The Inter-Religious Organisation Calls for Strong Efforts to Protect Youths from Being Radicalised by Violent Extremist Ideologies

It is disturbing that this news comes just one month after the report about a 16-year-old Singapore Christian youth detained for planning attacks on two local mosques. The IRO is concerned with the increased threats of radicalisation affecting our young people. In the both the recent cases, the youths were brainwashed by online media that exploit religious sentiments to promote violence.

It is, now, critical that religious leaders and parents are vigilant about such online content that spread hate against faith groups. In a recent closed-door youth circle conversation organised by IRO Youth Wing at the Harmony Diversity Gallery, young people aged 16 to 40 from different religions discussed how young people could combat extremist mindsets. The youths identified inter-belief education, family engagement and peer support groups as essential measures to deter online radicalisation threats.

The IRO urges the interfaith community to undertake strong media and information literacy efforts to prevent the spread of violent extremism. Young people need to be guided on accessing correct information about religions. In this regard, the IRO will work closely with religious communities to raise awareness about this issue.

The IRO will also strengthen its efforts to promote interfaith friendship and trust, which have been the pillars of our religious harmony. The fellowship programs organised frequently by IRO will continue to deepen interfaith understanding that protects our society from hate and prejudice.

For more information about IRO’s towards peace and harmony, please visit www.iro.sg