Shikarpur is being widely used by violent extremism outfits to garner support for their ideologies. The complex violent extremism dynamics facing this district include increased targeting of ethnic and religious minorities including Shia Imambargahs and Hindu businesses.
Multiple incidents of terrorism in the recent past have not been linked to any one organization, highlighting the complexity of the problem in the district. These groups are building and increasing their power base in the district by perpetuating hate narratives that are further exacerbating communal divisions.
Development Institutions Network [DIN] decided to mobilise and sensitize the community members to push back against religious and ethnic divides by helping revive traditional forums of poetry and communal gatherings that promote peace narratives and also help promote positive interaction between diverse communities.
During the “Promotion for Sect based Unity in Shikarpur” Project, community engagement activities such as gatherings of Local Poetry Recitation, Harmony Talks in the Community, and Peace Walks are organized within the villages of target Union Councils of the district. It was a great challenge for Development Institutions’ Network, to engage the local Molanas (Leaders) of the different sects such as Jamiat Ulma-i- Islam, Jamait-i- Islami, Mutahida Wahidatul Muslimeen and Dawat-i- Islami in all the Project activities.
In order to ensure the utmost participation of local sect leaders in Project activities, DIN team held the coordination meetings’ and strong communication with 27 local sect leaders to motivate them to play the vital role for the Promotion of Peace and sectarian Harmony in the community.
As a positive result, 16 local sect leaders participated and contributed in Local Poetry Recital Gatherings (Sughar Kacheris) and especially in the Harmony Talks in the Community and supported CVE Messaging in the awareness raising sessions. During these programs a total of 279 men and women received the CVE massages from Religious Scholars and asked questions about the contents of the Programs.