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Countering Radicalism: Shared Perspectives, Joint Action On 23 February 2008, 9 NYJC students and 2 teachers were privileged to participate in the Student Convention on Countering Radicalism: Shared Perspectives, Joint Action. at the HOME Academy in Chua Chu Kang.This was organised by Taman Bacaan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu Singapore with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at NTU & the InterAgency Aftercare Committee with support from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura. This student convention was held in conjunction with the launching of the book “Fighting Terrorism: The Singapore Perspective” The guest of honour was our own Nanyang alumni, Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, MP for Marine Parade GRC. He graciously presented the books to representatives from the junior colleges and SAP schools in attendance. (2 copies have been placed in the Drum).The guest of honour and the various speakers discussed various aspects of terrorism and radicalism today but there was a common thread which wove all their discourses together. Radicalism is not a new phenomenon and it threatens all societies. It is particularly explosive in a multi-racial and multi-religious society in Singapore. That is why there is a need for proper religious instruction in all religious communities. Religious instruction must promote the values of respect and understanding for all religions. Professor Rohan Gunaratna, a world renowned expert on terrorist groups and Head of ICPVTR at NTU in his keynote address stated that while religious extremism is commonly associated with extremist Islamists elements today, it is actually a problem faced by all religious and racial communities. He pointed out that there were Christian terrorist militias in Indonesian who committed acts of terrors because of their misguided interpretation of Christianity. Terrorist elements had also surfaced in Singapore in the past. This is included support for Sikh militants from some members of the Sikh community, support for the Tamil Tigers from some Tamil Singaporeans & the infiltration of the Catholic church by Marxist elements in Singapore. He also mentioned that extremism was not limited to religion. It also encompassed ideology: Communism in the 1950s and Liberation Theology in the 1980s. Combating radicalism is even more critical in today’s world as extremist elements such as Al-Qaeda has made use of the Internet to spread their ideology of hatred and violence. Even Youtube has not been spared. Terrorists have also dressed up their messages with attractive elements of youth culture; such as videos & lyrics set to hip-hop music. Ustaz Mohd bin Ali from ICPVTR also pointed out the new and dangerous phenomenon of self-radicalisation. Individuals have been radicalised because they chose to base their interpretations of religion on certain internet sites. The lesson to be learnt for all young Singaporeans: One must be discerning with information from the Internet. When one is doubt, one should always turn to a reputable religious leader or a person of authority (teacher, principal, police officer) for guidance. The convention ended with a lively dialogue session. Click here for reflections of students from the seminar.