Islamic Values, Religious Practices, and the Reintegration of Juvenile Offenders in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study from Dir Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of Islamic values and practices in reintegration of juvenile offenders in Pakistan. The qualitative method was used for the collection of data. 25 participants including juvenile offenders, family members, religious scholars, community leaders and probation officers in Dir Valley Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were interviewed using semi-structured interview technique. The findings showed that Islam provides for the transformation of identities, a redefined sense of life goals, a reinforcement of informal social control and a limitation of recidivism through moral guidance and accountability. Through community-based religious practices, such as the activities of the mosque, tableegh (infiltrating) and restorative justice processes like jirga and sulh, barriers to empowerment like poverty, stigma and social exclusion are also being addressed. The study concludes that religion is an important tool in successful juvenile reintegration and also emphasizes the need for culturally and religiously oriented juvenile rehabilitation policies in Pakistan.