While Arab society faces a sharp rise in violence and crime that undermines citizens' sense of security, and against the backdrop of marking 1,000 days of the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, the Ministry of Interior and the Open University held an appreciation conference and graduation ceremony. The ceremony was held for 58 Muslim religious leaders (Imams) from Arab localities across the country who successfully completed the first cohort of the academic program for addressing violence and crime in the community. This is a joint, first-of-its-kind initiative by the Department of Religious Communities in the Ministry of Interior and the Unit for the Advancement of Educators at the Open University, aimed at generating a response from within the community itself.
Studies for the first cohort took place at the university campus in Ra'anana and at the study center in Shefa-'Amr. During the training, participants attended lectures by experts in the field and examined various global models for addressing community crime, with an emphasis on creating solutions through the fields of education and employment. The goal of the training is to provide religious leaders with practical and educational tools to help them act to prevent violence, strengthen community resilience, and deepen cooperation with local authorities and law enforcement agencies. The Ministry of Interior noted that the success of the first cohort is expected to serve as a foundation for the continued expansion of the program and the training of additional cohorts of religious leaders nationwide.
The ceremony was held in the presence of President Isaac Herzog, with the participation of Ministry of Interior Director General Mr. Israel Ozan, Open University President Professor Leo Corry, University Director General Meir Bing, Head of the Task Force for Combating Crime in Arab Society at the Prime Minister's Office Attorney Roi Kahlon, and Chairman of the Israel Union of Government Employees Ofir Alkalay. Also taking part in the event were Head of the Special Roles Administration at the Ministry of Interior Lior Shahar, Director of the Senior Department for Religious Communities at the Ministry of Interior Iyad Sarhan, Institutional Commissioner for Arab Society Studies at the Open University Prof. Mustafa Kabha, Director of the Unit for the Advancement of Educators Dr. Orly Stettiner, Head of Training at the unit Sara Tal, and graduates' representative Sheikh Dr. Ihab Sherif.
President Isaac Herzog addressed the state of emergency in the localities in his speech: "The reality in Arab localities has become intolerable—gunfire, murders, threats, protection rackets, ongoing fear. This is an awful daily reality that we must not accept under any circumstances. Violence is not a decree of fate, nor is it a natural phenomenon that we cannot influence. The State of Israel has the responsibility and the duty to provide equal personal security to all its citizens, regardless of religion, nationality, or place of residence. The Shin Bet must be brought into this campaign without any reservation, and legislation must be advanced quickly, such as the Spyware Law, and of course, everything must be done to fight this, to eradicate this terrible cancer from our body, including through the use of social tools, such as the wonderful tool of community encounters, professional training, and the leadership of people like you."
Ministry of Interior Director General Israel Ozan emphasized the importance of religious leaders as agents of change: "Addressing violence and crime is a national mission that requires a partnership between the state, local authorities, and community leadership. Imams hold the status of leaders and educators in the community, and they are therefore capable of leading real change from within the community. The Ministry of Interior is proud to lead a first-of-its-kind program that provides them with practical tools to strengthen community resilience, promote shared responsibility, and build a safer future for the citizens of Arab society."
Prof. Leo Corry, President of the Open University, added: "Addressing violence and crime is a national and social mission of the highest order, which requires a broad partnership. In this context, the Imams carry immense significance because they can lead change, strengthen the values of life and mutual responsibility, and inspire the younger generation. I believe that the unique training they received at the Open University is a highly significant step on the path toward healing the deep wounds and stopping the ongoing pain of Israel's Arab citizens and Israeli society as a whole."
Attorney Roi Kahlon, Head of the Task Force for Combating Crime in Arab Society at the Prime Minister's Office, also emphasized the necessity of the initiative: "Addressing violence and crime requires joining forces across all sectors. Alongside the determined efforts of law enforcement agencies, spiritual leadership has a significant role in shaping values and guiding the younger generation. This unique training is an expression of a vital partnership between the state and the community, and it provides its participants with additional tools to strengthen community resilience, prevent violence, and save lives."
Lior Shahar, Head of the Special Roles Administration at the Ministry of Interior, expanded on the new model implemented in the project: "The Ministry of Interior is leading an innovative work concept that views religious leadership as a central engine for strengthening community resilience, promoting social cohesion, and addressing the challenges of violence and crime in local authorities. This unique project by the Ministry of Interior with the Open University puts into practice the concept that the Imam, in addition to his role as a religious leader, is also a highly powerful and influential social and community leader on the ground. By providing these academic and practical tools, we are empowering the capability of religious leaders to act as bridge-builders, lead targeted prevention and public awareness programs, and serve as a professional resource for the community and local authorities in the joint fight against violence."
Closing the lineup of speakers, Director of the Department of Religious Communities Iyad Sarhan summarized: "The struggle against violence and crime requires a broad partnership of all entities within both the state and the community. Religious leaders hold significant influence over shaping values, strengthening personal and community responsibility, and promoting a culture of life, mutual respect, and tolerance. The training of the Imams is a significant step toward building community leadership that will lead change from within society itself."