VIENNA, May 21 (Alliance News): President of the International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA), Muhammad Israr Madani, received widespread international acclaim during a high-profile UN side event titled “Frontlines of Hope: Showcasing Successful PVE Initiatives and National Policy Advances in Pakistan”, held alongside the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (34CCPCJ) in Vienna.
Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), IRCRA, and the European Union, the event highlighted Pakistan’s innovative efforts to counter violent extremism (PVE) through community-driven and policy-based approaches.
In a keynote address, Israr Madani introduced IRCRA’s flagship initiative—the Inter-Madrassa University Cricket League for Social Cohesion and Interfaith Harmony—as a pioneering project that uses sports to bridge gaps between religious seminaries and universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The league, involving five major madrassas and five universities, has successfully fostered unity, dialogue, and mutual respect among youth from diverse backgrounds.
Madani shared how the cricket league sparked a series of interfaith dialogue sessions and cultural exchanges, effectively breaking down stereotypes and building trust. He also presented personal success stories of participants who underwent positive social transformation through the initiative, which has since been hailed as a scalable model for grassroots peacebuilding.
NACTA’s Member for PVE, Dr. Khalid Chauhan, showcased Pakistan’s broader institutional progress in combating extremism, notably the country’s first National PVE Policy. He emphasized a “whole-of-society” model, involving civil society, academia, and government bodies.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN warned of the global threat posed by religious intolerance and stressed the need for integrated PVE and counterterrorism strategies. He urged for enhanced international cooperation to address the root causes of extremism.
UNODC Country Representative Troels Vester lauded Pakistan’s multi-tiered approach and reaffirmed continued UN support. The EU’s Permanent Representative to the UN also praised IRCRA’s community-level engagement, recognizing the critical role civil society plays in sustainable peace efforts.
Muhammad Israr Madani’s leadership and IRCRA’s grassroots efforts were spotlighted as a vital contribution to global peacebuilding, enhancing Pakistan’s image as a country committed to combating violent extremism through inclusive and innovative means.
