Coordination Meetings Across Five Iraqi Governorates for the Project to Combat Violent Extremism

As part of Iraq’s national efforts to combat violent extremism and promote social cohesion, Al-Mesalla Organization, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the governments of Germany and Denmark, organized a series of coordination meetings in five Iraqi governorates: Ninawa, Karbala, Anbar, Diyala, and Baghdad. These gatherings brought together local committees and representatives from official, security, academic, and civil society institutions.

The meetings aim to define each governorate’s local priorities in countering violent extremism and to activate the role of local institutions in shaping practical, community-driven initiatives that strengthen stability and shield young people from the risks of radicalization.

Ninawa
Ninawa hosted the first coordination meeting, with the participation of the Committee on Preventing Violent Extremism, local government bodies, and civil society organizations. Discussions focused on the governorate’s strategic priorities and on reviewing the project plan, which offers local organizations an opportunity to develop and implement impactful initiatives tailored to their context.

Karbala
The Karbala meeting brought together representatives from the concerned committee, civil society actors, and relevant official departments to address local challenges and articulate a shared vision to protect youth and promote societal resilience.

Anbar
In Anbar, the session was chaired by Mr. Yasser Rashid Al-Muhanna, First Deputy Governor and Head of the Committee. In his remarks, he emphasized:

“Local action is the cornerstone of efforts to counter violent extremism. The real safeguard against terrorism lies in cooperation among government institutions, civil society, and the wider community.”

Diyala
At the Diyala Governorate Building, the meeting was led by Mr. Hassan Mohammed Jassim, Deputy Governor and Chair of the Committee, with 19 committee members participating, including representatives from the National Security Service, Community Police, the Directorate of Education, human rights offices, and university faculty. Discussions highlighted the importance of engaging educational, cultural, and religious institutions in counter-extremism efforts and revitalizing local initiatives.

Baghdad
Baghdad’s coordination meeting took place at the Governorate Building under the chairmanship of Mr. Ali Zeidan Hamid, First Deputy Governor. Participants included representatives from the Departments of Youth, Labor, and Human Rights, as well as cultural organizations and community centers. The meeting focused on Baghdad’s local priorities for counter-extremism and reviewed the project’s strategy to support youth-led initiatives and promote values of tolerance and moderation.

Toward a Comprehensive National Vision

These coordination meetings mark the beginning of a broader national initiative that will extend to additional governorates across Iraq. They also lay the groundwork for launching grants for local organizations to submit proposals, creating broad opportunities to support grassroots efforts in countering violent extremism and fostering long-term security and stability across the country.