By: Alfisyah Kumalasari )*
The spread of radicalism is still a threat to the survival of the Indonesian nation and state. By utilizing the sophistication of information technology, the target of radicalism is now also targeting young people who are familiar with the internet. The public and security forces are expected not to be unaware of this phenomenon.
We have long known that young people are the most vulnerable groups exposed to radicalism and terrorism. This was revealed by Director of Postgraduate UIN Sunan Kalijaga who said that children aged between 15 and 29 years were the social sectors most prone to being exposed to radicalism and terrorism.
He explained that young people usually become the backbone of radical organizations in holding violent actions. Some were involved in jihadi actions in areas affected by communal conflict and became mastermind and main perpetrators of bombings such as in Bali, Jakarta, Solo, Surabaya and other cities.
Based on his notes, there are about hundreds of young Indonesian people who joined ISIS. He also said that the involvement of young people in radicalism and terrorism cannot be separated from the high unemployment rate, lack of opportunity, malfunctioning family structure and social exclusion.
According to him, radicalism and terrorism can be considered as the escape of the childish youth of their disappointments in the situation at hand. He also conveyed the data, in the late 90s young people found it increasingly difficult to find work. They occupy 72.5 percent of the total unemployment and 600 thousand university graduates cannot find jobs.
In the early 2000s, more than 60 percent of young people between 15 and 19 years who were ready for work had not found work. When the economy improved in the second half of the 2000s and thereafter, 2 million to 3 million people entered the list of new job seekers every year. So that unemployment remains high.
The entry of the reform era is a sign of the beginning of freedom in Indonesia, where transnational Islamic groups are increasingly making use of the situation to further echo their teachings. Where they target schools or colleges in an effort to attract sympathizers from young people.
A survey conducted by PPIM UIN Syarif Hidayatullah at the end of 2017 showed the potential for radicalism among generation z, namely those born in the mid-90s to mid-2000s. The findings are 37.71 percent view that jihad is a war, especially a war against non-Muslims. Furthermore 23.35 percent agreed that suicide bombing was an Islamic jihad. Then no less terrible 34.03 percent agree if there are Muslims who apostatize then they must be killed. Other findings 33.04 percent think intolerant acts towards minority groups are not a problem.
These Z generations get a lot of Islamic material, one of them from the Internet and social media, where young people can be sure to be very close to the internet.
Radical groups take the internet and social media seriously because they reach citizens widely. Of the hundreds of thousands or millions who watched or read the information uploaded, a certain percentage was indoctrinated. From there, just build, build networks and care for them to strengthen their position and one day be used for the interests of their groups.
Young people are targeted because they target the spread of radicalism because they still have young souls. In addition, usually young people who are exposed to radicalism are those who are new to religion. Another factor is the nature of wanting to show one’s existence.
They (young people) will certainly be easily captivated by the ethos of the struggle against depravity, oppression because of local, national or global, usually those who are interested in learning religion or converts, so that people who are new to Islam want to show that they are more Islamic than anyone. .
In addition, young people who do not get along with their friends are also very young exposed to radicalization. Such groups are among those targeted by radical groups.
Teenagers and young people who are now indoctrinated by radical teachings, like the seeds that are just starting to grow, now they do not show signs of danger to the community, but the radicalism that continues to be fostered will become very dangerous in the next 20-30 years when they are adults, has certain power, resources or access.
Of course this must be anticipated early on, the cross-sectoral role of schools or non-conventional institutions must certainly work together to prevent young people from exposing radical ideas.
)* Active writer in the Press Circle and Cikini Students