The Sakinah Campaign and Internet Counter-Radicalization in Saudi Arabia

{
  "authors": [
    "Christopher Boucek"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Saudi Arabia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Economy"
  ]
}

In The Media

The Sakinah Campaign and Internet Counter-Radicalization in Saudi Arabia

The prominent role of the internet in propagating and perpetuating violent Islamist ideology is well known. As such, identifying methods to short-circuit internet radicalization has become an urgent goal for numerous governments. Saudi Arabia has quietly supported initiatives to combat internet radicalization. One of the most developed programs is the Sakinah Campaign.

By Christopher Boucek

Published on Aug 25, 2008

Source: CTC Sentinel

The prominent role of the internet in propagating and perpetuating violent Islamist ideology is well known. The speed, anonymity and connectivity of the web have contributed to its emergence as a powerful source of knowledge and inspiration; it is an unrivaled medium to facilitate propaganda, fundraising and recruitment efforts. The vast scope of information available, coupled with the absence of national boundaries, facilitates ideological cohesion and camaraderie between disparate and geographically separated networks. A broad spectrum of individuals turn to the internet to seek spiritual knowledge, search for Islamist perspectives and attempt to participate in the global jihad. As such, identifying methods to short-circuit internet radicalization has become an urgent goal for numerous governments.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has quietly supported initiatives to combat internet radicalization. One of the most developed programs is the Sakinah Campaign, which began several years ago to fight online radicalization and recruitment. Named after the Arabic word for religiously inspired tranquility, the Sakinah Campaign operates as an independent, non-governmental organization, supported by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Similar to other counter-radicalization and demobilization strategies in the kingdom, the Sakinah Campaign uses Islamic scholars to interact online with individuals looking for religious knowledge, with the aim of steering them away from extremist sources.

This article originally appeared in CTC Sentinel Combating Terrorism Center, West Point

About the Author

Christopher Boucek

Former Associate, Middle East Program

Boucek was an associate in the Carnegie Middle East Program where his research focused on security challenges in the Arabian Peninsula and Northern Africa.

Recent Work

Q&A
Yemen After Saleh’s Return and Awlaki’s Exit
- Christopher Boucek
Q&A
Rivals—Iran vs. Saudi Arabia
- Christopher Boucek, Karim Sadjadpour

Political Reform Economy Saudi Arabia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
The Xi Doctrine Zeros in on “High-Quality Development” for China’s Economic Future
In the latest Five-Year Plan, the Chinese president cements the shift to an innovation-driven economy over a consumption-driven one.
Damien Ma
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
After Ilia II: What Will a New Patriarch Mean for Georgia?
The front-runner to succeed Ilia II, Metropolitan Shio, is prone to harsh anti-Western rhetoric and frequent criticism of “liberal ideologies” that he claims threaten the Georgian state. This raises fears that under his leadership the Georgian Orthodox Church will lose its unifying role and become an instrument of ultraconservative ideology.
Bashir Kitachaev
Commentary
Europe Is Falling Behind in General-Purpose Robotics. Here’s What It Can Do to Catch Up.
The continent needs to improve conditions for production of complete AI robotic systems and preserve its edge in hardware.
Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi
Commentary
Emissary
Europe’s New Industrial Policy Can Learn From U.S. Mistakes
Although the IAA often differs from the IRA, European policymakers can still take note of the U.S. act’s shortcomings.
Milo McBride
Commentary
Emissary
The Diverging U.S. and Israeli Goals in Iran Are Making the Endgame Even Murkier
The cracks between Trump and Netanyahu have become more pronounced, particularly over energy and leadership targets.
Eric Lob

The Sakinah Campaign and Internet Counter-Radicalization in Saudi Arabia

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Xi walking into a room with people standing and applauding around him

Commentary

Emissary

The Xi Doctrine Zeros in on “High-Quality Development” for China’s Economic Future

In the latest Five-Year Plan, the Chinese president cements the shift to an innovation-driven economy over a consumption-driven one.

Damien Ma

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

After Ilia II: What Will a New Patriarch Mean for Georgia?

The front-runner to succeed Ilia II, Metropolitan Shio, is prone to harsh anti-Western rhetoric and frequent criticism of “liberal ideologies” that he claims threaten the Georgian state. This raises fears that under his leadership the Georgian Orthodox Church will lose its unifying role and become an instrument of ultraconservative ideology.

Bashir Kitachaev

A white humanoid robot with a black head and hips stands behind a rope barrier. It stands with its feet apart, knees bent, and elbows raised at its sides.

Commentary

Europe Is Falling Behind in General-Purpose Robotics. Here’s What It Can Do to Catch Up.

The continent needs to improve conditions for production of complete AI robotic systems and preserve its edge in hardware.

Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi

Worker pushing machinery toward a car frame

Commentary

Emissary

Europe’s New Industrial Policy Can Learn From U.S. Mistakes

Although the IAA often differs from the IRA, European policymakers can still take note of the U.S. act’s shortcomings.

Milo McBride

Commentary

Emissary

The Diverging U.S. and Israeli Goals in Iran Are Making the Endgame Even Murkier

The cracks between Trump and Netanyahu have become more pronounced, particularly over energy and leadership targets.

Eric Lob