Fighting Terrorism

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Fighting Terrorism - Preventing the Radicalization of Muslim Youth In A Secular and Globalized World
20 February 2007
A youth convention by Taman Bacaan

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On Saturday morning, 20 February 2007, 300 students across junior colleges, polytechnics, secondary schools, madrasahs and ITEs were gathered by Taman Bacaan to learn and share their views regarding Muslim youth radicalization post the 9/11 incident.

The youth convention was the first of its kind organised by Taman Bacaan to bring Malay youths specifically together to discuss current affairs that directly pertain to them. For this convention, the hot topic of Muslim youth radicalization was the focus. Professionals from their various areas of expertise were invited to shed light on the topic, along with other political figures to share their experiences.

Highlighting the event for many was the question and answer session before the event was closed, where many thought-provoking and provoking questions were placed before the panel of experts to be answered. This session was kept strictly off the media, to allow for more ‘open’ discussions between the students and the panel of experts.

As coverage for this blog, a summary of the talks by the various experts and highlights from the question and answer session will be discussed and shared below.


Official Opening – The Changing Face of Terrorism

In the opening speech, the overall issue of youth radicalization was addressed; which is the fact that it actually exists and actions need to be taken to counter that ideology. The face of terrorism has changed – terrorist recruits are getting younger and they are also using technology to spread their word. This has called for Singapore to step up to come up with prevention measures to protect what it values most. However, obstacles, such as the increasing income gap and distorted teaching has, hindered such efforts.


The Psychology of Militant Groups

Exclusive to this convention only, the MHA has divulged their findings on the psychology of terrorists to the public. It has been revealed that there is actually a methodology behind the brainwashing done by terrorists, which is done at five levels.

At level one, the victims need to desire good but are offered negative solutions. They are on the constant search for the meaning in their lives. At this innocent ideological state of mind, the terrorist groups present their ideas to them as pure, in religious terms, and do not reveal their eventual agenda just yet.

Cultivation begins at level two, where the thoughts of the victims get reformed. This is done in six steps:
1. Not having the victim aware of their thought reform
2. Controlling the physical and psychological environment of the victim
3. Making the victim feel powerless and dependant on the terrorist group
4. Suppressing the victim’s old ideology and attitudes
5. Instilling new ideology within the victim
6. Creating a closed system of logic within the victim

Level three introduces the victim to the terrorist organisation officially by having them controlled and undergoing an introduction rite, where they are made obligated to obey by a ‘religious pledge’ called the ‘Bai’ah’.

The notion of violence is taught at level four, where the victims are made morally disengaged for the purpose of establishing a utopian world against the enemy that makes violence appropriate.

Last of all, at level five, the victim is allowed to be involved in ‘achieving’ that utopian ideology.


The Threat of Terrorism: Challenges and Responses

This talk proved to be the most engaging among them due to the visual elements presented. In the talk, the speaker addressed the true nature of the threat. They are out to strive for a new agenda, to become global, ideological and operational. The threat now is not based on terrorism, but in fact, extremism. Operations are focused on the basis of 10% effective and 90% engagement. Thus, the government needs to counter their ideology by bridging the community and creating greater awareness.


Understanding the Threat of Jemaah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia

To fight an enemy, we must first learn all we can about them. That was the foundation for this talk, which began with the history of JI. Jemaah Islamiyah started off as Darul Islam in Indonesia, by SM Kartosuwiryo. It became JI in 1993, with the introduction of Abu Bakar Baashir. Their organisation structure sections off Southeast Asia into four ‘Mantiqis’, each with a different purpose, with Singapore being in Mantiqi I along with Malaysia, for the purpose of raising leaders.

The Singapore cell was started by Ibrahim Maidin and was crippled when 36 of them were arrested.

Their capabilities are far reaching. They reach out through religious faith, focusing on brotherhood. They were found to be training new operatives between 2000 and 2003 in guerrilla warfare and assassination. All this is done to fulfil their objectives of a utopian ‘Daulah Islamiyah Nusantara’ and imposing Syariah Law, learned by a textual manual called ‘PUJI’, or ‘Pedoman Umum Jemaah Islamiyah’.

As an organisation that focuses on doing the will of religious faith, they focus a lot on military warfare to achieve their means. They present several reasons as to why one might join them; persuasive leaders, misunderstanding, commitment to a righteous love and Bai’ah.


The Roles of Religious Rehabilitation Group in Singapore

Last of all, the last talk presents to us a countermeasure that Singapore deploys against this terrorist ideology. The operations of the RRG are extricated. They work directly with the suspects to replace their negative mentality with positive inputs. One of their aims is to correct the misconceptions of several concepts that terrorists has presented. Their twisted version of Jihad implies a holy war, like a crusade, while its actual meaning is a constant strive for excellence that is asked of every Muslim. The concept of Al-Wala’ Wal Bara’, that differentiates the believers, Ummah, from the non-believers, Takfir, is actually just an indication of uniqueness. Hijrah in actuality is a migration of self, to change for the better.

It has then come into concern to correct the perception of Islam. It is a religion of guidance where moderation is the right path as it is meant to be easy, not to be taken in an extremist perception. Most of all, it encourages peace, love, harmony and friendship.


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