Extremism Detox

A Singapore based Muslim Community group provides programs and counselling to counter extremist ideology. Since its inception in 2003, the Singapore-based Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has worked to counter extremist ideology by exposing the misuse of Islam and helping subdue and prevent radicalization of Muslim communities. The group composed of volunteer Islamic scholars and teachers, focuses primarily on countering the ideological misunderstanding of detained Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members and their families through counselling and other programs.

“For the JI detainees, rehabilitation takes on particular importance, as rehabilitation seeks to correct the offender’s misinterpretation of religious concepts and way of thinking”, according to the RRG website, which says it has conducted 1,500 counselling sessions. “This will not only prevent future criminal acts but will also convince them that such behaviour and interpretation is inappropriate and undesirable.”

Terrorist acts occur when the ideological motivation meets with operational capability and opportunity. Terrorist groups have a knack for disseminating their radical message in such a way that it tugs at the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. “The war on terror ought to be called the ideological battle against radical extremists who happen to use terror as a weapon to disrupt the conscience of the free and peaceful world”, according to the RRG.

When it comes to self-radicalization, individuals often adapt extremist views when they set out to become better practising Muslims, according to RRG.

“Incidentally, this was also the case with many members of JI who, when interviewed, considered religion as a topmost priority, above economic gains”, according to RRG. “Effectively, what they are saying is that in an increasingly secularized world, their search for excellence goes beyond material concerns; it is in fact equated to a search for spiritual meaning.”

The pursuit of filling that ‘spiritual void’ can lead people down the wrong path without proper guidance, particularly, the youth, and particularly, in an age when so much information is readily available on the Internet.

“A combination of blind fervour and shallow understanding of Islam among the youths is a lethal combination that can be exploited by extremists”, according to RRG.

Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean praised initiatives in his country by Muslim community groups like RRG. In August 2015, he pointed to a pair of teenagers the Singaporean Internal Security Department held on suspicion, on self-radicalization.

“This shows that anyone is susceptible to the appeal of ISIS’ (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s) online extremist rhetoric,” he told Channel NewsAsia. “Given that the armed conflict in Syria is likely to continue for some time, we can expect more such self-radicalized cases in Singapore.”

Added RRG Co-chairman Ali Mohamed, “the Internet is one of the biggest challenges, especially for the youth. They can be radicalized in very short terms, in very short moments. Just give them a few times to have a look at these radicalized websites, and they will be radicalized.”

One challenge remains, the degree of reluctance some teachers and preachers have, to counter these radical ideologies. They worry about being unpopular, while trying to project their knowledge and correct misconceptions, according to Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, mufti, an Islamic scholar, of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.

“So this is a psychological challenge that the Muslim community has to face,” he told Channel NewsAsia in August 2015. “Preachers and teachers have to stand up and develop self-confidence. They are part of the whole which has responsibility to guide youths.”

Expressions of reason and legitimate interpretation of religious principles and practices must be heard as loudly, and as often as, the toxic religious messages that permeate communities across the Indo Asia Pacific and make inroads globally through the World Wide Web. “More voices of moderation need to be heard from the local community, especially, the religious leaders and scholars, as more counter-extremist websites need to be created,” according to the RRG. “One of the most important lessons that can be learned and drawn by the Singapore experience is that active and continuous engagement with the Muslim community is vital in the fight against extremism. Cooperation with governments in the (region) and internally is crucial to keep abreast of the latest developments and radicalization trends. Ultimately, it is only when we challenge ideas with ideas that hearts and minds may ultimately be changed.”

Courtesy: Indo-Asia-Pacific Defence Forum