I am not used to dealing with extremism and terrorism, but I am curious about what goes on in the mind of an extremist. We need to understand and decode their thoughts from a psychological angle.
A major influence is the mistaken religious motive, which Badr Al Abri explains in his book “The Jurisprudence of Extremism.” I won’t go into religious details here; instead, I will share some thoughts on understanding an extremist’s mind.
Years ago, when 'Al Qaeda' first appeared — before social media — I wondered why such terrorist groups formed. They attacked civilian societies that had no military or political actions. We saw mosque bombings and attacks on innocent people, spreading fear and destruction without clear goals.
Later, 'ISIS' replaced 'Al Qaeda,' emerging during the 'Arab Spring.' This period brought political and economic ruin to many countries, and new extremist groups followed. These organisations have two faces: the sources that form and fund them, and the individuals within them, many of whom are deceived through material and intellectual means.
We should look at the extremist mind, its thoughts, and what drives it to become a killing machine that disregards humanitarian and religious principles. We must also ask: Who funds these extremist groups?
Research shows that these groups often have hidden backers. They flourish with ongoing funding and a supportive grassroots base.
The extremist mind, from its start, is inclined to accept extreme ideas, often due to psychological tendencies and personal struggles. This leads to practices that adopt misguided ideas. Sometimes, it’s the product of an environment that supports extremism and feeds religious, sectarian, or ethnic fanaticism.
A person with disturbed psychological tendencies might rebel against societal norms, seeking outlets for their resentment. Such individuals are easy targets for extremist groups that lure them under a misleading cover. Extremism becomes more active among those with weak psychological stability and in communities with extreme religious or ethnic views.
In the end, the extremist mind loses its human compassion due to wrong religious teachings and psychological issues, including criminal tendencies. Surprisingly, some who adopt extremist views don’t have criminal backgrounds or psychological issues but are financially stable.
Understanding the extremist mind is complex and requires gathering extensive information on extremism’s psychological and environmental elements. Extremist groups are skilled in persuasion, using emotional fanaticism and misleading religious motives to turn individuals into killing machines who believe they are pleasing God.
Researching the mind of an extremist is ongoing and must adapt to changing circumstances and technological advances. We should quickly implement solutions to combat extremism, including tracking support sources, addressing economic and mental health issues, spreading sound religious and moral principles, and banning extremist materials. By understanding and addressing these factors, we can reduce the risks of extremism and its impact on society.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
(The original version of this article was published in the print edition of Oman Arabic newspaper on August 4).
Dr Muammar bin Ali Al Tobi
The writer is an an Omani academic and researcher
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