Mauritania’s female Islamic guides: Leading the fight against ‘extremism’
Summary
Mauritania has kept relative peace while parts of the Sahel region face violence and instability. Female Islamic guides called mourchidates, trained by the government, talk with prisoners and young people to challenge violent interpretations of Islam and promote peace.Key Facts
- Mauritania is located in West Africa, near the Sahel, a region with growing armed conflict and instability.
- Mourchidates are female religious guides trained since 2021 under Mauritania’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
- The programme is modeled after Morocco's mourchidates, started after the 2003 Casablanca bombings to prevent extremism.
- Mourchidates receive formal training in Islamic texts, law, and theology, enabling them to engage deeply on religious issues.
- They work in schools, mosques, hospitals, youth centers, and prisons across Mauritania.
- In prisons, mourchidates talk with inmates linked to armed groups to challenge violent beliefs and encourage peaceful alternatives.
- Their approach builds trust through long-term relationships and culturally grounded religious guidance.
- This program helps Mauritania maintain relative stability despite regional challenges in the Sahel.
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