While scholars have focused on religion, particularly Islam, as a detrimental force in wars, this study investigates the healing capacity of religious traditions in response to war and displacement. We randomly assigned around 550 Afghan refugees to seven hours of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an Islamically integrated CBT (I-CBT), Islamic teaching, or an awaiting control condition. Three to six weeks after the intervention, I-CBT and Islamic teaching were as effective as CBT in reducing the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Thirteen to sixteen weeks after the intervention, the effect of CBT and Islamic teaching had faded while the impact of I-CBT persisted among those who were symptomatic at the baseline. As the first study to compare a psychological intervention with its Islamically integrated version and Islamic teaching, this evaluation highlights the positive role that Islamic traditions and religious institutions could play in healing the adverse psychological effects of war and displacement.

IPA supported the initial development of this study in 2020, including relationship building, administrative scoping activities, and preliminary qualitative research to better understand how violence in Kabul had impacted the psychological well-being of victims of war and what role religion played in the process of coping.