Project Description
Strategic Narrative: Moving Beyond PR in the Muslim Aid & Development Sector
Policy Brief
Summary
Muslim-led organizations are challenged by pervasive forms of anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence. Whether in popular culture, the media or in the political arena, these organizations are often viewed through a lens of suspicion, hateful rhetoric, false perceptions of their ineffectiveness, and are often wrapped in reactive actions such as countering terrorism funding rumors through financial audits. Designing strategic narrative moves Muslim-led organizations from communications and public relations to storytelling, creating a narrative that influences public policy and funding for the sector. Strategic narrative provides a proven way to engage in advocacy work, public policy, and public diplomacy. This policy brief provides recommendations addressing the need to implement a long-term goal of systemic change. It is based upon a landscape analysis and twenty-one interviews that included experts and scholars in the field of strategic narrative, the practitioners of nonprofit organizations, and policymakers. This research was part of the Zakat Foundation Institute fellowship program and summer capstone project at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy.
AUTHORS
