zahani, an Imam, prays inside Zitouna. He talks about his experience tackling radicalization: “When I encounter young men pursued by violent extremism, I sit down with them and give them a sound religious foundation to counter dangerous ideas.” - Paula González Gavilanes
To prevent people being radicalized in their local Mosque. Religious Inspectors make sure Imams are preaching a moderate discourse. - Paula González Gavilanes
The island of Djerba is known for its beautiful sea and beaches, but also for protecting a tradition of peaceful coexistence: for centuries, Jews, Muslims and Catholics have inhabited the island. - Paula González Gavilanes
Saint-Joseph Church was built in 1848, in Houmt Souk, the main town in Djerba. At the time there was a large presence of Catholic Italian and Maltese fishermen. - Paula González Gavilanes
Matteo Landa is currently a Priest of Saint-Joseph Church. He supports a diverse community and preaches Sunday Mass in multiple languages to a large congregation from all over the world. - Paula González Gavilanes
El Ghriba is the oldest Synagogue in Tunisia. The Island's peaceful coexistence was shaken on the 11th of April of 2002. A truck filled with explosives detonated in front of this Synagogue, killing 19 people. The attack was carried in the name of Al-Qaeda. - Paula González Gavilanes
Imam Said Gouja, recalls how the community came together "We spreaded a positive message in Mosques and sacred places, to emphasize the importance of coexistence and the religious pluralism, which has existed for many centuries in Djerba.” - Paula González Gavilanes
Perez Trabelsi is the leader of the Djerbian Jewish Community and President of the Synagogue. The attacks on the Jewish community have been very painful not only for them but for most Djerbians. - Paula González Gavilanes
Latifa Gharsalli, an instructor at the Kef Great Mosque of Kairouan. Women religious leaders play a major part in standing against violent extremism. They supervise and check if moderate discourse is being preached in Mosques. - Paula González Gavilanes
“There is a real need for female religious instructors. Women are also Muslims, and they have religious. Often, women aren’t comfortable seeking advice from a male Imam, they rather talk to a female instructor,” said Awatef Thabti, a Religious Instructor. - Paula González Gavilanes
After losing too many citizens to the Islamic State, and having suffered horrific attacks, Tunisia knows that preventing violent extremism it's fundamental to keep its population safe. - Paula González Gavilanes
To read the full story CLICK HERE - Paula González Gavilanes
To read the full story CLICK HERE

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