Extremism virus

July 29, 2024

ISLAMABAD – This perception only provides more space for extremist groups to disseminate their divisive narratives, recruit manpower, increase sympathisers and generate finance. Therefore, to prevent extremism, understanding its signs and the process of radicalisation is equally critical for families and communities.

For instance, families and friends can flag behavioural changes in a person’s life, including in their ideology, social relations, and criminal activity. A radicalised person may increasingly use ideological language that discriminates against others. Because the individual may be identifying with an ideology that is different from prevalent norms, one may also observe isolation from society.

Violent extremism describes the acts of a person or group of persons who have decided that fear and violence are justified to achieve ideological or social change and are acting on this belief. Ideology-based VE is propelled by the misinterpretation of religion. The real motivation may be political, but it is justified using religious reasons. During the radicalisation process, a person may start using criminal tactics like vandalism, minor property damage, and trespassing, or protesting in a violent way to draw attention to their beliefs.

There are certain myths about radicalisation. For instance, there is the myth that anyone who experiences radical thoughts is a violent extremist. This is not always true. It is also a myth that an extremist must be associated with a group. There have been several instances where individuals have been self-radicalised without the support of any group. Another myth is that radicalisation is linked to religion. This, too, is not always true, as there are several extremist