Fight terrorism the Indonesian way
Sep 28, 2010
A few weeks after the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, there were cases of racial profiling where anyone who looked like a Somali was perceived to be a terrorist and, therefore, was supposed to be arrested.
A few weeks after the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, there were cases of racial profiling where anyone who looked like a Somali was perceived to be a terrorist and, therefore, was supposed to be arrested.
In order not to anger and alienate innocent Somalis, it is imperative that the Government follows the example of how Indonesia has dealt with terrorism.
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation with 210 million Muslims. In its fight against terrorism, the Indonesian government set up a counterterrorism unit, called detachment 88. The unit is funded and trained by the American government. What makes it unique is that its 400 operatives are Muslim. As part of the deradicalisation process of terrorism prisoners, the operatives are trained to be spiritual counsellors in convincing militants in the error of their ways.
The effectiveness of this policy is illustrated by the fact that 50% of 400 terrorism prisoners have either cooperated or renounced violence.
Another example is the capture of Nasir Abbas, a senior commander of Jemaah Islamiah, an Indonesian terrorist group.
After his release from prison, Nasir agreed to counsel terrorism suspects and convince them that the teachings of the Koran do not condone violence against innocent people.
An important point to note is that the prisoners are treated with ‘kid gloves’ in order for them to cooperate. As part of any successful counter-terrorism strategy, you must have intimate knowledge of your enemy. That is why security forces have to learn Arabic and be educated in the teachings of the Koran.
Ultimately, governments may find that the most effective strategy in deradicalising terrorism prisoners might be the use of moderate Muslims with impeccable religious credentials who could give these young people a comprehensive education on the Koran and an accurate interpretation of its teachings.
Prisoners should be paired up with moderate Muslims who should act as mentors and positive role models. Also incentives, such as paying school fees for a prisoner’s child or getting their wives employment, would go a long way in debunking what terrorist trainers tell their recruits about ‘infidels’.
The writer is a criminologist/ security consultant
In order not to anger and alienate innocent Somalis, it is imperative that the Government follows the example of how Indonesia has dealt with terrorism.
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation with 210 million Muslims. In its fight against terrorism, the Indonesian government set up a counterterrorism unit, called detachment 88. The unit is funded and trained by the American government. What makes it unique is that its 400 operatives are Muslim. As part of the deradicalisation process of terrorism prisoners, the operatives are trained to be spiritual counsellors in convincing militants in the error of their ways.
The effectiveness of this policy is illustrated by the fact that 50% of 400 terrorism prisoners have either cooperated or renounced violence.
Another example is the capture of Nasir Abbas, a senior commander of Jemaah Islamiah, an Indonesian terrorist group.
After his release from prison, Nasir agreed to counsel terrorism suspects and convince them that the teachings of the Koran do not condone violence against innocent people.
An important point to note is that the prisoners are treated with ‘kid gloves’ in order for them to cooperate. As part of any successful counter-terrorism strategy, you must have intimate knowledge of your enemy. That is why security forces have to learn Arabic and be educated in the teachings of the Koran.
Ultimately, governments may find that the most effective strategy in deradicalising terrorism prisoners might be the use of moderate Muslims with impeccable religious credentials who could give these young people a comprehensive education on the Koran and an accurate interpretation of its teachings.
Prisoners should be paired up with moderate Muslims who should act as mentors and positive role models. Also incentives, such as paying school fees for a prisoner’s child or getting their wives employment, would go a long way in debunking what terrorist trainers tell their recruits about ‘infidels’.
The writer is a criminologist/ security consultant