Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Islam, Radicalism & Extremism in the age of Pandemic

As major crises brought by the COVID-19 pandemic preoccupy the attention of global communities, the threat of violence and terrorism fueled by radical or extreme interpretations of religion remains a palpable concern. In March 2020, at the outset of the pandemic, the Islamic State (IS) launched critical attacks in seven countries: Egypt, Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somalia, and Yemen. In the following month of April, ISIS launched over 100 attacks in Iraq, the highest number for the year 2020. Throughout the pandemic,  attacks carried out by groups such as ISKP, Balochistan Liberation Army, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam, and others have claimed the lives of hundreds and continue to severely affect the livelihood of millions. Additionally, statistics for India, Pakistan, and the Malay Archipelago showed no decline in terrorist attacks even as the pandemic reached its full swing by the end of 2020.

 

This roundtable discussion aims to provide a platform for critical discussion, on the interplay between interpretations of Islam, politics, and society. In particular, the RTD will focus on current developments of Islamic radicalism and extremism in the age of a global pandemic where the general burden of society has significantly increased and gaps in international and national security widen.