Most of them are supporters of ISIS extremist groups.

That is according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs while answering a question from BERITAmediacorp.

Even so, the role of women in extreme violence and terrorism is rarely discussed. So, as the security landscape is changing and evolving, new efforts need to be taken to address it.

This includes deepening the understanding of the role of women in preventing and even promoting radicalisation, thus developing the ability of counsellors to deal with it.

Therefore, the Taman Bacaan in collaboration with the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) and Dr Noor Huda Ismail organised a seminar session on tackling extreme violence (CVE) entitled ‘Women and radicalisation’ with the Inter-Agency Aftercare Group (ACG) yesterday (18 Jan).

The seminar session featured three segments including presentations by the RRG and Dr Noor Huda Ismail – namely the “Challenge of Religious Counseling for Women” and “Women and Radicalisation”, the screening of a film entitled ‘Seeking the Imam’ and a closed-door dialogue session with the Guest of Honour, Minister of State, Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, RRG counselor, Ustazah Kalthom Isa and Taman Bacaan President, Mr. Abdul Halim Kader.

THREE MAIN ROLES OF WOMEN

Through the seminar, the three main roles of women are formulated in preventing or encouraging radicalisation.

First, women can be as violent as men.

Extremist groups rely on women to set strategies, recruit them as mentors and who will be appointed as religious fighters as well as benefit from the nature of setting aside the selfish desires of women.

The role and participation of women is often overlooked in incidents of extreme violence including as perpetrators, mitigating factors and victims.

Second, women try to spark extremism by conveying their ideologies online and planting these ideologies in their family members.

With the role of most women as wives and mothers, women can radicalise the family or prevent them from becoming radical.

Third, the internet and social media enable efforts to reach out to more people in a more sophisticated way. The messages to be conveyed can be targeted directly to female recruits and those who are already radical.

It also provides a platform where female extremists can continue to expand their recruit network. In fact, it plays a larger operational role in virtual space. The failure of anti-terrorism efforts to understand the way women become radical, supportive and encouraging violence reinforces the benefits of their involvement in extremist groups.

CASES OF RADICAL WOMEN IN SINGAPORE

In Singapore, the first local woman detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was Dian Faezah Ismail in 2016. She was subject to a Restriction Order (RO). She supported her husband, Mohamed Omar Mahadi who was detained for wanting to join ISIS.

The other two Singaporean women who became radical were Syaikhah Izzah Zahrah Al Ansari and Munavar Baig Amina Begam; both were subject to a Detention Order (OD) in 2017. They were also dealt with under the ISA for supporting ISIS.

The remaining 21 women are foreign maids in Singapore. Two of them are still serving prison sentences for financing terrorist activities. The others have been sent home after the investigation on them.

Source: BeritaMediacorp Singapore, 19/1/2021

https://berita.mediacorp.sg/mobilem/singapura/ada-3-peranan-utama-wanita-dalam-mencegah-atau-menggalak/4562606.html

Faishal: THE EFFECTS of extremism and terrorism on women need to be studied further, according to the Minister of State (Home Affairs and National Development), Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

Source: Berita Harian Singapura, 20 Jan 2021

How can we act to prevent it from happening again? Singaporeans are shocked by the news of a 16-year-old teenager planning an attack on two local mosques.

He is currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and is subject to a Detention Order.

The youth was influenced by right-wing extremist ideology and was inspired by Brenton Tarrant, the man who attacked a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand two years ago.

The Internal Security Department (ISD) investigation into the teenager revealed that he had made detailed preparations and planned to carry out the attack.

This includes buying a machete online and getting a vehicle to drive between the two mosques he targeted.

Of course, this is a worrying development. The horror planning of these young people has dire implications and effects, including the potential to crack the relationship between religious groups.

This incident also clearly shows that dangerous extremist ideologies can influence anyone.

NOT RELATED TO RELIGION

Radicalization (radicalization) or the process of a person becoming radical due to being influenced by extremist ideology is a global phenomenon that plagues many societies around the world.

It happens without knowing the background of age, gender, religion and race.

In the complexity of facing these challenges of extremist ideology, religion is often associated. For most people, the image of violence with today’s religion is very difficult to separate.

This perception arises due to the existence of individuals and groups of extremists who commit acts of violence in the name of religion. This fact occurs in the Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and so on communities.

Every act of terrorism cannot be hidden behind the name of any religion or belief because every religion teaches to respect others and preserve human values.

A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE PROPHET

Prophet Muhammad saw set a good example by actively promoting peace, tolerance, and compassion towards all people, both Muslims and non-Muslims.

For example, when the Christians of Najran had to perform their worship while discussing with the Prophet, He offered the use of his mosque, Masjid An-Nabawi for their worship.

Imagine how effective the Prophet facilitated their affairs, and this is an example of how the seriousness, goodness and actions of beautiful human relationships become the pillars of the solution to many of the world’s problems.

Therefore, our society is urged to stay away from the act of blaming a religion or pointing fingers at particular groups in the event of an incident like this.

What should be noted is how each religious group can convince each other that this incident is an isolated incident and not from the teachings of any religion.

REKINDLING THE VALUES OF HUMANITY

To deal with extremism’s threat more effectively, we need to create long-term strategies and holistic approaches, which is essential to ensure a useful and more practical effect.

There is no denying that family institutions and religious education are fundamental to fortify our youths from extremism.

The teachings of religion are very broad and what should be emphasized in religious guidance to our youths is not only a matter of worship but also a matter of morals and morals.

Among the main things that Islam teaches is the nature of love or mercy that every Muslim should have. This nature of mercy should be practised on families and Muslims only and all of God’s creations, including non-Muslims and other creations of God such as animals and plants.

If the nature of this mercy can be revived in each of us, then an identity or identity that values human values will be born. The value of this humanity is very high and is a pillar of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

GOOD EXAMPLE OF PARENTS

Just look at the example given above how the Prophet Muhammad saw non- Muslims with full manners, respect and love.

To inculcate human values and other moral values, the family institution plays an important role.

Parents can play a more significant role in ensuring that their children can be kept away from extremism and rigid orientation.

Among the things that can be done by parents, heirs or guardians of children is to have regular conversations with children in a relaxed but serious about the importance of appreciating every human being regardless of their background.

This method is a divine way to instil human values in them. Also, it is essential in familiarizing the parents’ relationship with the children.

For example, as parents, we should set a good example in our relationships and interactions with non-Muslim neighbours. Giving whatever help to non-Muslim neighbours even if it is just sharing food with them reflects good morals.

It also displays a very high value of humanity. If children can see their parents implement it, then the nature of love for all human beings can be nurtured from an early age.

REJECTING DANGEROUS IDEOLOGY

The arrest of teenager who was influenced by the extremist ideology of the right- wing is sure to be a concern and concern for all, both the government and the community.

This is because the ideology influenced by the teenager is a dangerous orientation that threatens the security of the country and society.
Understanding and orientation based on hatred and anti-religious attitudes of other religions are spreading widely on the internet. This is what worries me.

Today we live in a global village. The extremist ideologies propagated by them abroad have crept into our society through the internet and social media. Everyone, including children, also does not escape the grip of technology in this challenging era.

Furthermore, the tendency to use social media and online platforms in the COVID-19 era is another major challenge for the public to uncover false information that quickly affects the vigilant public.

MAINTAINING HARMONY

Extremist ideology, whether arising from the right-wing or Islamic extremist groups such as ISIS is also based on the ideology of hatred. Excessive feelings of hatred can cause harm if left unchecked.

Therefore, every member of society must continue to be aware of the dangers of this hateful ideology while rejecting all forms of discrimination, intolerance and all dangerous orientations and beliefs.

The effects and consequences of a violent act in Singapore are too significant on social unity and harmonious life integrity.

Come on, let us continue to work together as a society to maintain harmony and support the beauty of multi-religious life here.

It requires us to reject all kinds of heinous acts that could hinder our efforts to maintain a harmonious religion and life.

Source: Berita Mediacorp, 28 Jan 2021

https://berita.mediacorp.sg/mobilem/commentary/komentar-tolak-fahaman-pelampau-dengan-menyemai-nilai/4566684.html

The asatizah contacted by Berita Harian (BH) expressed sadness and shock following the case of a young Protestant Christian Indian who was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for planning to kill a congregation at two mosques here.

However, they are confident that the incident will not easily tear apart the strong cross-religious ties between Singaporeans.

“Singaporeans have long been prepared to face questions that will threaten inter-religious unity.”

“Young Muslims in Singapore who have been educated to respect each other and friends of other races and religions, need to set a good example to other communities that we are always ready to build a life together in this country,” said the Counselor of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), Ustazah Kalthom Isa.

The Chief Executive Officer of Safinah Holdings, a member of the Fatwa Committee, Ustaz Tarmizi Abdul Wahid, said he was shocked and worried when reading the news about the detention of the 16-year- old youth.

“When I read the news, it was very shocking and worrying as well.”

“First in terms of community safety, mosque staff and mosque worshipers, but another aspect is how a young person can be easily deceived by the extremist teachings spread on the Internet and as we know, this can happen to anyone, it can influence young people of any religion and race,” he said.

Therefore, he added, we should be more careful and take care of young people’s personalities, attitudes, and interests.

“Has he (the young man) ever expressed that he is not happy or hates a race or a society?”

“This is a lesson for all of us, and hopefully we all survive all kinds of threats or harms in society that can result in loss of life and also divisions and quarrels between races and religions,” said Ustaz Tarmizi.

Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Harmony Center, Ustazah Lina Sakinah Salim expressed her sadness for the youth “because he was stuck with extremist thinking at a very young age”.

“But I am not surprised if such a case can appear in our society because globalization makes the world like there is no wall that separates us from the elements out there that can affect anyone,” he said.

“Perhaps the wisdom behind this incident is that we need to work more closely between the Muslim and Protestant Christian communities, and other streams as well in talking about the violence associated with these two religions,” added Ustazah Sakinah.

The asatizah also called on the community to be calm in the face of the incident.

Pergas Chief Executive Officer Ustaz Mohammad Yusri Yubhi Md Yusoff told BH:

“Representing Pergas, we would like to call on the community, including the asatizahs, to remain calm on this issue.”

“Together, we are united in addressing this matter with maturity with other Singaporeans regardless of religion and race.”

Having a similar message, Ustaz Tarmizi added that Singaporeans need to be confident in the security forces’ ability in the country in dealing with issues like this.

My advice to the Muslim community here is to calm down and be confident in our prayers, with our national security forces such as ISD (Department of Internal Security), Home Team and MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs), confident that they will ensure that we will always be safe, “he said.

Meanwhile, Ustazah Sakinah called on the public to learn from the news and was thankful that Singapore had survived the threat this time.

“We must wake up and realize that this threat of extremist ideology is real – we must empower ourselves not to be easily swayed by voices of hatred in the name of religion, race or rank,” he pleaded.

“I hope the community is aware of the importance of inter-religious relations, not only religious leaders in the community who have good cross-religious concerns, but this good relationship should also be manifested among religious followers.

“Live up the true meaning of multi-religious harmony,” he said.

“But I am not surprised if such a case can appear in our society because globalization makes the world like no wall separating us from the elements out there that can affect anyone.”

Perhaps the wisdom behind this incident is that we need to work more closely between the Muslim community and Protestant Christianity, and other sects are also talking about the violence associated with these two religions.

We must wake up and realize that this threat of extremist ideology is real … I hope society is aware of the importance of interfaith relations, not just religious leaders in the community who have good cross-religious ties should also be manifested among the followers of the religion.

“Singaporeans have long been prepared to face questions that will threaten inter-religious unity.
Young Muslims in Singapore who have been educated to respect each other and friends from different races and religions, need to set a good example to other communities that we always ready to build a life together in this country.”

Source: Berita Harian Singapura, 29 Jan 21

https://www.beritaharian.sg/setempat/asatizah-setempat-yakin-perpaduan-masyarakat-kekal-utuh

These attacks have been described as responses to controversial cartoons’ republication, which reignited the debate about Islam and freedom of expression in France. When he was asked to respond to the waves of attacks, President Emmanuel Macron blamed ‘Islamism’. Before the attacks, he had described Islam as a religion “in crisis”, prompting outrage in the Muslim world [3]. His rhetoric inevitably led to France’s social instability and aggravated the problem of radicalisation that is still grappling France today.

Take Singapore, for instance; it is a secular state, and it is obliged to treat all individuals as equal citizens regardless of religion. The freedom to practice religion is protected.

Source: https://karyawan.sg/grappling-with-terror-how-france-can-tackle-radicalisation/