APRIL 17 — According to Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of Islamic Affairs, women who join IS are often lonely and fragile “Lonely women who can’t sleep at night will stay awake and be online on their Facebook. They are still online on Facebook at 2am or 3am”. His remarks only provide an extremely oversimplified generalisation and are not coherent enough to provide the solution our government needs to combat the rapid ‘radicalisation’ of Malaysian men and women.
Radicalisation is a process where individuals embrace extreme socio-political and religious ideologies. They become enthralled by dangerous idea; consequently, these individuals will downright reject any notion of freedom, social justice and human rights that is understood in our progressive world.
International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, an organisation based in the UK, has identified three main reasons why some women may be inspired by to join: the alleged oppression of Muslim people, a desire to establish an ideologically pure Islamic state and a sense of personal religious duty to facilitate this process. Even though, some of the recruits may experience some level of culture shock — as they are thrust into a very different environment and made to live in a social structure that is incredibly misogynistic, the level of radicalisation they have experienced allows them to part with their families and leave the comforts of their homes – and this kind of reckless abandonment is dangerous to democracy.
Reports estimate that approximately 550 women from western countries have travelled to ISIS-controlled territories. So far, in Malaysia, a total of 173 Malaysians have been arrested for joining IS and the youngest recruit (to date) was 14-year-old girl. Past reports also emphasize the possibility of these numbers being higher as many other recruits have not been detected or have simply ‘fallen of the grid’.
IS has gained quite a reputation for being Internet savvy and skilled for spreading its radicalized version of religion through social media. Potential recruits are motivated by the romantic idea of fighting a divine cause and to rectify the wrong doings brought upon by the Western civilisation. Hence, many unassuming individuals fall for this heavily romanticized fallacy that also ‘promises’ some level of excitement and sense of adventure.
Reasons why individuals join IS vary from one case to another; each cases are highly complicated and has more to do with radicalisation than the quest of love, unlike what Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom insinuated in his statement (“Women who felt empty, alone and lonely, and decided to join the Isis militants, might end up falling in love”). The threat of IS is real and the atrocities committed against women; men and even young children are repulsive. Therefore, it is only in our country’s best interest that those in power refrain from making chauvinist statements that alienate and demean women. Sweeping statements that provide very little practicality and lack prudence are also incredibly hurtful to the families that are affected by these recruitments.
* Syerleena Abdul Rashid is DAP Wanita Bukit Bendera Political Education Director, DAPSY Bukit Bendera Secretary and Councillor for Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP).
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
