Terrorism & Diaspora: The Radicalization of a People - Essay Sample

Introduction

Terrorism, in the general terms, is the illegal use of intentional violence, especially against members of the public for religious or political purposes. Diaspora, on the other hand, refers to a group of individuals scattered away from their original country to other parts of the world while retaining a nostalgic memory of their native land. Radicalization is the process of initiating an individual or a group of people to adopt radical views on political, social, or religious principles (do Ceu Pinto Arena, 2017).

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Globalization encourages free movement, which in turn increases the likelihood of diaspora communities to attack their assumed homelands by targeting their federal governments and their citizens (do Ceu Pinto Arena, 2017). This paper intends to identify, describe, and examine the issue of radicalization and terrorism. Besides, this paper aims to scrutinize why Muslims in the West attack their host countries. Also, the risk factors that make these diaspora groups to risk radicalization are assessed - recommendation on better mitigation policies to counter-terrorism and radicalization highlighted.

Radicalization Issues

An individual with radical views tries to question the status quo of the socio-political setting about changing them through any means available. Globalization has increased the volume of diaspora individuals through open borders making the issue of radicalization more critical (Matar, 2019). The global community lives in fear of an attack by the diaspora community on their assumed homelands. The world also faces challenges on the lack of integration leading to more recruits, which in turn affects both the estranged and the espoused. Auto-radicalization and recruitment of these diaspora communities who had no prior links to any terror group have continued to grow. The radicalized diaspora carries out acts of terror in sympathy or support of the terror groups.

Most terror groups have adequate financial muscles to entice diaspora communities who might have migrated from their native countries due to political instability, slavery, or groups living as a minority among people of the prevailing religion (do Ceu Pinto Arena, 2017). The diaspora is a valuable propaganda podium. Host countries may allow passage of materials that are forbidden in native nations. Another international issue is that Diasporas enable the procurement of weapons. Besides, diaspora societies are always used and organized to lobby and influence adopted federal governments to pressurize governments of their original countries.

The Jewish diaspora successfully petitioned the United States of America's congress to pass a resolution denouncing the British in Palestine. Besides, the Irish-Americans assisted the Irish Republican Army by smuggling American weapons to the country (Matar, 2019). The diaspora community has the capability of fundraising through organized crime and open activities used to finance terror activities. The group has the advantage of procuring weapons that terror groups can use in perpetrating terrorism. Furthermore, organized diaspora community benefits terror groups through the recruitment of citizens from their adopted and original country. The diaspora effectively and efficiently can collect and solicit for funds voluntarily or involuntarily, which again is used in funding terror groups.

Reasons Why Muslims in the West Attack Their Host Countries

There are second and third-generation immigrants who are especially receptive to radicalization. The ideas are that a radical institutes a countermeasure to a status quo and assigns his convictions to a hard truth, unlike someone who smoothly adapts to the diaspora situation and conglomerates the diverse aspects of identity (do Ceu Pinto Arena, 2017). Another group vulnerable to radicalization are international students and young first-generation migrants living in the West countries. These groups are separated from their families and are prone to profound cultural change. Besides, those immigrants born in the host country are vulnerable to identity conflicts associated with the diaspora situation. Terrorists who originate from the Muslim diaspora community include those who have converted to Islam and then radicalized. An example of such is Andrew Rowe and Richard Reid. Some join the Jihadist movement voluntarily, while others have longstanding involvement after receiving military training in Jihadist camps.

Second-generation failed integrates, such as Omar Han Sharif, who led a terrorist attack against a bar in Tel Aviv (Matar, 2019). Omar Sharif was radicalized after a religious conversion. Besides, other radicalized diaspora Muslims have hate against their adopted country due to their frustrations and poor living conditions, which they blame on Western nations. Arrests and detentions of Muslims also contribute to radicalization. Most diaspora immigrants experience feelings of estrangement from the assumed country and its residents. The diaspora community are always trapped between two cultures and societies, which they are part of, yet do not fit in any, as they feel unwelcomed.

Risk Factors

The first risk factor that makes the diaspora population at risk of radicalization is whether they are superior or inferior to the country and society hosting them. Some of the diaspora communities acquire extensive wealth in their adopted country. It is also essential to look at the cultural gap between the host residents and the newcomers. Discrimination results from vast differences in cultures between those from the diaspora and the indigenous population resulting in cultural and values reconciliation difficulties. Such aspects cause radicalization (Smith, 2018).

Mode of migration is another risk factor. Scholars argue that individual types of movement brings much discrimination and stereotyping than group migration. Students, especially from Arab countries, are susceptible to bias in the Western countries, and thus prone to radicalization (Smith, 2018).

Mitigation Policies and Recommendations

The fact that immigrants are not returning to their native homes makes the issue of immigration permanent. Another challenging reality is that Muslims are much more integrated into the United States than they are in other parts of Europe (Matar, 2019). Mitigation policies must, therefore, incorporate these factors to have an effective and efficient system to curb radicalization and terrorism. Integration is one of the methods that have, for some time, been applied in Western countries with some positive results. However, a policy that considers inclusion as its pillar is essential.

Another way that can minimize radicalization is major campaigns to create awareness about the necessity to integrate with the migrants. In the event of a terrorist attack, the federal government should effectively coordinate disaster management and conduct proper public relations exercise to spread information. Proper and enhanced communication between Muslims and non-Muslims is another recommendation that would ensure less aggression and improve on relationships (Matar, 2019). Respective policies on terrorism and radicalization must be developed, as this would provide the screening of people moving from one country to another. Besides, policies geared towards minimizing segregation and the disenfranchisement of the youth are crucial in reducing radicalization. Involving Muslim leadership, such as religious leaders, in the fight against terrorism is a powerful tool in preventing terror attacks.

Conclusion

Governments are mandated to protect their citizens from .attacks, such as against terrorism. Therefore, prevention, managing the consequences, and focusing on the causes of terrorism .is essential. Diaspora communities are prone to discriminative practices that engender them to radicalization. Policies that ensure inclusivity helps mitigate radicalization and reduces terrorism. Globalization has many benefits to the world but has challenges that must be addressed.

References

Do Ceu Pinto Arena, M. (2017). Islamic Terrorism in the West and International Migrations: The'Far'or'Near'Enemy Within? What Is the Evidence? What Is the Evidence (May 2017). Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Research Paper No. RSCAS, 28. Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2976407

Matar, S. A. (2019). Muslims Diaspora & Radicalization, a western perspective according to the social identity theory. Tikrit Journal for Political Science, 3(5), 46-78. Retrieved from http://www.tjfps.tu.edu.iq/index.php/poltic/article/view/65

Smith, A. G. (2018). Risk factors and indicators associated with radicalization to terrorism in the United States: What research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice tells us (pp. 1-28). US Department Of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allison_Smith20/publication/335366054_Risk_Factors_and_Indicators_Associated_With_Radicalization_to_Terrorism_in_the_United_States_What_Research_Sponsored_by_the_National_Institute_of_Justice_Tells_Us/links/5d6016fba6fdccc32ccc887b/Risk-Factors-and-Indicators-Associated-With-Radicalization-to-Terrorism-in-the-United-States-What-Research-Sponsored-by-the-National-Institute-of-Justice-Tells-Us.pdf