Singapore Group Moves to Counter Militant Ideology

The Straits Times

26 September 2014

A group of Islamic scholars and teachers set up to curb the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) threat in Singapore has been counselling people who actively read online material related to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) ideology and were referred to them by the authorities.

It is now also looking to counter ISIS’ radical ideology, including through a more active presence online, videos, talks at schools and distributing pamphlets at mosques.

Dr Mohamed Ali, vice-chairman of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), would not disclose the exact number counselled or how they were identified.

…A “handful of Singaporeans” joined the civil war in Syria, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean told Parliament in July. The Internet, he added, has been a game-changer.

Dr Mohamed, an assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, agreed.

Categories:

RSIS / SRP / GPO / Print / Online