Countering violent extremism

In dealing with the threat posed by violent radical Islamism, as posed in particular by activities of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Singapore has gained much experience. Its response has balanced hard and soft measures but has focused especially upon countering the ideological basis for terrorism as advanced by the threat through perversion of Islam. Of specific importance have been the efforts undertaken by local Muslim organizations, such as the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), to counter extremism and prevent radicalization within the Muslim community. Such efforts are examples of Singapore’s unique community-based approach to countering violent extremism (CVE).