Al Shifa Home: A Model for the Rehabilitation of ISIS Combatants
Managing former violent extremists, especially jihadist-affiliated offenders, remains a global challenge. Indefinite detention is unsustainable, yet release without intervention carries serious risks. This paper presents practitioner-based insights from Al Shifa Home (ASH), East Africa’s first priva...
| Autores principales: | ; ; ; ; ; ; |
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| Tipo de documento: | Electrónico Artículo |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
2025
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| En: |
Journal for deradicalization
Año: 2025, Volumen: 43, Páginas: 176-224 |
| Acceso en línea: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Journals Online & Print: | Gargar...
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| Verificar disponibilidad: | HBZ Gateway |
| Palabras clave: |
| Sumario: | Managing former violent extremists, especially jihadist-affiliated offenders, remains a global challenge. Indefinite detention is unsustainable, yet release without intervention carries serious risks. This paper presents practitioner-based insights from Al Shifa Home (ASH), East Africa’s first private deradicalization center, offering a promising model for disengagement and reintegration. Since May 2023, ASH has supported 194 former Islamic State combatants through a 12-week residential program combining psychosocial care, ideological rehabilitation, and livelihood training. Early results show 90% mental health improvement, 75% reduction in violent intent, and only two recidivism attempts. Post-program, all participants pursued education or employment, with 33% countering extremist influence. ASH’s model draws on local cultural frameworks, strategic disengagement methods, and Koehler’s “re-pluralization” theory. This paper explores its theory of change, operations, and early outcomes, arguing for holistic rehabilitation that blends psychological, ideological, and socio-economic support. ASH offers valuable lessons for effective, humane extremist disengagement in conflict-affected regions. |
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| ISSN: | 2363-9849 |
