A Qualitative Content Analysis of Community-Led and Socio-Religio-Academic Narratives in Countering Violent Extremism in the UK and Pakistan

Qureshi, Toaha; Akbar, Rafaqat Ali

doi:10.52541/isiri.v65i1.7419

Research Article (Vol. 65(1)) 2026

A Qualitative Content Analysis of Community-Led and Socio-Religio-Academic Narratives in Countering Violent Extremism in the UK and Pakistan

Islamic Studies

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Abstract

This research paper is a qualitative content analysis of a community-led model employing a socio-religio-academic mentoring (SRAM) approach to counter violent extremism (CVE) in the United Kingdom and Pakistan. The primary objective of the research is to identify the elements of the SRAM strategy within the community-led model. The analysis of content was employed to identify primary components of the SRAM approach, including social, religious, and academic mentoring to develop critical thinking, resilience as an identity, and empowerment within the community. The comparative results encourage policymakers and practitioners to adopt ethical, inclusive, and adaptive interventions in both Western and Muslim-majority societies. This study would be recommended to improve the implementation of the SRAM approach in academic institutions in Pakistan, where community and religious leaders should be engaged in the curriculum planning so that mentoring-based modules could be integrated with traditional classroom delivery of content, increasing its relevance to specific contextual factors and value-based learning.

Keywords: violent extremism; socio-religio-academic mentoring; community-led initiatives; United Kingdom; Pakistan

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A Qualitative Content Analysis of Community-Led and Socio-Religio-Academic Narratives in Countering Violent Extremism in the UK and Pakistan

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31 Mar 2026

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Islamic Studies

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Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Islamabad

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0578-8072

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2710-5326

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65 (1)

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References 42

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“Independent Report: Independent Review of Prevent (Accessible).” London: UK Government, 2023). Last updated February 20, 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-prevents-report-and-government-response/independent-review-of-prevent-accessible.
Ahmed, Zahid Shahab, and Qamar Abbas Jafri. “Drivers of Violent Extremism in Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan.” Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 13, no. 3 (2020): 230-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/17467586.2020.1821068.
Ahmed, Zahid Shahab. “A Critique of the Need and Application of Peace Education in Pakistan.” Asian Journal of Peacebuilding 6, no. 1 (2018): 99-112. https://doi.org/10.18588/201805.00a055.
Awan, Imran. “‘I Am a Muslim not an Extremist’: How the Prevent Strategy Has Constructed a ‘Suspect’ Community.” Politics & Policy 40, no. 6 (2012): 1158-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00397.x.
Barrett, Richard. “Beyond the Caliphate: Foreign Fighters and the Threat of Returnees.” New York: The Soufan Center, 2017. https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Beyond-the-Caliphate-Foreign-Fighters-and-the-Threat-of-Returnees-TSC-Report-October-2017-v3.pdf.
Basit, Abdul. “Countering Violent Extremism: Evaluating Pakistan’s Counter-Radicalisation and De-Radicalisation Initiatives.” IPRI Journal 15, no. 2 (2015): 44-68. https://ipripak.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/3-art-s-15.pdf.
Bengtsson, Mariette. “How to Plan and Perform a Qualitative Study Using Content Analysis NursingPlus Open 2 (2016): 8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001.
Bhatti, Muhammad Rizwan, and Ali Shan Shah. “Countering Violent Extremism and Combating Models in Pakistan.” Journal of Development and Social Sciences 3, no. 4 (2022): 208-20. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2022(3-IV)20.
Borum, Randy. “Radicalization into Violent Extremism I: A Review of Social Science Theories.” Journal of Strategic Security 4, no. 4 (2011): 7-36, https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.4.4.1.
Boukalas, Christos. “The Prevent Paradox: Destroying Liberalism in Order to Protect It.” Crime, Law and Social Change 72, no. 4 (2019): 467-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-019-09827-8.
Briggs, Rachel, and Tanya Silverman. Western Foreign Fighters: Innovations in Responding to the Threat. London: Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2015.
El-Said, Hamed. New Approaches to Countering Terrorism: Designing and Evaluating Counter-Radicalization and De-Radicalization Programs. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Elwick, Alex, Lee Jerome, and Hans Svennevig. “Student Perspectives on Teaching and the Prevent Policy.” In The Prevent Duty in Education: Impact, Enactment and Implications, edited by Joel Busher and Lee Jerome, 55-75. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45559-0_4.
Fairclough, Norman. Critical Discourse Analysis: The Critical Study of Language, 2nd ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2013.
Heath-Kelly, Charlotte. “Algorithmic Autoimmunity in the NHS: Radicalisation and the Clinic.” Security Dialogue 48, no. 1 (2017): 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010616671642.
Ingram, Haroro J. Deciphering the Siren Call of Militant Islamist Propaganda: Meaning, Credibility and Behavioural Change. The Hague: International Centre for Counterterrorism, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.19165/2016.1.12.
Jaspal, Zafar Nawaz. “Threat of Extremism & Terrorist Syndicate Beyond FATA.” Journal of Political Studies 17, no. 2 (2010): 19-49, https://jps.pu.edu.pk/6/article/view/167.
Khyber, Lateef Hakim Zai, Shahida Aman, and Syed Rashid Ali. “De-Radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Juvenile Militants in Pakistan: A Case Study of Sabaoon.” NUST Journal of International Peace & Stability 5, no. 2 (2022). https://doi.org/10.37540/njips.v5i2.124.
Lederach, John. P. The Little Book of Conflict Transformation. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame, 2003.
Marsden, Sarah V. Stockwell Green Community Services and the SEED and PROSEED Projects: The Response of a Muslim-Led Organisation in Addressing Social Exclusion, Economic Disadvantage and Radicalisation. London: Middlesex University, 2008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258256811.
Mayring, Philipp. Qualitative Content Analysis: Theoretical Foundation, Basic Procedures and Software Solution. Klagenfurt: Beltz, 2014.
Mazerolle, Lorraine, Elizabeth Eggins, Adrian Cherney, Lorelei Hine, Angela Higginson, Emma Belton. “Police Programmes That Seek to Increase Community Connectedness for Reducing Violent Extremism Behaviour, Attitudes and Beliefs.” Campbell Systematic Reviews 16, no. 3 (2020): e1111. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1111.
Munir, Muhammad Ahmad, trans. “Paigham-e-Pakistan: National Narrative Counter to Violence, Extremism, and Terrorism.” Islamic Studies 57, no. 3-4 (2018): 299-310.
Orakzai, Saira Bano. “Pakistan’s Approach to Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Reframing the Policy Framework for Peacebuilding and Development Strategies.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 42, no. 8 (2019): 755-70. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2017.1415786.
Precht, Thomas. Home Grown Terrorism and Islamist Radicalisation in Europe: From Conversion to Terrorism. Copenhagen: Danish Ministry of Justice, 2007.
Qureshi, Toaha, and Sarah Marsden. “Furthering the Counter-Narrative via Educational and Social Grassroots Projects.” In Countering Violent Extremist Narratives, edited by Eelco J. A. M. Kessels, 132-59. The Hague: National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, 2010.
Qureshi, Toaha. My Journey: From Chak 444 to Buckingham Palace. Lahore: Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, 2024.
Ragazzi, Francesco. “Suspect Community or Suspect Category? The Impact of Counter-Terrorism as ‘Policed Multiculturalism’.” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 42 no. 5 (2016): 724-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2015.1121807.
Reed, Mark, and Rebecca Rees. “The UK Prevent Strategy’s ‘Fundamental British Values’: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Perspectives from the Education Sector.” London Review of Education 22, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.14324/LRE.22.1.33.
Sageman, Marc. “A Strategy for Fighting International Islamist Terrorists.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 618, no. 1 (2008): 223-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716208317051.
Shah, Samina Batool, and Riaz Ahmad Saeed. “Islamic Principles to Combat Radicalization in Academia: An Exploratory Study in Pakistani Context.” Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization 12, no. 2 (2022): 255-70. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.122.18.
Shanaah, Sadi, and Charlotte Heath-Kelly. “What Drives Counter-Extremism? The Extent of P/CVE Policies in the West and Their Structural Correlates.” Terrorism and Political Violence 35 (2022): 1724-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2022.2080063.
Sıddıkoğlu, Hidayet. “The Changing Perception of Islam in Pakistan and Turkey: A Comparative Analysis,” Bilig 92 (2020): 205-26. https://doi.org/10.12995/bilig.9209.
Silber, Mitchell D., and Arvin Bhatt. Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat. New York: NYPD Intelligence Division, 2007.
Spalek, Basia, and Lynn Davies. “Mentoring in Relation to Violent Extremism: A Study of Role, Purpose, and Outcomes.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 35, no. 5 (2012): 354-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2012.666820.
Stephens, William, Stijn Sieckelinck, and Hans Boutellier. “Preventing Violent Extremism: A Review of the Literature.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 44, no. 4 (2021): 346-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2018.1543144.
Tajfel, Henri, and John C. Turner. “The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior.” In Psychology of Intergroup Relations, edited by Stephan Worchel and William G. Austin. Chicago: Nelson-Hall Publishers, 1986.
Thomas, Paul. Responding to the Threat of Violent Extremism: Failing to Prevent. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781849666015.
Vidino, Lorenzo. Countering Radicalization in America: Lessons from Europe. Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 2010.
Wodak, Ruth. The Politics of Fear: The Shameless Normalization of Far-Right Discourse, 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2021.
Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad. Advancing Peace, Inclusiveness and Coexistence through Narrative Building. Islamabad: Islamic Research Institute, 2022.

[1] “Contest: The United Kingdom’s Strategy for Countering Terrorism.” London: UK Government, 2019. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/650b1b8d52e73c000d54dc82/CONTEST _2023_English_updated.pdf.

[2] “Independent Report: Independent Review of Prevent (Accessible).” London: UK Government, 2023). Last updated February 20, 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-prevents-report-and-government-response/independent-review-of-prevent-accessible.

[3] Ahmed, Zahid Shahab, and Qamar Abbas Jafri. “Drivers of Violent Extremism in Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan.” Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 13, no. 3 (2020): 230-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/17467586.2020.1821068.

[4] Ahmed, Zahid Shahab. “A Critique of the Need and Application of Peace Education in Pakistan.” Asian Journal of Peacebuilding 6, no. 1 (2018): 99-112. https://doi.org/10.18588/201805.00a055.

[5] Awan, Imran. “‘I Am a Muslim not an Extremist’: How the Prevent Strategy Has Constructed a ‘Suspect’ Community.” Politics & Policy 40, no. 6 (2012): 1158-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00397.x.

[6] Barrett, Richard. “Beyond the Caliphate: Foreign Fighters and the Threat of Returnees.” New York: The Soufan Center, 2017. https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Beyond-the-Caliphate-Foreign-Fighters-and-the-Threat-of-Returnees-TSC-Report-October-2017-v3.pdf.

[7] Basit, Abdul. “Countering Violent Extremism: Evaluating Pakistan’s Counter-Radicalisation and De-Radicalisation Initiatives.” IPRI Journal 15, no. 2 (2015): 44-68. https://ipripak.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/3-art-s-15.pdf.

[8] Bengtsson, Mariette. “How to Plan and Perform a Qualitative Study Using Content Analysis NursingPlus Open 2 (2016): 8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001.

[9] Bhatti, Muhammad Rizwan, and Ali Shan Shah. “Countering Violent Extremism and Combating Models in Pakistan.” Journal of Development and Social Sciences 3, no. 4 (2022): 208-20. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2022(3-IV)20.

[10] Borum, Randy. “Radicalization into Violent Extremism I: A Review of Social Science Theories.” Journal of Strategic Security 4, no. 4 (2011): 7-36, https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.4.4.1.

[11] Boukalas, Christos. “The Prevent Paradox: Destroying Liberalism in Order to Protect It.” Crime, Law and Social Change 72, no. 4 (2019): 467-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-019-09827-8.

[12] Briggs, Rachel, and Tanya Silverman. Western Foreign Fighters: Innovations in Responding to the Threat. London: Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2015.

[13] El-Said, Hamed. New Approaches to Countering Terrorism: Designing and Evaluating Counter-Radicalization and De-Radicalization Programs. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.

[14] Elwick, Alex, Lee Jerome, and Hans Svennevig. “Student Perspectives on Teaching and the Prevent Policy.” In The Prevent Duty in Education: Impact, Enactment and Implications, edited by Joel Busher and Lee Jerome, 55-75. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45559-0_4.

[15] Fairclough, Norman. Critical Discourse Analysis: The Critical Study of Language, 2nd ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2013.

[16] Heath-Kelly, Charlotte. “Algorithmic Autoimmunity in the NHS: Radicalisation and the Clinic.” Security Dialogue 48, no. 1 (2017): 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010616671642.

[17] Ingram, Haroro J. Deciphering the Siren Call of Militant Islamist Propaganda: Meaning, Credibility and Behavioural Change. The Hague: International Centre for Counterterrorism, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.19165/2016.1.12.

[18] Jaspal, Zafar Nawaz. “Threat of Extremism & Terrorist Syndicate Beyond FATA.” Journal of Political Studies 17, no. 2 (2010): 19-49, https://jps.pu.edu.pk/6/article/view/167.

[19] Khyber, Lateef Hakim Zai, Shahida Aman, and Syed Rashid Ali. “De-Radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Juvenile Militants in Pakistan: A Case Study of Sabaoon.” NUST Journal of International Peace & Stability 5, no. 2 (2022). https://doi.org/10.37540/njips.v5i2.124.

[20] Lederach, John. P. The Little Book of Conflict Transformation. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame, 2003.

[21] Marsden, Sarah V. Stockwell Green Community Services and the SEED and PROSEED Projects: The Response of a Muslim-Led Organisation in Addressing Social Exclusion, Economic Disadvantage and Radicalisation. London: Middlesex University, 2008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258256811.

[22] Mayring, Philipp. Qualitative Content Analysis: Theoretical Foundation, Basic Procedures and Software Solution. Klagenfurt: Beltz, 2014.

[23] Mazerolle, Lorraine, Elizabeth Eggins, Adrian Cherney, Lorelei Hine, Angela Higginson, Emma Belton. “Police Programmes That Seek to Increase Community Connectedness for Reducing Violent Extremism Behaviour, Attitudes and Beliefs.” Campbell Systematic Reviews 16, no. 3 (2020): e1111. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1111.

[24] Munir, Muhammad Ahmad, trans. “Paigham-e-Pakistan: National Narrative Counter to Violence, Extremism, and Terrorism.” Islamic Studies 57, no. 3-4 (2018): 299-310.

[25] Orakzai, Saira Bano. “Pakistan’s Approach to Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Reframing the Policy Framework for Peacebuilding and Development Strategies.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 42, no. 8 (2019): 755-70. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2017.1415786.

[26] Precht, Thomas. Home Grown Terrorism and Islamist Radicalisation in Europe: From Conversion to Terrorism. Copenhagen: Danish Ministry of Justice, 2007.

[27] Qureshi, Toaha, and Sarah Marsden. “Furthering the Counter-Narrative via Educational and Social Grassroots Projects.” In Countering Violent Extremist Narratives, edited by Eelco J. A. M. Kessels, 132-59. The Hague: National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, 2010.

[28] Qureshi, Toaha. My Journey: From Chak 444 to Buckingham Palace. Lahore: Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, 2024.

[29] Ragazzi, Francesco. “Suspect Community or Suspect Category? The Impact of Counter-Terrorism as ‘Policed Multiculturalism’.” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 42 no. 5 (2016): 724-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2015.1121807.

[30] Reed, Mark, and Rebecca Rees. “The UK Prevent Strategy’s ‘Fundamental British Values’: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Perspectives from the Education Sector.” London Review of Education 22, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.14324/LRE.22.1.33.

[31] Sageman, Marc. “A Strategy for Fighting International Islamist Terrorists.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 618, no. 1 (2008): 223-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716208317051.

[32] Shah, Samina Batool, and Riaz Ahmad Saeed. “Islamic Principles to Combat Radicalization in Academia: An Exploratory Study in Pakistani Context.” Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization 12, no. 2 (2022): 255-70. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.122.18.

[33] Shanaah, Sadi, and Charlotte Heath-Kelly. “What Drives Counter-Extremism? The Extent of P/CVE Policies in the West and Their Structural Correlates.” Terrorism and Political Violence 35 (2022): 1724-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2022.2080063.

[34] Sıddıkoğlu, Hidayet. “The Changing Perception of Islam in Pakistan and Turkey: A Comparative Analysis,” Bilig 92 (2020): 205-26. https://doi.org/10.12995/bilig.9209.

[35] Silber, Mitchell D., and Arvin Bhatt. Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat. New York: NYPD Intelligence Division, 2007.

[36] Spalek, Basia, and Lynn Davies. “Mentoring in Relation to Violent Extremism: A Study of Role, Purpose, and Outcomes.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 35, no. 5 (2012): 354-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2012.666820.

[37] Stephens, William, Stijn Sieckelinck, and Hans Boutellier. “Preventing Violent Extremism: A Review of the Literature.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 44, no. 4 (2021): 346-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2018.1543144.

[38] Tajfel, Henri, and John C. Turner. “The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior.” In Psychology of Intergroup Relations, edited by Stephan Worchel and William G. Austin. Chicago: Nelson-Hall Publishers, 1986.

[39] Thomas, Paul. Responding to the Threat of Violent Extremism: Failing to Prevent. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781849666015.

[40] Vidino, Lorenzo. Countering Radicalization in America: Lessons from Europe. Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 2010.

[41] Wodak, Ruth. The Politics of Fear: The Shameless Normalization of Far-Right Discourse, 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2021.

[42] Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad. Advancing Peace, Inclusiveness and Coexistence through Narrative Building. Islamabad: Islamic Research Institute, 2022.

A Qualitative Content Analysis of Community-Led and Socio-Religio-Academic Narratives in Countering Violent Extremism in the UK and Pakistan

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