Brits fighting with ISIS ‘should be rehabilitated’ Academic reveals findings of new study of British Muslims
RETURNING ISIS fighters should be rehabilitated rather than locked up, young British Muslims have told a national study.
And research by a Birmingham academic who is a leading expert on extremism and Islamophobia has found greater integration is the key to tackling extremism.
Dr Imran Awan, Associate Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University, wanted to give voice to young Muslims to find out why they feel British citizens are travelling to join jihadi groups and what can be done to stop them.
He conducted research in Birmingham and other UK towns and cities where there is a track record of people travelling to Iraq and Syria.
Dr Awan consulted 25 male and 25 female British Muslims aged between 14 and 25.
Ten of the research group were from Birmingham, which was the home city of ISIS propagandist Junaid Hussain, who was killed in a US drone strike.
One interviewee said: “When people feel isolated and angry because they are not being treated with respect and if they go out and fight in Syria and when they come back there is no help, then I promise you, you will see more terrorism because these young people will think ‘why should I do anything when my own Government don’t care about me?’”
Other interviewees suggested young Muslims were joining ISIS because they were looking for adventure. One said: “They want some excitement in their lives and are pushing those boundaries.”
Around 850 people from the UK have travelled to join extremist groups in Iraq and Syria, according to British authorities. Around half have since returned to the UK. Returning fighters are either convicted and imprisoned if they have committed a crime or referred to the ‘Channel’ deradicalisation programme under Government strategy. Dr Awan cited rehabilitation programmes in Denmark that have been “successful in terms of policing and making sure returnee fighters are looking for jobs and contributing towards society”. He also said former jihadis could “provide a powerful counter narrative” in steering others away from extremist groups. Dr Awan wants the police and government to reengage with the Muslim community which he has warned feels increasingly stigmatised in the wake of attacks by terrorists.