#4 Reverse Radicalism

Radicalism. What is it about? This issue that has stirred up much feelings amongst many is not something to be happy about. A radical, or also known as an extremist, is one who holds or follows strong convictions that are usually unorthodox. In this way, he strives to put his “extreme” views across to the opposing party in any way possible, ignorant to the feelings or the emotions of others. This subject of Radicalism has been brought up, one too many times, but people are just no able to eradicate it. It’s like a newly discovered disease that has been taking the lives of many and placing it under its wrath. Therefore, in my following opinion on the concept of radicalism, I will be touching on the news on “Reverse Radicalism” that was published in the latest TIMES Magazine.
From the news, I have gained sufficient knowledge to understand the concept on radicalism and why it’s so “dangerous”. Radicalism In my opinion is not a “touch-and-go” kind of thing. It basically requires the party involved to show lifelong commitment to the development of its radical groups. However, the formation of such groups is not of similar usefulness as compared to the formation of a political group or sorts. These groups fundamentally bring along fear and destruction along with their creation. Radicalism today is strongly associated with terrorism.

The main questions that were brought up in the news article were, “Why do people join terrorist groups” and “Why do people leave terrorist groups”. These two questions are widely arguable. “Freedom, justice, contentment, a sense of honour” is the few catch words that can describe why people join terrorist groups. As quoted from the magazine,
“…seem to join in search of purpose, excitement or status. They seem to be fighting loneliness…”
But how in the first place did these people even know that they would be awarded with what they presume such groups will have to offer them. This is where the biggest predicament lies. They enter with hopes, but end up in nothing but just dirt and dust. They are treated like slaves. In the name of upholding their religion’s pride and status, they are made use of, to do unsightly killings and devastating damage to all who stand in their path. They are sort of brainwashed into doing such acts. They are oblivion to their own wrongdoings, and eventually snap out of their trance and find out that they have just created a whole load of chaos in the world. This is the point of time, where they understand that even though they have the urge to fight for their religion, they shouldn’t do it in such heartless ways. This was shown by an ex- Jemaah Islamiah official who felt and knew that he was doing something really wrong from the start. Hence, his feelings took the best of him as he withdrew from the all time dangerous extremist group. He made reference to the Islam in his act and quoted,

“…It’s well defined in the Koran whom we are supposed to fight. It is therefore not justifiable to kill anyone who is innocent…”

His quote had really shown that the extremists who were fighting for the rights of Islam were actually going against their own religious rights by not following what the Koran itself had stated. This has made many members of such terrorist groups to ponder over their wrongdoings and has led to their withdrawal from the terrorist groups.

In that case, what is “Reverse Radicalism”? In layman terms, it is the process undergone by ex-terrorists to educate and enlighten the detained terrorists, and make them understand and relook into the fact that Terrorism itself goes against the statement of their religion. In this way, these detainees who achieve enlightenment act as a voice projection to the current ongoing terrorists to let them know that what they are doing is actually wrong, both physically and spiritually. This procedure of Reverse Radicalism is being put to the test in various countries including Singapore itself. I feel that it is really effective and efficient in the fact that there may actually be a possibility for the complete eradication of terrorism by terrorists themselves. It will, at the same time put a vital message to many onlookers around the world, and allow them to think the exact way when they are stuck under similar situations of smaller adversity. It states a message that whenever we create a problem for ourselves or to others, we are the only ones whom are able to fix it and resolve the issue. No one else knows what you are thinking unless it is expressed clearly to the target group.