Religious Rehabilitation Group (Singapore)

The Religious Rehabilitation Group (Abbreviation: RRG; Malay: Kumpulan Pemulihan Keagamaan; Jawi: كومڤولن ڤموليهن كاڬامأن; Chinese: 宗教改造小组; Tamil: மத மறுவாழ்வு குழு) is an organization of voluntary Islamic scholars and teachers in Singapore who assist in the religious rehabilitation and counselling of radicalised and self-radicalised individuals.

Religious Rehabilitation Group
كومڤولن ڤموليهن كاڬامأن (Jawi)
FormationAugust 2003
TypeReligious Volunteer Organisation
PurposeReligious Rehabilitation
HeadquartersKhadijah Mosque
Location
  • 583 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389522
Coordinates1°18'50.8"N 103°53'09.9"E
Co-Chairman
Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, Ali Haji Mohamad
AffiliationsInter-Agency Aftercare Group (ACG)
Volunteers
49[1]
Websitehttps://www.rrg.sg/

Formed in 2003, RRG's initial mission was to rehabilitate detained members of the regional terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).[2] Soon, RRG's focus was expanded to provide counselling and financial support for families of the detainees to prevent further radicalisation. Over the years, RRG has extended its outreach to the wider community in efforts to dispel misinterpretations of Islamic concepts and prevent them from falling under the influence of extremist terrorist ideology.[2][3][4][5]

The work of RRG has received domestic and international praise.[6][7][1][8] Among the aspects of RRG's work that were lauded include the counselling and care of families of detainees,[1] and its implementation of rehabilitation in an academic environment where it is willing to study and adapt.[9]

History

The RRG was co-founded by Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed and Ustaz Hasbi Hassan in April 2003 following the arrest and detention of Jemaah Islamiyah members in December 2001 and August 2002.[10][2]

In RRG's early beginnings, several Islamic teachers viewed RRG with suspicion, perceiving it to be merely a tool of the Government.[11] Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, Mufti of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), said that this was a psychological challenge that the Muslim community has to face, and that preachers and teachers must stand up and develop self-confidence in order to guide the community.[2]

Efforts

Counselling and outreach efforts

Since its formation, RRG has performed more than 1,500 counselling sessions, which also extend to the family members of detainees.[2]

In collaboration with other agencies, RRG conducts workshops and seminars at schools, madrasahs, and mosques.[12] Since its inception, RRG has written and published a series public education material, which include two counselling manuals and information booklets.[11]

On 1 June 2016, RRG launched a mobile app.[5][13]

Welfare of family members

RRG makes it a priority to maintain the social welfare of family members of detainees.[6][1] The counselling and care of family members ensure that rehabilitation continues at home even after the release of a detainee. Ustazah Kalthom Md Isa, an RRG counsellor, said: "We want the family members to be on the same page in terms of religious understanding. They play a key part in rehabilitating the detainees back into life after they are released."[1]

Contemporary challenges

A contemporary focus is now turned to young Muslims and education.[4] In light of terror-related propaganda online,[2] the RRG is also turning its attention to cyberspace.[8]

Accolades

References
  1. "Some ISA detainees were grateful when arrested: RRG". TODAYonline. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  2. "Religious rehabilitation, social integration key to counter-terrorism efforts: Experts". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  3. "About RRG". Religious Rehabilitation Group. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  4. Mohamed Bin Ali (2008). "De-Radicalisation Programmes: Changing Minds?". RSIS Commentaries. 100/2008.
  5. "Multiple avenues for friends, family to report signs of radicalisation in loved ones: RRG". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  6. "Media Releases - Singapore Press Holdings". www.sph.com.sg. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  7. "Religious Rehabilitation Group 'invaluable' in maintaining harmony: PM Lee". TODAYonline. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  8. S Ramesh (26 March 2013). "Singapore's de-radicalisation programme has attracted global interest: RSIS dean". Channel NewsAsia.
  9. Amir Hussain (26 Mar 2013). "'Anger, resentment, fear' hinder efforts to rehabilitate extremists". TODAY.
  10. "Jemaah Islamiyah's bomb plot (2001/2002) | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Singapore National Library Board. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  11. Elgin Toh (27 March 2013). "Religious Rehabilitation Group lauded". The Straits Times.
  12. "Outreach Efforts". Religious Rehabilitation Group. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  13. hermes (2016-06-01). "Religious doubts? Use app for private chat with counsellors". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  14. migration (2014-08-19). "Group that fights extremist ideology wins Berita Harian Achiever award". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
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