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Indoctrinating Children: pimples on his face and short,” attacked system because their children are a press club in Peshawar, killing three provided free education and room and The Making of ’s people.6 Another teenager “wearing board. In comparison, many government Suicide Bombers a vest with as many as 15 pounds of schools have limited teaching materials explosives” blew himself up near a and “an inadequate number of properly By Kalsoom Lakhani protest rally in Peshawar in April 2010, trained teachers, or in many cases killing a prominent police officer and absent teachers.”12 As a result, some in numerous armed conflicts, children as many as two dozen protesters.7 The families choose to send their children continue to be used as weapons of war. attack was later claimed by Lashkar- away to religious schools. According to Human Rights Watch, i-Jhanghvi, a group from the Punjabi the military recruitment of children nexus. According to Chinoy, the first stage in under 18 years of age and their use the indoctrination process involves the in hostilities occurs in at least 86 To comprehend the gravity of the child severing of young children from their countries and territories, with Amnesty militant phenomenon in Pakistan, families.13 Since they receive free board International estimating that there it is first necessary to understand and education, a sense of loyalty and are approximately 250,000 children the process of indoctrination, which obligation between the students and the fighting in conflicts worldwide.1 In ultimately socializes young recruits into madrasa develops. From a psychological Pakistan, a significant and disturbing hardened fighters. By understanding perspective, the separation of a child number of suicide bombers were this psychology, it is possible to find from parental control subsequently between 12 and 18 years of age, with one productive solutions. leads them to look toward a father estimate placing that number at 90%.2 surrogate as their new authority, noted Although young militants are generally The Role of Madrasas in Radicalization Jerrold Post, a Professor of Psychiatry, teenagers when asked to carry out Sources differ on the actual number of Political Psychology and International suicide attacks, the indoctrination of madrasas (religious schools) in Pakistan. Affairs at The George Washington children often starts at a much younger According to the Council on Foreign University.14 In the case of the madrasa age. In the PBS documentary Children of Relations, “Experts say there is no system, this surrogate often takes the the Taliban, journalist Sharmeen Obaid credible information for the number of form of the school cleric or teacher, Chinoy interviewed Taliban commander unregistered madrassas, but estimates whose sermons many young boys accept Qari Hussain, who boasted that he of registered madrassas range from ten without question. also recruits children as young as five, thousand to twenty thousand.”8 When six and seven years old, emphasizing, looking at the numbers of children who Children at a young age are “Children are tools to achieve God’s attend school in the country, however, deeply vulnerable, malleable and will. And whatever comes your way, only a small percentage (1.3%) receives impressionable, traits often manipulated you sacrifice it.”3 a madrasa education, versus 65% who by group leaders in conflicts throughout attend public schools and 34% who the world to indoctrinate child soldiers. In the last year alone, child suicide go to private schools.9 Nevertheless, According to Post, “The psychology of bombers have perpetrated a number according to South Asia expert Christine morality and conscience is something of attacks in Pakistan. In June 2009, Fair, madrasas are still concerning as they that is absorbed during childhood, and news agencies reported that a teenage may produce students who are more if that childhood is spent carrying out or suicide bomber detonated explosives likely than students in mainstream viewing acts of violence, it can be a very in the office of a prominent cleric and schools to support militancy.10 powerful and scary phenomenon.”15 supporter of the Pakistani offensive against the Taliban.4 The cleric, Sarfraz While not all religious schools in In the case of Pakistan, the dependency Naeemi, was killed in the attack, as well Pakistan are radical in nature, some between the student and the school is as three others.5 In December 2009, a estimates claim that about 15% preach further strengthened by the madrasa teenage suicide bomber, who a police violence or militancy.11 In areas with curriculum. According to Azhar chief described as “under 20 with a high concentration of madrasas, low- Hussain, a consultant with various income families may choose this school international organizations on madrasa 1 “Child Soldiers Global Report 2008,” Human Rights enhancement in Pakistan, the curriculum Watch, May 20, 2008. The 250,000 figure is drawn 6 “Teen Suicide Bomber Kills 3 at Pakistan Press Club,” in these schools is focused on religion, from the “Child Soldiers” section of Amnesty Interna- Kuwait Times, December 23, 2009. and rarely incorporates subjects such tional’s website. 7 Sabrina Tavernise, “Bomber Strikes Near Pakistan as math or sciences, disciplines that 2 Zahid Hussain, an expert on the Taliban who has inter- Rally,” Times, April 19, 2010. ultimately foster critical thinking and 16 viewed many children trained to become suicide bomb- 8 Jayshree Bajoria, “Pakistan’s Education System and analysis. In many of these madrasas, ers, provided this figure to CNN journalist Anderson Links to Extremism,” Council on Foreign Relations, Oc- students are also not allowed to watch Cooper, which was broadcast on “ 360 tober 7, 2009. Degrees,” on January 5, 2010. 9 Tahir Andrabi, Jishnu Das, C. Christine Fair, and Asim 12 Bajoria. 3 Dan Edge, Children of the Taliban, PBS Frontline, Au- Ijaz Khwaja, “The Madrasa Myth,” Foreign Policy, June 1, 13 Personal interview, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, May 10, gust 14, 2009. 2009. 2010. 4 Alex Rodriguez, “Taliban Critic Slain in Pakistan Sui- 10 Bajoria. 14 Personal interview, Jerrold Post, April 30, 2010. cide Bombing,” Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2009. 11 Douglas Johnston, “Madrassa Reform Key,” Washing- 15 Ibid. 5 Ibid. ton Times, August 7, 2009. 16 Personal interview, Azhar Hussain, May 8, 2010.

11 june 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 6 television or read any materials not The Culture of Martyrdom of the Taliban, noted that older students prescribed by their school and are Not all madrasas are radical, and many in the schools (teenagers 15-18-years- “severely reprimanded and made an that preach hatred and intolerance old) also influence the younger children example if they do,” explained Chinoy. do not necessarily advocate violence. (9-12-years-old), framing jihadist The use of intimidation is therefore an At the same time, there is a culture fighters and suicide bombers as heroes important tool in indoctrination. As of martyrdom to which children who bring value to society and should a result, most madrasa students do not become acclimated while attending be emulated.25 According to Hussain, question or probe teachings centered on these schools. According to Post, the students as young as nine years old say narrow and arbitrary interpretations of evolution of suicide bombing in the if there were an opportunity to harm Islam. Islamist context has involved “taking Western interests, they would not hesitate in sacrificing themselves for The Common Narrative “While adult suicide “the greater good.”26 Despite the numerous types of madrasas, as well as militant organizations, one bombers may experience Surrender to the collective or group simple and overarching narrative seems some ‘existential identity is also a transformation to tie these entities together. While that occurs in the indoctrination there are variations on the enemy, more grappling,’ young children process. While adult suicide bombers radical schools base their fundamental are unable to process the may experience some “existential narrative around the notion that Islam grappling,” young children are unable is under attack. In his work on madrasas, meaning of ending one’s to process the meaning of ending one’s Azhar Hussain found that numerous life, especially if rewards life, especially if rewards are promised schools infuse teachings of religion with in the afterlife.27 Images and stories of anti-U.S. sentiment, delivering firebrand are promised in the virgins, rivers of milk and honey, and sermons that depict the afterlife.” other heavenly delights in paradise, as as the villain in the narrative, the force well as propaganda videos celebrating that threatens Islamic traditions and the acts of jihadist fighters, further values.17 While perceived allies of the enforce the allure of suicide bombing.28 United States, including the Pakistani something that is prohibited in the Holy Children are also told that by becoming state and NATO forces, are also vilified Qur’an—suicide—and reframing it as suicide bombers they are securing a in this scenario, the Pakistani military martyrdom.”22 Although the “greater” place in heaven for their families as in particular is a rallying cry. According jihad in Islam is the struggle within well.29 to Chinoy, clerics and militants frame oneself, firebrand clerics and militants the Pakistan Army’s operations against have shifted the emphasis to the “lesser” Children as Sacrifice militancy in Pakistan as proof that they jihad, or jihad of the sword, “which was From the radical madrasa and militant are “an enemy of Islam” since they are an obligation for Muslim men to protect perspective, children are seen as killing “fellow Muslims.”18 Chinoy Islam from invasion and its enemies.”23 expendable human resources. A noted, “Many don’t even consider the Ali and Post noted, “Over time, the common term used by extremist clerics military to be a Muslim Army.”19 terms jihad and martyrdom were in reference to these indoctrinated misappropriated by terrorist leaders students, noted Azhar Hussain, is This simple but polarizing narrative is and their members to justify acts of Qurbani ka bakra, or sacrifice. A cleric fundamental within the child militant violence in the name of Islam.”24 from a madrasa outside Lahore context because it is digestible, noted once told Hussain, “This is a gift from Farhana Ali, a terrorism analyst who In radical madrasas, the reframing of both God that we have an unlimited number researches madrasas.20 “The narrative jihad and martyrdom are instrumental of youngsters willing to become Qurbani doesn’t have to be true,” she emphasized. in glorifying the acts of suicide bombers. ka bakra to teach America a lesson.”30 “If that’s what feeds young minds it’s These themes also further reinforce the This callous framing by clerics and irrelevant if it’s false.”21 Moreover, given fundamental narrative—that Islam is radical madrasa leaders signifies how the the sense of dependency and obligation under threat, and suicide bombing is use of children as suicide bombers and that form between the student and the a tool “to teach the enemy a lesson,” a militants is a political tactic to bolster madrasa, children absorb their teachers’ phrase often used by radical clerics and power. In a system where religion often narrative as their own fairly quickly. teachers and subsequently parroted by becomes blurred with culture, children impressionable madrasa students. Chinoy, a journalist who spent a considerable 25 Personal interview, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, May 10, amount of time visiting madrasas in 2010. Pakistan for her documentary Children 26 Personal interview, Azhar Hussain, May 8, 2010. 27 Personal interview, Jerrold Post, April 30, 2010. 17 Ibid. 22 Personal interview, Jerrold Post, April 30, 2010. 28 Arwa Damon, “Taliban Brainwashes Kids with Vi- 18 Personal interview, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, May 10, 23 Farhana Ali and Jerrold Post, “The History and Evo- sions of Virgins,” CNN, January 6, 2010. 2010. lution of Martyrdom in the Service of Defensive Jihad: 29 Personal interview, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, May 10, 19 Ibid. An Analysis of Suicide Bombers in Current Conflicts,” 2010. 20 Personal interview, Farhana Ali, May 10, 2010. Social Research 75:2 (2008). 30 Hussain noted similar statements by clerics from ma- 21 Ibid. 24 Ibid. drasas throughout the country, including in Karachi.

12 june 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 6 who view the world in black-and-white open to listening to other adults.”34 The Third Way: A often have a hard time comprehending Therefore, intervention efforts must such nuanced distinctions. be made to train and build capacity of Paradigm for Influence in potential guidance counselors to bolster the Marketplace of Ideas By the time children go through years the rehabilitation process. of indoctrination in the madrasa system, By Scott Helfstein many are recruited or choose to join a More importantly, a comprehensive militant organization. Again, while not approach by the government of Pakistan prior attempts at crafting a all radical madrasas advocate the use of must be developed to address this sustainable long-term strategy for violence, these children have also heard phenomenon as a whole. If the source of combating terrorism fail to appreciate the same messages repeated over and the issue is the more extreme madrasas, the importance and power of the over again and have been socialized in an then long-term efforts must be made to dichotomous choice fostered by the al- atmosphere of hatred and intolerance. strengthen parallel education systems Qa`ida narrative.1 Al-Qa`ida maintains According to Azhar Hussain, among to provide more attractive choices for that the Muslim way of life is under siege more than 200 students he interviewed, families. In the short-term, efforts by by the West, and that Muslims have many voiced an affiliation for at least local and provincial authorities to engage two options: surrender or fight. Given one militant group, some noting they madrasas in curriculum reform, conflict this choice, some portion of the Islamic liked Lashkar-i-Tayyiba but not Tehrik- resolution training, and peace-building community will inevitably choose to i-Taliban Pakistan, or they preferred workshops must also be supported. fight. Long-term counterterrorism Jaysh-i-Muhammad to Lashkar-i- Moreover, the state should undertake policy looks toward political and Jhangvi.31 Although some militant continued efforts to discredit the economic solutions, focusing far less groups, including the TTP, recruit narrative espoused by radical madrasas on the attitudes and norms that al- children as young as six years old, and militant organizations. In Pakistan, Qa`ida manipulates to generate recruits children do not become suicide bombers the issue of radicalization is a complex and support. The key to draining this until they are teenagers.32 process, which can only be countered support, and improving the long-term through a holistic, multifaceted and strategic outlook, is by disrupting this Solutions nuanced strategy. choice and presenting a “third way.” In March 2010, the Pakistan Army established a boarding school to absorb Kalsoom Lakhani is director for Social Since the , and deradicalize 86 young militants in Vision, the venture philanthropy arm of ML there are numerous examples of the Swat Valley, who had either been Resources, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based hard fought tactical and operational captured by the military or brought in company. Ms. Lakhani also runs the blog counterterrorism victories, but efforts by their families.33 While the efforts CHUP, or Changing Up Pakistan, which aims to counter the spread of violent of this center should be lauded, more to raise awareness on the issues affecting extremism have achieved limited resources must be allocated to absorb the Pakistan. Her articles have been published success. Al-Qa`ida today is a global overwhelming number of child fighters, in the Washington Post, Foreign Policy’s terrorist organization, carrying out particularly as Pakistan’s military AfPak Channel, Dawn, and the Huffington attacks against civilians around the gains ground against insurgents in the Post. She received a master’s degree in world, while simultaneously tied to country. International Affairs/Conflict Resolution regional and local insurgencies aimed from The George Washington University’s at overthrowing specific governments. Although many of these young Elliott School of International Affairs, and Kinetic activity, while important to recruits have experienced years of a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and security, will not provide a long-term indoctrination and radicalization, Studies from the University of Virginia. solution. Fundamentally, this is a norm- rehabilitation efforts must center on based fight, and al-Qa`ida’s leaders are providing them with an alternate and adept at framing issues in a normative legitimate surrogate authority, such way to generate the dichotomous choice. as a more moderate cleric or a member of the military. According to Hussain, The vast majority of people will never although many children with whom he aim to kill their neighbors or blow up spoke were willing to blow themselves a local café. Those prepared to do so go up, “Most were timid and very much through a period of radicalization and mobilization where choices steadily disappear, and they are faced with 31 Personal interview, Azhar Hussain, May 8, 2010. a single path. These people develop 32 If children are recruited at a young age, they go strong attitudes and overcome the through a similar indoctrination process until they are normative constraints on the use of teenagers. Prior to this time, they are also allowed to hold violence. Breaking this cycle is crucial guns, or ferry items around for the militant group. De- tails are based on personal interview, Sharmeen Obaid 1 The author would like to thank Nassir Abdullah, Alek- Chinoy, May 10, 2010. sander Matovski, Reid Sawyer, Bill Braniff, and Don 33 Kalsoom Lakhani, “We Neglect Child Soldiers at Our Rassler for comments and assistance on prior drafts. All Peril,” The AfPak Channel, March 29, 2010. 34 Personal interview, Azhar Hussain, May 8, 2010. mistakes are those of the author.

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