Strategies in Counter
Extremism Theology (SCET)
The appropriation of Islamic traditions by extremists has caught many communities unprepared due to the obscurity and apparent sophistication of the arguments used. This combines a type of neo-conservative traditionalism with revolutionary political ideology couched in the language of theology. Issues such as modern global politics, interdenominational theology, and legal theory of state and war are far removed from the everyday concerns of the average Muslim community.
At the forefront of this challenge are the Imams. Muslim scholars in the community play a pivotal role: they interact with their congregations five times a day, run after-school madrasahs for children, deliver Friday sermons to the masses, teach classes and provide religious instruction. However, due to its classical focus, the traditional Imam training does not typically provide a systematic treatment of contemporary Islamist extremist ideology
SCET’s training programmes aim to provide an edifying experience for interested parties, enabling them to meet the challenges of extremism by
(a) providing a thorough grounding in the arguments deployed, and
(b) developing the knowledge base to effectively counter these with confidence and theological credibility.
Theology may or may not be the primary driver to extremism; it can, however, be used as a powerful tool for de-radicalisation. SCET’s aim is to safeguard communities by developing resilience against extremist indoctrination and promoting the rehabilitation of individuals impacted by extremist narratives.
Professionals
Experts in countering Islamist extremist ideologies in both prisons and the community, including one-to-one work
Authority
Holders of Ijazah from
prominent contemporary
scholars in Classical Islamic
Sciences
Inclusivity
Imams with appeal to a wide spectrum of the Muslim community due to multi-denominational backgrounds
Security
Civil servants and Home
Office Intervention
Providers
with national
security clearances
History
SCET was formed in 2017 by a group of Muslim theologians with
many years’ experience in developing and delivering
counter-extremism programmes for the UK public sector.
Vision
SCET provides bespoke training to upskill community partners
including Imams, teachers, front-line staff,
commissioners and mentors in counter-extremism.