However, we can get around the Islamophobia trick by asserting the simple truth. The truth that our common enemy is the radicalisation process - not Islam or Muslims as such.
No one halfway sane can ignore the fact that Islamic radicalisation is a real and dangerous thing. And no one can call you an Islamophobe for simply asserting the obvious, that far. But we need to get in early with the assertion before we're successfully labelled Islamophobic...and then hater, bigot, racist, etc, because once that happens no one is listening. Hence, as you can see my soundbite is right there at the top of the page. This is where I'm at - not Islamophobia.
So let's get to it.
How then does the radicalisation process happen? How do benign Muslims get turned into dangerous extremists? I'm not an expert myself and I don't need to be. My job is to open the book before it gets closed. From here, I will simply list some factors that, to the best of my mind, contribute to the radicalisation process.
1. The cult-dynamic.
The hallmark of a cult is isolation. Seperating yourself into a group where others are seen fully as 'outsiders', and to the point where the dehumanisation of outsiders can occur. In a cult, interaction with outsiders is suppressed to ensure that the in-group sees things only through their own internal eyes, making cultural reform difficult if not impossible, and giving leaders within the cult perverse power over their group.
The cult-dynamic, as I understand it, is more likely to occur where too many Muslims are brought into a host nation too soon, so they tend to create isolated communities or even 'no go' zones. This is a great foundation to breed extremism.
Another way to facilitate the cult-dynamic is to legalise the burqa. This is a direct way of enforcing the interpersonal isolation of Muslim women from the wider society.
The solutions to this problem are obvious. Compulsory non-Islamic schooling for young Muslims (leave religious studies at home). No burqas. Modest rates of Muslim immigration. In other words ensure that progressive assimilation happens - not isolation.
2. A lack of transparency in Islamic teachings.
Mosques should be monitored to ensure that we do not have extremist teachings occurring. Islam should have nothing to hide, right? We should not expect too many complaints.
3. Study the Quran and Muhammad's life.
The cult-dynamic, as I understand it, is more likely to occur where too many Muslims are brought into a host nation too soon, so they tend to create isolated communities or even 'no go' zones. This is a great foundation to breed extremism.
Another way to facilitate the cult-dynamic is to legalise the burqa. This is a direct way of enforcing the interpersonal isolation of Muslim women from the wider society.
The solutions to this problem are obvious. Compulsory non-Islamic schooling for young Muslims (leave religious studies at home). No burqas. Modest rates of Muslim immigration. In other words ensure that progressive assimilation happens - not isolation.
2. A lack of transparency in Islamic teachings.
Mosques should be monitored to ensure that we do not have extremist teachings occurring. Islam should have nothing to hide, right? We should not expect too many complaints.
3. Study the Quran and Muhammad's life.
(Mohammed's life is the example that all Muslims are supposed to emulate, and the example by which the Quran should be interpreted).
It may be an uncomfortable truth that following Islam to the letter means acting like ISIS, when the time is right. I'm not totally sure on this. But we must be prepared to study Islam without politically correct blinkers. The truth is what it is, and we need to accept it be what it may.
4. Psychological status of the people getting involved with extremist Islam.
People who have been seriously abused in childhood will be more prone to radicalisation, because they're looking for the family they never had (cult), are simple minded and are filled with rage.
We need to look carefully at the kind of people we're importing into our nation. Have they been heavily damaged?
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These are just some insights. The point is, that this is what we need to be talking about. And again, we cannot let extremists (or foolish people) stop us from having this important conversation.
The people who have the most to lose from our failure to talk, are the moderate Muslims most of all. Just one Islamic terror attack in New Zealand and their lives will never be the same. And that alone would help to drive them into isolation.
Stopping any given potential for radicalisation today, with the right policies, right now, is far easier than dealing with an extremist mess tomorrow. It makes sense to talk - today.
-Andrew Atkin
It may be an uncomfortable truth that following Islam to the letter means acting like ISIS, when the time is right. I'm not totally sure on this. But we must be prepared to study Islam without politically correct blinkers. The truth is what it is, and we need to accept it be what it may.
4. Psychological status of the people getting involved with extremist Islam.
People who have been seriously abused in childhood will be more prone to radicalisation, because they're looking for the family they never had (cult), are simple minded and are filled with rage.
We need to look carefully at the kind of people we're importing into our nation. Have they been heavily damaged?
--------------------------------------------------
These are just some insights. The point is, that this is what we need to be talking about. And again, we cannot let extremists (or foolish people) stop us from having this important conversation.
The people who have the most to lose from our failure to talk, are the moderate Muslims most of all. Just one Islamic terror attack in New Zealand and their lives will never be the same. And that alone would help to drive them into isolation.
Stopping any given potential for radicalisation today, with the right policies, right now, is far easier than dealing with an extremist mess tomorrow. It makes sense to talk - today.
-Andrew Atkin
Hi there. Some interesting points.
ReplyDeleteI am a kiwi, secular, but I have spent many years working in the middle east, some with coalition forces in the defense sector.
I would also add war, particularly western occupation and associated civilian casualties, as one of the primary aggravating factors in radicalisation and anti western sentiment.
Another contributing factor
Thanks - and fair call.
ReplyDelete