Fooled by promise of a new start

Most of the Malaysian women who went to Syria experienced social problems before their trip to the wartorn Middle Eastern country.

For them, joining Islamic State (IS) was a means to absolve themselves of their past sins, according to the terror group’s deliberate misinterpretation of jihad, said Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayob Khan.

“Our intelligence indicates that at least 10 Malaysian women have gone to Syria to join IS.

“They are fooled by the promise of a new beginning, free of any sin,” he told The Star yesterday.

Among the social problems faced by the women were dropping out of school and universities and even being runaways.

“They also have little knowledge of Islam and, thus, are easily manipulated into serving the needs of IS.

“Most of them are enticed to join the terror group after being chatted up by goodlooking militants, who then convince them that heading to Syria is the right path to take,” he said, adding that the “brainwashed” women would leave everything behind to be with their husband stobe.

SAC Ayob said there were also those who wanted to join the fight in Syria to help their Sunni brothers, allegedly being oppressed by the Syiah.

“In their twisted minds, they will rationalise any crime or atrocity to achieve such goals,” he said.

He added that other militants viewed going to Syria as a form of hijrah (migration).

“They see Malaysia as a non-Muslim country and they would migrate to Islamic State, which, in their eyes, is a true Muslim sovereignty with a socalled khalifah (leader).

“In their minds, it is their responsibility to move away from a kufar (infidel) country like Malaysia and journey to Syria,” he said.

SAC Ayob explained that the self-proclamation of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as a khalifah was a signal for misguided Muslims to pledge their allegiance to him.

“We must remember that a khalifah (of a Muslim country) is chosen after a meeting of the syura (Islamic council).

“No one can appoint himself a khalifah,” he explained.