Tackling terrorism is just the tip of the iceberg

There is an insidious force that lurks within society: extremist thinking. It keeps spreading in communities. Governments in the region and around the world have had significant successes in their counterterror security campaigns, with many of the most extreme terror groups being turned into shadows of their former selves. But are we winning the battle against extremist thought that prevails in some sections of societies?
If one were to use the analogy of an iceberg, terrorism is just the tip. Extremist thought is the vast, submerged mass of the iceberg. It constitutes deep-seated belief systems within some communities. Such thinking likely comes from times past, when rigid societal structures prevailed. In some cases, these old ways have continued — and they are in direct conflict with modern society. They often manifest themselves in both subtle and overt forms of discrimination and radicalization, which in turn lead to acts of terrorism.
There still exists in many societies a reservoir of radicalization, just like the underwater expanse of an iceberg. This is where an invisible pool of extremist thought resides and is nurtured. And since family is at the core of society, children internalize what they see around them. If families hold extremist views, the children see this as nothing out of the ordinary and imbibe such views. Draining this reservoir of radicalization can help communities to stem the supply of potential extremists.
Many governments and counterterror organizations have made substantial progress in reducing the threat of terrorist groups and their affiliates. The global system has also successfully cracked down on the financing of terror organizations. However, despite these achievements, extremist ideologies continue to find fertile ground in vulnerable communities around the globe. Today, we have active cells and groups in countries across the Sahel, the Middle East, Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia, as well as established networks in Europe and North America.

Community leaders and family elders have an important role to play in speaking out against radical thinking.

Sara Almarzooqi

A new approach is needed to face these challenges; the current strategies are not effective enough. Governments, civil society leaders, the private sector and religious authorities must collaborate to ward off the dangers of religious extremism early on. The paradigm should shift from merely countering terrorist organizations and stopping individual radicalization to also addressing the ideological reservoir at the bottom of the iceberg. These efforts would complete existing counterterrorism policies.
Combining security measures with strong moderate religious messaging and socioeconomic initiatives is essential. Economic disenfranchisement and a lack of opportunities can drive people into the arms of radical groups. Improving living conditions for the general population and addressing the marginalization of some communities would significantly reduce the allure of extremist ideologies.
The new approach should also seek to deconstruct extremist narratives and therefore reduce the transmission of extremist ideas within communities and societies at an early stage. Extremist ideologies — not only those propagated by violent extremist organizations such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda, but also groups that may not always use violence to achieve their aims, such as the Muslim Brotherhood — thrive on conspiracy theories, black-and-white worldviews and the exploitation of socioeconomic grievances. Additionally, radical and intolerant mentalities and narratives existed long before any of these armed groups were formed and, as such, they are not solely a product of these organizations but also of societal mentalities rooted in divisive rhetoric and narratives.
Extremists derive much of their ideological strength from historical misinterpretations and twisted narratives, especially those linked to the Golden Age of Islam, a period marked by significant cultural, scientific and intellectual achievements. By deconstructing these narratives and actively supporting local and national identities, we can undermine the ideological foundations of extremist doctrines and reduce their appeal.
This is why education is key to building resilience and immunity against extremist ideologies. It can break the cyclical transmission of extremist thought in communities. The promotion of critical thinking, tolerance and inclusivity in schools can help mitigate any extremist beliefs that children might observe within their families. UNESCO has stated that education plays a key part in preventing extremism and terrorism. Studies show higher levels of education are associated with lower levels of support for extremist ideologies. In the broader society, community leaders and family elders have an important role to play in fostering a culture of peace and tolerance and speaking out against discrimination and radical thinking.
While the physical, security-centric aspect of the fight against terrorism has seen major victories and succeeded to a large extent, the battle against the underlying extremist thought requires a more concerted and proactive effort — one that is generational. Only by tackling both the tip and the invisible parts of the iceberg can the scourge of extremism be rooted out of communities.

• Sara Almarzooqi is Director of the Sawab Center. X: @saralmarzooqi