Collective Vigilance Against Radicalisation and Focusing on Micro-Level Social Harmony

The recent arrest of a 17-year-old male under Singapore's Internal Security Act (ISA) in August 2024 for planning attacks on non-Muslims is deeply alarming, especially given the proximity to my home in Tampines. This case underscores the disturbing reality of youth radicalisation, as this individual reportedly planned to target non-Muslims in the HDB heartlands, specifically near Tampines West Community Centre. The fact that anyone who, based on the attacker’s perception, visually appears non-Muslim could have been a potential target raises severe concerns about the vulnerability of our diverse community, including Muslims.

Such incidents highlight the urgent need for collective vigilance, awareness, and collaboration across all sectors of society to prevent radical ideologies from taking root, particularly among young people. Communities must unite, regardless of religion, to protect one another, foster mutual understanding, and strengthen social cohesion. This shared responsibility is key to ensuring the safety and harmony of everyone in our society.

In this context, becoming informed about how these threats develop, adapt, and evolve is crucial. Like other cases, this youth was exposed to the teachings of foreign radical preachers, which he encountered while seeking religious knowledge online. He began to adopt segregationist beliefs, such as the view that Muslims should not extend festive greetings to non-Muslims. Following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks, there was a surge in extremist materials by ISIS and other terrorist groups, capitalising on the conflict to spread their violent narratives. We must remain vigilant and connected, collectively taking action to safeguard our social cohesion.

One way to increase awareness is by understanding how young people become susceptible to these threats. I urge everyone to read commentaries and materials from experts and researchers in this field, which offer essential insights.

For example, a recent commentary by Noor Huda Ismail in RSIS addresses the growing trend of youth radicalisation online. He emphasises how identity fusion plays a central role, where shared “sacred values” create unbreakable bonds with extremist groups. Both gaming and AI can amplify or counteract this process. A concerted effort is required to understand the psychological mechanisms behind it and harness technology’s potential for positive engagement.

By prioritising resilience and empathy, we can create a more inclusive society that counters extremist narratives and fosters peace among diverse communities. Parents and religious leaders must weave these values daily in their conversations with their youths. They must also be aware of the threats of extremist ideologies that exploit religious teachings, political situations, and ethnic identities.

To further promote racial and religious harmony, we must focus on the micro-level—within neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools. This is especially important as people increasingly isolate themselves within online echo chambers, risking disconnection from the realities around them. Dialogue cannot remain the responsibility of a group of interracial and interfaith advocates; it must become an everyday practice for all Singaporeans. Achieving this requires active participation in initiatives such as the Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, which have fostered social cohesion for over 20 years in constituencies across Singapore. Earlier this year, they organised the ‘Harmony in Heartlands’ activities, one of which took place at Tampines Hub.

These Circles are part of Singapore's solid and dynamic interfaith sector, which includes groups like the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore, Centre for Interfaith Understanding - CIFU, OnePeople.sg, Harmony Centre - HA Singapore, Dialogue Centre, The Whitehatters, Roses of Peace, Interfaith Youth Circle, hash.peace and Being Beings.

The YouthLeaders@Harmony Circles, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth - MCCY, brings together youth leaders from civil society groups, religious organisations, and various other sectors to build a strong peer network. Notably, on 23 November 2024, they will organise a Counter-Terrorism Seminar for Youths in collaboration with Racial & Religious Harmony Circles and Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations. Now in its second year, this programme underscores the crucial role of grassroots initiatives in sustaining social cohesion and ensuring harmony continues to thrive in Singapore.

Through my travels around the world, I have learned that the depth of harmony we build on peaceful days will safeguard us during times of crisis. Our cohesion remains strong in response to such news, which could quickly spark hostility between communities elsewhere. The recent events remind us that we must continue working diligently to maintain this harmony and deepen our grassroots efforts to protect the racial and religious unity we have nurtured—a unity that everyone is entitled to enjoy and is equally responsible for preserving.