The (uninfectable) reputation against extremism and religious radicalism

Construction and the functioning of an anti-propagand campaign that individuals make, groups or organisations that identify themselves as the source of violent extremism and religious radicalism leading to terrorism, has been and remains part of Kosovo's National Strategy for preventing these phenomena.

The strategy has also developed the law sanctioning these actions, as well as the participation of Kosovo citizens in foreign wars.

But putting this anti-narration into operation aims to explain to people who are attached to the Middle East wars or who have called on to join terrorist groups, that it is wrong.

Topics and Errors

Outgoing Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Government of Kosovo Valdet Hoxha tells Radio Free Europe that counternarration against propaganda that comes from individuals, groups or organisations that precede violent extremism and religious radicalism leading to terrorism has meant to convince even those who are on the wrong path.

There is no way in this world that we can only react to and measure expectations against those who might even be manipulated. This strategy contains many activities, including conversation, in the first place even with those who have participated in the Middle East wars and who have repented”.

But the important thing is that we give great focus and importance to the family circle, even to the close family, but also to the social circle, in the neighborhoods of our citizens are headed towards the Middle East wars”, says Hoxha.

In the construction of counter-narration, the strategy envisions the involvement of different segments of society, since state institutions, institutions representing religious communities, as well as civil society.

The Kosovo Islamic Community has also participated in drafting the National Strategy for Prevention.

Vedat Sahiti, adviser to the Kosovo Islamic Community's Headship, speaking of Radio Free Europe, stresses that this religious institution has proposed, suggested and advised a host of measures for prevention, but also awareness of the consequences of religious-based extremism.

Besides the intergovernmental action plan, with all the country's institutions and civil society, the Islamic Community of Kosovo has drafted a strategy of itself and an operational plan within the institutions of the Islamic Community”.

“BIK has prepared counter-narritions against extremism, which we have conveyed even through organised speeches, whether in co-operation with the country's institutions or even with international organisations -- in this case I am mentioning, the OSCE to UNDP, the American Embassy, even through various lectures at the level of our Islamic Community institutions, perceiving our youth, in particular the risk of radicalism, against which neither societies nor states and even the more consolidated <61> says Sahhi.

How Important Is Religion in Young People?

Jabir Hamiti, professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies in Pristina, tells Radio Free Europe that the Islamic Community of Kosovo, recently, has taken some steps for the awareness of imams, in order not to fall into the snares of individuals and groups, who have ideological and political purposes in the name of religion.

There were various interpretations and approaches to religion. This should be considered and held intensive seminars with imams, so that you know where they live, under what circumstances they live, in what geographical and geopolitical positions they live at”.

Many of them are unaware even of the religious political currents that are active in the Arab world. So this is imidia, and it has to be done with steps as quickly as possible. Such a step, I have not noticed being intense within the leadership or current leaders of the Islamic Community of Kosovo”, Hamiti says.

Burim Ramadani, director of the Security Policy Research Centre, tells Radio Free Europe that efforts to build a counter-narration or argument that extremist and radical ideologies are wrong and limited, have remained largely as isolated efforts.

This counter-narration, according to him, should be built as a general, by all institutional and social factors. Construction of an anti-narration, according to him, should exclude any error that could affect radicalism, while, as he says, errors have been a lot.

“abim I'm calling the last case, in extremely poor management in the case of the announcement to kill synonymous with terrorism, Lavdrim Mujarrier. But this is not just a mistake. In fact, BIK has attempted to build an anti-narration, as a special institution. The government has begun to build a counter-narration. Civil society has been the most vocal with counter-narration”, Ramadani says.

Anti-narration effects

But has the anti-narration to extreme and radical ideologies with religious background so far created tangible construction effects?

Deputy Prime Minister Hoxha says institutions and society are on a good track to achieve results -- yes, he says, the work is not yet finished.

Until we reach a hundred percent result, I'm sure we shouldn't boast about this, because it's acts of cunning nature that never let us be sure that nothing will happen. But, because we're on a good track, that's more than proven”.

For one thing, there is no new going of our citizens into those wars. Then there are returnees, who are repentant and of course, facing justice. I remember that even their families, every day and more, are working together with security mechanisms”, Hoxha declares.

But Ramadani has a different opinion. According to him, factors that foster and influence radicalism, such as the isolation of young people, the discontent, the sense of lack of justice, as well as a just system and government, have not been eliminated.

“Unfortunately, the spread of violent extremism ideology and radicalism is ongoing. The trend of the number of Kosovo citizens who have joined foreign wars is in sharp decline. But the spread of ideology has continued to be, according to research we have done as the QKPS. At the same time, contributing factors in radicalisation are the same”, Ramadani says.

He adds that even in the recent campaign for early parliamentary elections in the country, debates have been seen that at certain points have been linked to religion, which, according to him, does not help counter ʹrrration to violent extremism and religious radicalism.

In general, according to him, this counter-narration has not been fully shaped and this should also be one of the future tasks of the country's new government.