Singapore moves to counter militant ideology

A group of Islamic scholars and teachers set up to curb the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) threat in Singapore has been counselling people who actively read online material related to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) ideology and were referred to them by the authorities.

It is now also looking to counter ISIS' radical ideology, including through a more active presence online, videos, talks at schools and distributing pamphlets at mosques.

Dr Mohamed Ali, vice-chairman of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), would not disclose the exact number counselled or how they were identified.

But he said that "support (for ISIS) is there... (It's) a very small group, but growing".

ISIS' ideology has gained traction closer to home in recent months but Singapore has been lucky so far, Dr Mohamed said.

"We are fortunate that these individuals are identified by the authorities early, before they become deeply convinced of the radical narratives," he said in an interview this week.

"So they are receptive to explanations by RRG counsellors and can easily wean themselves off radical ideas they encounter."

ISIS, which has captured large swathes of territory and committed atrocities such as beheadings, has attracted about 15,000 fighters from all corners of the globe.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last week cited the influence the group might have outside the Middle East as a top concern.

A "handful of Singaporeans" joined the civil war in Syria, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean told Parliament in July. The Internet, he added, has been a game-changer.

Dr Mohamed, an assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, agreed.

When the RRG was set up in 2003 to counsel JI detainees, the Internet was not the main platform to spread radical ideology, he said.

JI members were indoctrinated by leaders who held classes in their homes to spread teachings.

Today, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are tools of the trade for extremist groups.

Self-radicalised individuals, Dr Mohamed said, are harder to pin down. "The Internet means we don't know who is a supporter unless they make plans to be involved in overseas conflict and the authorities catch them.

"We believe there are people quietly being influenced. But what's the true level of influence? It's hard to know."

But the RRG is taking steps to counter this new threat, he said. One way is through the Internet.

The group did not have an online presence when it started. It set up its website only in 2007, uploading material to dispel terrorist ideology. In 2011, it launched its Facebook account.

"Now, with ISIS, we know we need to do more," said Dr Mohamed.

RRG plans to produce and upload videos on why ISIS ideology goes against Islamic teachings.

It has published pamphlets on the Syrian conflict which have also been uploaded online and passed out at mosques. A pamphlet on ISIS is being considered.

RRG is also looking to hold talks for students from mainstream schools and madrasahs.

And it plans to reach out to non-Muslims. "We have to defend and clear the name of Islam. What ISIS preaches is not based on Islamic teachings, although they claim to act in the name of Islam," said Dr Mohamed.

Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Mathew Mathews agrees that inter-community efforts are important.

"It is important the Muslim community and the authorities help the wider Singaporean population to appreciate that Singaporean Muslims do not subscribe to extreme ideologies," he said.

The RRG's plans are expected to be launched in the coming months.

This article was first published on Sep 26, 2014.
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