Page 1 - Diplomatic Voice Vol 4

Volume 4 2014 ISSN 2289-1277 Panel Discussion on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/IL) The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign to take up arms and fight against the some people started to join the group Relations (IDFR) organised a panel oppressors, either the government or by expressing their support on Face- discussion on 30 October 2014 titled occupying forces. He also reiterated book, Twitter, YouTube and others. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria that the violence did not reflect the There were also reports of people who (ISIS/IL). The panelists were Associate actual teachings of Islam, which pro- travelled to Syria to join the group, Professor Dr. Farish A. Noor from the pagates peace instead of violence. fighting alongside them as ‘jihadists’ Nanyang Technological University, Thus, the world should not blame the and to eventually die as martyrs. The Singapore and IDFR Distinguished religion because there is no correlation IS radicals manipulated the religious Fellow and Mr. Ahmad El Muhammady between the religion and the violence texts for their own agenda and made from the International Islamic Uni- incurred. However, the West and others believe in their desire to build versity Malaysia. especially the international media al- the Daulah Islamiyah (the Islamic Caliphate). Dr. Farish Noor, who was the first The trend is worry- panelist, spoke ing because the about the need militants are able to understand to reach a bigger the reason be- and wider audi- hind the recent ence especially acts of violence the younger gene- conducted by ration who are the various mili- more gullible and tant or radical easily influenced groups especial- by dreams of ly in Iraq and creating an Islamic Syria. He reasoned that the violence ready had the preconceived idea that Caliphate in the Middle East and even- and militant uprising should be studied any aggression or extremism is due to tually the rest of the world. from the perspective of Ibnu Khaldun, Islamic militants or radicals and there the renowned Muslim scholar who is nothing Islamic about the IS. said that radicalism, extremism and even terrorism, was due to colonisa- Mr. Ahmad El Muhammady, in turn, tion. Among the other reasons that spoke about how the IS militants were cited by Dr. Farish Noor were exploited the social media to gain frustration, anger, economic aspects, support, followers and sympathy the failure of the ruling government especially from the young generation. and socio-political issues. These rea- The ability to spread their messages sons forced the young and oppressed globally was demonstrated when CONTENTS Find us on 1 Panel Discussion on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/IL) Facebook 2-3 Profile of Prominent Person 4-7 Forum 8-13 News 14-19 In and Around IDFR 20-32 News DIPLOMATIC VOICE