UNDERSTANDING RADICALIZATION A Study on SE Asia and the Philippines June 2006

Understanding Radicalization UN SCR NO.1624 – refers to “incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance… the subversion of educational, cultural, and religious institutions by terrorists and their supporters.”

Understanding Radicalization Use of education, culture, and religion to incite people especially the youth towards extremism, and to motivate them to undertake terrorist acts are considered radicalization. Use of education, culture, and religion to incite people especially the youth towards extremism, and to motivate them to undertake terrorist acts are considered radicalization.

References Regional Conference on Radicalization of Muslim in Southeast Asia organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Philippine Council of Islam and Democracy (PCID), held on December 2-3, 2005 at Mandarin Oriental, Makati, Philippines. Regional Conference on Radicalization of Muslim in Southeast Asia organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Philippine Council of Islam and Democracy (PCID), held on December 2-3, 2005 at Mandarin Oriental, Makati, Philippines. Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Experts, and local Muslim scholars Experts, and local Muslim scholars

Background Most of the Muslim inhabitants of South East Asia (SE Asia) support the secular state and avoid violence and extremist interpretations of Islam; Most of the Muslim inhabitants of South East Asia (SE Asia) support the secular state and avoid violence and extremist interpretations of Islam; Political Islam in SE Asia - generally perceived to be moderate, tolerant and inclusive. Political Islam in SE Asia - generally perceived to be moderate, tolerant and inclusive.

Seeds of Radicalization in SE Asia   Need to survive the global changes – creates negative perceptions of an “intrusive West”   West dominance highlights Muslim World’s weaknesses leading to islamism   Islamism became the rebellion of the poor and weak in a consumerist world.   Muslims missed out on good Islam teachings.

 Misconception that democracy is Western  Islam and democracy are incompatible  Conflict areas in SE Asia are rich in natural resources but the areas are still poor and under-developed - who benefits?  Transmigration of non-locals Seeds of Radicalization in SE Asia

Catalysts of Radicalization in South East Asia  Flooding of Western values threatened traditions and cultures  Radical groups are free to propagate their ideology  Traditional Muslim’s resistance to Western values resulted to a worldwide resurgence of Islam  Radicalization displaces the indigenous culture with religious and social practices from the Middle East

Catalysts of Radicalization in South East Asia  Radicals spread their ideology  Consequences of the Soviet- Afghanistan  Al Qaeda money funds extremism  Overthrow of the Shah of Iran  War in Iraq

Categories of Islam in SE Asia Islam in the region can be classified into 6 ideal types  Nominal Muslims  Liberal Muslims  Salafi Muslims  Islamists  National Radical Muslims  Global Radical Muslims

Radicalization in the Philippines Muslim insurgents turned to radicalism and some organized groups committed terrorist acts:  Break away group of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF  Special Operations Group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)  Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)  Rajah Solaiman Islamic Movement (RSIM)

SUGGESTED APPROACHES SUGGESTED APPROACHES Generally - the rule of law with democratic pluralism; a justice system; peaceful resolution of disputes Psycho-Social Approach Economic Approach Security Approach Governance Legal Approach Socio-Cultural Approach

RP’s Preventive Measures Promoting Inter-faith solidarity through: Government partnerships with key religious leaders and organizations; Government partnerships with key religious leaders and organizations; Use of indigenous forms of conflict management Use of indigenous forms of conflict management Activation of civil society-led Interfaith Commission Activation of civil society-led Interfaith Commission Active participation in international interfaith initiatives Active participation in international interfaith initiatives

Further Measures Planned Information sharing on radicalization with the international community Information sharing on radicalization with the international community Oversee the educational system with moderate Muslim religious leaders and scholars Oversee the educational system with moderate Muslim religious leaders and scholars Partnerships to implement socio- economic- cultural development plans and programs Partnerships to implement socio- economic- cultural development plans and programs

Legislate laws involving indigenous forms of conflict management Legislate laws involving indigenous forms of conflict management Support the Interfaith Commission Support the Interfaith Commission Host Tripartite conference on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace Host Tripartite conference on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace Further Measures Planned

MABUHAY!