PM Wong Warns of Self-Radicalization,Highlights Importance of Community Bonds
SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Wong addressed the growing threat of self-radicalization in Singapore,emphasizing the need to strengthen social connections and counter extremist influences. Speaking recently, PM Wong revealed he personally knows individuals who have been drawn to extremist ideologies, noting that isolation frequently enough precedes this vulnerability.
“Self radicalisation often preys on those who feel more isolated. Then thay turn to online sources to find meaning, and they stumble upon extremist materials, and then they get led astray,” PM Wong stated.
To combat this, he stressed the importance of fostering belonging, human connections, and trust within the community. He highlighted the crucial work of the Religious rehabilitation Group (RRG), founded in 2003 by Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan and the late Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 75. The RRG trains religious teachers to counsel individuals influenced by radical teachings, and ustaz Ali established the RRG resource and Counselling Center in 2014.
PM Wong acknowledged the risks taken by these religious leaders,who faced potential accusations of hypocrisy (“munafiq”) for collaborating with the Government,and the challenges faced by community volunteers dealing with unfriendly reactions from detainees’ families.
He underscored Singapore’s six-decade-long commitment to strengthening inter-racial and inter-religious ties, while also cautioning against new divisions stemming from social and economic inequality. “This remains vital, but we must also guard against new divides…because left unchecked, they can weaken trust and erode the cohesion we have painstakingly built up,” he said.
PM Wong affirmed that Singapore’s diversity is key to its success and called for a collective effort to ensure the nation’s continued safety, security, and harmony for future generations.
Source: the Straits Times © SPH Media limited. Permission required for reproduction.
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