As I scrolled via the information updates from my beloved house state of Assam, nestled in its bustling capital Guwahati, I was totally shaken. The headlines screamed of a chilling revelation: a privileged younger man, a pupil on the prestigious IIT Guwahati, had pledged his allegiance to none aside from the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), a terrorist organisation that emerged as an offshoot of Al-Qaeda. In an open letter penned on LinkedIn, he articulated his allegiance, sending shockwaves via the nation. He wrote:
“So, my message to the Kuffar (infidels): Repent to Allah with a sincere repentance. Say, there is no ilah (God) except Allah (The God) and Muhammad is His messenger (may peace be upon him). Establish Salat amongst your people and give Zakat to the Zakat-Collectors appointed by the Khalifah, Abu Hafs Al-Hashimi Al-Qurashi. And if you turn away, then I give you glad tidings of a painful punishment.
My final call: There is no ilah (God) except Allah and Muhammad is his Rasool (Messenger), may peace be upon him. And Alhamulillahi RabbilAalamin.”
This surprising growth comes scorching on the heels of the arrest of ISIS India head Haris Farooqi, elevating grave issues concerning the infiltration of radical extremism into the very coronary heart of India. With its brutal techniques and uncompromising ideology, ISIS carved out a formidable stronghold throughout huge swathes of Iraq and Syria, proclaiming the institution of a caliphate beneath the management of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. However, this audacious bid for energy was met with widespread condemnation from quite a few Muslim nations, rejecting ISIS’s declare to signify Islam.
Central to ISIS’s modus operandi is its unyielding dedication to an excessive interpretation of Islam, viewing violence as a way to implement its imaginative and prescient of Islamic rule rooted in Sharia regulation. The group’s indiscriminate focusing on is aware of no bounds, branding anybody who fails to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as an enemy—be they Westerners, Christians, Jews, and even fellow Muslims. Armed with a extremely skilled militia well-versed in guerrilla warfare techniques, ISIS poses a formidable risk, able to wreaking havoc on a worldwide scale.
Beneath the floor of ISIS lies not simply flesh and blood, however a robust ideology—a fact encapsulated within the well-known quote from ‘V for Vendetta’. Despite being an American pop-culture reference, its resonance extends to the core of the dialogue surrounding ISIS’s future. The group’s theological underpinnings, typically neglected in public discourse, function a driving power behind its resilience and affect.
India’s place within the world panorama of ISIS affect is typically deemed anomalous. Despite boasting the world’s third-largest Muslim inhabitants, the nation has seen comparatively low numbers of ISIS-related instances. Investigative businesses have probed simply over 100 instances, with estimates reaching 200 to 300 people. These figures pale compared to European nations, the place international fighter migration to Iraq and Syria has been extra pronounced. Approximately 10 to fifteen Indians responded to ISIS’s name to motion between 2014 and 2016.
The newest US State Department report on terrorism highlights 66 identified Indian-origin fighters affiliated with ISIS, commending India’s counterterrorism efforts, significantly the work of businesses just like the NIA. Despite these successes, issues persist concerning the function of the Internet in recruitment, radicalisation, and the exacerbation of interreligious tensions. As India grapples with these challenges, the significance of proactive measures to counter extremism can’t be overstated.
The entry level, as defined by Jesse Morton, a former on-line recruiter of Al-Qaeda, who glided by the identify Yonus Abdullah Mohamed, defined the three-point agenda that is used to tug potential recruits in the direction of their ideology—is private grievance, a dent in an individual’s psyche that may be nurtured in a unfavourable method and used to contribute to a broader trigger.
The first pillar, Tawheed al-Haakimiyyah, champions the supremacy of Allah and Sharia regulation—an undisputed perception used to indoctrinate followers right into a inflexible worldview. Next comes Kufr bin Takhud, which calls for the entire rejection of “false gods” like idols, democracy, and even one’s personal dad and mom in the event that they hinder the trail to jihadist extremism. Lastly, Al-wallah-al-Burrah mandates unwavering loyalty to Muslims above all else—a doctrine that fosters an insular mindset and division.
The goal particular person should possess greater than only a sense of disillusionment; recruiters exploit emotions of purposelessness and tedium, providing a twisted sense of goal and belonging. In this harmful recreation of manipulation and exploitation, the strains between fact and propaganda blur, leaving unsuspecting people susceptible to the siren name of extremism.
As we navigate this treacherous panorama, it turns into crucial to recognise the insidious techniques employed by recruiters and to stay vigilant towards their seductive guarantees of goal and belonging.
Between 2014 and 2018, a wave of radicalisation swept throughout states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, main younger women and men on a deadly journey in the direction of the attract of ISIS. From May 25, 2014, people from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh succumbed to the siren name of extremist ideology, venturing to Iraq and Syria to hitch the ranks of the infamous terrorist organisation. However, not all returned unscathed—some met tragic ends on the battlefield, whereas others languished in international prisons, awaiting repatriation.
As just lately as November 28, 2014, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) uncovered the insidious unfold of ISIS affect inside India, arresting people who succumbed to the seductive rhetoric of ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. This journey into extremism was facilitated by the systematic exploitation of the Internet, with sympathisers utilising on-line platforms for radicalisation, recruitment, and planning of terror actions. Shockingly, investigations revealed a disturbing pattern—many have been influenced by speeches and movies of Islamic preachers, together with the notorious Zakir Naik, founding father of the Islamic Research Foundation. Despite going through allegations of cash laundering and inciting extremism, Naik’s teachings continued to resonate with susceptible people, main them down the trail of radicalisation.
As authorities grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by radicalisation, the nexus between on-line propaganda and real-world violence turns into more and more obvious. The struggle towards terrorism transcends bodily borders, requiring concerted efforts to fight the unfold of extremist ideologies and safeguard the way forward for susceptible youth.
In the backdrop of a worldwide conflict of civilisations, a battle of concepts continues to permeate each aspect of life within the 21st century. On one entrance stand constructive forces striving to keep up societal order, uphold constitutional values, and foster cooperation amongst various people. Conversely, disruptive parts sow seeds of radicalisation, resulting in chaos and the recruitment of younger minds into terror outfits.
While training is typically touted as a bulwark towards extremism, current hyperlinks between engineering graduates and PhD college students from throughout India to terror outfit ISIS spotlight a extra sinister actuality. The penetration of ISIS in India traces again to the group’s inception, with quite a few younger minds swayed by guarantees of rewards within the afterlife. Despite the comparatively low proportion of terror recruits from India’s Muslim inhabitants, the presence of even one ISIS terrorist on Indian soil is one too many.
The NIA stays vigilant, orchestrating raids, apprehending suspects, and implementing de-radicalisation packages. Notably, on December 9, 2023, the NIA carried out pre-dawn raids in Maharashtra and Karnataka, ensuing within the arrest of 15 operatives affiliated with ISIS, together with a PhD scholar and former lecturer.
However, the battle towards radicalisation extends past regulation enforcement businesses. Family and group play pivotal roles in figuring out and addressing indicators of radicalisation, working in tandem with organisations just like the NIA. Notable successes by the NIA, such because the arrest of Dr Adnan Syed and different high-profile operatives, underscore the relentless pursuit of justice and safety. Nevertheless, incidents of radicalisation contribute to emotions of “Islamophobia” amongst different communities, necessitating a concerted effort to handle the foundation causes of extremism.
Moderate Muslims should actively disown and distance themselves from people espousing extremist ideologies. Post 26/11, teams just like the Indian Muslim Council set commendable examples by publicly denouncing radical parts. By standing united towards extremism and advocating for peace and moderation, the Indian Muslim group can fight radicalisation and foster a safer, extra inclusive society for all.
In the battle towards radicalisation, households and communities play a pivotal function in detecting indicators of extremism and partnering with businesses just like the NIA to mitigate threats. These instances underscore a regarding fanaticism indifferent from private oppression, emphasising the urgency of confronting extremist ideologies. However, vigilance is essential towards propaganda unfold by sure quarters, together with communists and Islamist influencers. Their narratives, alleging a genocide of Muslims in India, not solely exacerbate tensions but in addition validate extremist rhetoric. By rejecting divisive narratives and fostering unity, communities can collectively fight extremism and uphold values of peace and tolerance.
The ISIS emerged as a big risk, spreading its venomous ideology throughout the globe. However, India’s resilience towards this menace stays commendable. With solely a fraction of a proportion of the inhabitants succumbing to ISIS propaganda, India has stood agency towards radicalisation. Among its 20 crore Muslim inhabitants, the variety of recruits to ISIS stays negligible. This resilience is a testomony to the unity and resolve of the Indian folks.
But the battle towards extremism is ongoing, requiring fixed vigilance and cooperation between communities and safety businesses. The NIA and different safety forces have been on the forefront, tirelessly working to thwart terrorist plots and dismantle extremist networks. However, the stakes are excessive. While safety businesses should succeed each time, terrorists want solely succeed as soon as to wreak havoc.
As a nation, we should transfer past mere condemnation and actively problem the twisted theological worldview propagated by teams like ISIS. Families, communities, and non secular leaders should denounce extremist ideologies unequivocally. By standing united and rejecting divisive narratives, we are able to safeguard our unbelievable Bharat from the clutches of those monstrous ideologies.
As an Indian Muslim, I hate ISIS with each fibre of my being, however I perceive that mere condemnation is not sufficient. Some worry that as a Muslim is primarily loyal to his religion, a Muslim could sacrifice one of the best pursuits of his nation for Islam. But His Holiness famous that, in reality, honest patriotism is a tenet of Islam. Prophet Muhammad acknowledged, “Love of one’s country is a part of faith (Sakhawi)”. There is no battle between one’s pledge to faith and their Pledge of Allegiance as a result of exhibiting loyalty to at least one’s nation of residence itself turns into a non secular observe.
There is a saying of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, which works like this,
حُبُّ الْوَطَنِ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ
“Ḥubb al-Waṭan min al-Īmān”
“Love of one’s country is part of one’s Iman (faith).”
In this conflict of civilisations, the way forward for our nation hangs within the steadiness. Let us stay vigilant, resolute, and unwavering in our dedication to preserving the material of our various society. Together, allow us to construct a future the place peace, tolerance, and concord prevail, leaving no room for the darkness of extremism to take root.
The writer is a practising advocate. She writes articles on ladies’s rights, politics and regulation. Views expressed within the above piece are private and solely that of the writer. They don’t essentially replicate News18’s views.
