Rising Above
Extremism

“I came from Pakistan and Afghanistan. I used my experience as an Immigrant over three continents to build a platform that challenges Radicalization: The belief that there is only one way to be and belong in the world.”

— SHIREEN QUDOSI

Services

Primer

Choose between multimedia educational materials, or request a custom curriculum based on your industry and needs.

Workshop

Book a speaker or workshop tailored for your audience. Events can held remotely or in person.

Planning

Working with your community and our experts to develop a long-term resiliency plan. (+3 month commitment)

What People Are Saying

“Shireen is one of the strongest voices in the field of counter-extremism. In order to fight radicalism, we have to understand what drives people to adopt, and act on radical and extremist ideologies. In the United States we treat extremism and terrorism as a nail and the only tool we employ is a hammer. Shireen's deep understanding of the drivers of radicalism, the mindset of extremists and terrorists and the tools that need to be brought to bear to counter the ideologies that drive extremism are invaluable as are her contributions in this field. ”

— MW, U.S. Army Special Forces, retired

Cultivating a Fellowship for human Belonging by

 

DemystifYing Extremism

Understand the difference between radicalization and extremism. Learn what distinguishes one ideology from the other, and how they overlap. Discover how and why today’s ideologies have gained access into mainstream acceptance.

Cutting through Noise

There is a lot of information out there with one chaos scenario catapulting into the next. Get the facts you need in the context of todays crisis points. Understand how today’s narratives “push” or “pull” individuals beyond the pale.

Sourcing Solutions

Trainings map human vulnerabilities and look at how recruiters operate. By addressing how extreme groups isolate and address the human need to belong, we can develop simple resiliency solutions communities and institutions can put into effect.

 

“Shireen takes a deep dive into controversial topics, subjects many others would steer clear of. Her work, writings, podcasts, and mission are driven by a commitment to excellence, integrity, and a search for answers to all of life’s questions. ”

— Jeff Schoep, Former Leader of the Largest U.S. Nazi Organization in the United States

“You did a great job with your presentation, I learned a lot, thank you. Very educated and informative. Not only will I take this knowledge in my personal life, but would love to share it with other's in the community. 10 Stars.”

— SECURITY PANElist, ALEC Conference

“This is an excellent program with a vital message that needs to be shared with as many people as possible. I think this information could also be adapted to apply to K-12 education. Thank you so much for all your do.”

— Anna Miller, Education policy analyst, Idaho Freedom Foundation

Richmond Hill, Georgia: A 6 month campaign bringing together communities leaders across faith, education, civics, and law enforcement in a collective resiliency training on how youth are vulnerable to gang and ideological recruitment.

Richmond Hill, Georgia: A 6 month campaign bringing together communities leaders across faith, education, civics, and law enforcement in a collective resiliency training on how youth are vulnerable to gang and ideological recruitment.

House Task Force on Homeland Security. Presenting on radicalization and recruitment.

House Task Force on Homeland Security. Presenting on radicalization and recruitment.

U.S. Congress: House Homeland Security Committee Hearing on Radical Islamist Terror.

U.S. Congress: House Homeland Security Committee Hearing on Radical Islamist Terror.

Meeting with Senate leaders to discuss preventing violent extremism

Meeting with Senate leaders to discuss preventing violent extremism

Meeting with Peace Over Violence, a Los Angeles non-profit that protects youth against gang-recruitment, gang violence, and offers mentorship and leadership development.

Meeting with Peace Over Violence, a Los Angeles non-profit that protects youth against gang-recruitment, gang violence, and offers mentorship and leadership development.

Muslim speaker panel on the importance of questions in faith. University of Minnesota

Muslim speaker panel on the importance of questions in faith. University of Minnesota

Field producing "I Was Radicalized" series with former neo-Nazi Frank Meeink.

Field producing "I Was Radicalized" series with former neo-Nazi Frank Meeink.

Gaining Perspective.
Deepening our Compassion.
Protecting our Communities.

“Thank you so much for presenting to us! It was a very informative presentation and very relevant to what is going on throughout the country. We truly appreciate it!

— Staff member, Terrorism Preparedness Hotline

“Shireen, thanks again for all the information you provided us here at 211 OC. Not only will I take this knowledge in my personal life, but would love to share it with others in the community.”

— 211 Orange County Staff

“The most effective thing in the training was using current events to tie into the subject being taught. Super friendly and informative! One of the best speakers we've had!”

— M. AHMED, EXTREMISM RESILIENCY TRAINING

It takeS a Village
…But it also Takes a Sophisticated Network.

Developing city, statewide, or regional radicalization resiliency programs are committed campaigns to protect your loved ones, your community and your constituents, against infectious and destructive ideologies.

Every community is unique, and we work with you to assess those needs. After an initial consult, we offer a custom, scalable action plan based on best practices as well as your areas of concern. We offer a primer, an initial roundtable with the community, and work with each designated aspect of the community through a team of experts.

Community, business, and civic leaders all work together in a guided hive mind to humanize radicalization and learn the skills and strategies to dissolve polarization when it touches the threshold of our lives. Developing such a program for a city, county, or state takes months to years of planning and execution. It requires the right leadership committed to generational change.

A collective step forward is crucial to prevention. Without a guided initiative, communities don’t carry a meaningful defense against either radical ideologies or the surveillance entities that programs and policies become against a civilian population.

planning large-scale solutions.

You get the information you deserve to have to keep your communities safe. You are supported as our team works with your community in developing an integrated action plan. Most importantly, our collaboration offers your community leaders the confidence and resources they need to create an impact rooted in human dignity. Your investment is a legacy of service and guardianship stewarding the next generation.

Former Extremists

Former extremists can speak to extremism similarly to how only recovering alcoholics can serve as addiction interventionist. From former Neo-Nazis, Al-Qaeda propagandists, to ISIS brides, those who walked the path are primed as guides and advisors.

Academia

On an average, academics are 20 years ahead of the curve in research and assessment compared to policy makers. A rolodex of academics across ideologies and disciplines are critical for framing and vetting any wide-scale initiative.

Consultants

Veteran consultants offer a ‘big picture’ road-map. Layer consultants experienced with logistics and planning, with conscious leaders with exclusive programs that address the issue beyond radicalization and into the heart of human belonging.

Studies over the last 40 years Show Rising extremism, with ideologies spilling into open conflicts.

In the last 10 years, those confLicts grEw more violent.

Now, those ideologies are splintering and merging with other beliefs, creating distorted new identities.

— SHIREEN QUDOSI

  • I recently spoke at the Global Counterterrorism Institute’s panel talk on “Women in Extremism" looking at why women join cults rooted in toxic patriarchy. The talk pairs storytelling -- accounts of my experiences with former extremist women, radical imams, and convert communities -- with field notes from our current culture wars, and asks the question: why do good women join bad ideas?

  • Once leading the largest Neo-Nazi organization in the United States, now Jeff is one of the few leading discussions on extremism in American politics in a post-coronavirus world. In an hour-long conversation, Jeff and I discuss whether psychological violence is the connective tissue between radicalization and violent extremism.

  • If we’re trying to understand what is going on with our boys, we don’t need to fight amongst ourselves, battling between grievance tweets on thoughts and prayers, pointing fingers on the constitutional right to carry arms, or nose-diving into political rage. That doesn’t do anything except drive a culture of acceleration that extremists thrive on. Instead we need to focus on the anthropological clues.