By Atiq Raja
Radicalization has become one of the defining challenges of our time, quietly shaping conflicts, societies, and policies across the globe. It is not a problem confined to any single country, religion, or ideology. Instead, it cuts across borders and beliefs, reaching into the hearts and minds of individuals from a multitude of backgrounds. At its core, radicalization is a profoundly human experience—a process of transformation that reflects deeper fractures within societies and within ourselves. To address it effectively, we must understand its complexities not as abstract threats, but as symptoms of unresolved grievances, unmet needs, and sometimes desperate searches for identity and meaning.
Radicalization is often misunderstood as simply an embrace of violence or extremism, but it is more accurately seen as a gradual process by which an individual or group adopts beliefs and behaviors far outside mainstream social and political norms. This can lead to the rejection of pluralism, tolerance, and democracy, sometimes culminating in violence. Importantly, radicalization is not the sole province of any single ideology or religion. It emerges in varied forms, whether it be religious fundamentalism, nationalist fervor, far-right or far-left political extremism. The common thread is the move towards absolute certainty—an unwavering belief that their cause justifies any means, often ignoring the human cost.
Why do individuals become radicalized? The reasons are many, but at the heart of the process is often a profound sense of alienation and loss of identity. Especially among young people, who are in a formative stage of life, feelings of exclusion, marginalization, and despair create fertile ground for extremist narratives. When society appears indifferent or hostile, radical ideologies step in to fill the void, offering not only a sense of belonging but a powerful identity and a mission. In this way, extremist groups exploit the very human need to feel part of something greater than oneself. Social injustice also plays a central role. When individuals or communities experience real or perceived political oppression, economic deprivation, racial discrimination, or foreign occupation, these grievances can harden into resentment and anger.
Such emotions are fertile soil for those who promise justice through upheaval or revenge. The complexity of modern geopolitics and local conflicts means that radicalization often draws on a mixture of genuine grievances and ideological exploitation, making it hard to separate cause from effect. The rise of the internet and social media has dramatically changed the landscape. Online platforms have become powerful tools for spreading propaganda, recruiting new followers, and creating echo chambers where extreme views are amplified and normalized. Through carefully crafted content that appeals to emotion, vulnerable individuals are targeted and drawn deeper into radical belief systems. The digital world’s capacity to bypass traditional community or family influences poses new challenges for prevention and intervention.
Religious misinterpretation is another factor often highlighted in discussions about radicalization. Extremist groups frequently distort religious texts and teachings, using them to justify violence and hatred. This manipulation can spread rapidly in communities with limited religious literacy or critical thinking skills, where such distorted narratives go unchallenged. Yet, it would be a mistake to reduce radicalization solely to religion, as ideological rigidity exists across many worldviews. Education—or the lack of it—is crucial. Where education systems fail to encourage questioning, critical analysis, and empathy, young people are left vulnerable to simplistic and absolutist narratives. Schools that merely encourage rote learning without fostering intellectual curiosity or understanding of diversity inadvertently create conditions in which extremist ideas can take root unopposed.
The breakdown of family and social structures also contributes. In environments marked by violence, neglect, or instability, young people may seek out alternative communities for security and meaning. Radical groups and gangs often provide what they cannot find at home: a sense of control, identity, and purpose. Addressing radicalization requires a nuanced, compassionate, and multi-dimensional approach. Education must be reimagined to promote critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and an understanding of history and ethics from an early age. Governments need to ensure policies are inclusive, transparent, and just, reducing marginalization and building trust among all communities. Youth must be engaged actively in civic life and peacebuilding, given roles that empower and value their voices.
De-radicalization programs that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment are essential. These initiatives use psychological counselling, vocational training, and sometimes religious re-education to reintegrate individuals into society as productive citizens. Equally important are digital counter-narratives: positive stories of coexistence, tolerance, and truth must flood online spaces to challenge extremist propaganda. Interfaith and intercultural dialogue play a vital role in breaking down stereotypes and humanizing those seen as “the other.” Building bridges between communities creates understanding that undermines divisive ideologies. Families, religious leaders, and community influencers are frontline defenders, often identifying early signs of radicalization and providing the support needed to redirect vulnerable individuals.
Ultimately, radicalization is not a fixed destiny but a process that can be interrupted, reversed, and replaced with hope. The antidote to extremism lies not in repression but in connection—building societies where every person feels valued and heard, where hope prevails over hatred, and where justice is more than a distant ideal. Treating radicalization as a societal failure rather than merely a security threat calls for compassion, collaboration, and creativity. If we are to build a peaceful future, we must listen with empathy to those who feel alienated and disenfranchised, and respond with policies and communities that affirm their dignity and potential. Only then can the cycle of radicalization be broken, making way for a world where diversity is embraced, dialogue flourishes, and violence becomes an ever more distant memory.
(The writer is a rights activist and CEO of AR Trainings and Consultancy, with degrees in Political Science and English Literature, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
