Indonesian deradicalisation programme fails to curb extremism
Although Indonesia has set up a deradicalisation programme to address the growing radicalism among Muslims, it has not been able to prevent the spread of extremism in correctional facilities. A recent analysis by researchers from the University of Indonesia shows that one member from a terrorist network like Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) can recruit, on average, four to five people during the country-run deradicalisation programme.
Kazi Abedur Rahman and Abdullah Alfarisi from the International Policy Digest argue in their recent article that a more effective way to de-radicalise the terrorists would be to provide proper religious education.
The recent terrorist attacks against churches in Surabaya and Lembantongoa were done by JAD and East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT), two terrorist groups that Kazi and Abdullah say lack any direct connection with any major religious organisations in Indonesia. The perpetrators of these attacks also did not receive any formal religious education and were mostly educated in non-religious institutions.
“It is because of a lack of formal religious background that these individuals were more vulnerable and became easy prey for recruiters. Since education is a common factor behind those who are radicalised, the government in Indonesia must bridge this gap,” says the article.
Source: persecution.org
