Recently leaked ISIS documents and Associated Press interviews with former recruits have revealed that a large proportion of potential recruits have very limited knowledge of Islam. Apparently ISIS issues recruits a questionnaire that is used to assess their understanding of Islam, and 70 percent were found to have a "basic" knowledge of the religion. Only 24 percent of them were considered "intermediate", and only 5 percent had "advanced" knowledge. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what category a recruit falls into because ISIS will still gladly accept them. In fact, ISIS would probably prefer it if more of their prospective soldiers were completely ignorant of the Koran because it means they are more likely to accept the organization's wrongful interpretations of scripture and Islamic law. With such a limited knowledge of the subject, who are new recruits to question the ISIS agenda?
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How some ISIS recruits chose to learn about Islam
To them, it seems that anyone who knows more about Islam is an expert. The results of the AP's investigation are evidence that religion is not the primary motivation for joining ISIS. Richard Skinner, a former CIA case officer turned security consultant, explains in a Huffington Post article that recruits seek belonging, as well as a sense of notoriety and excitement. They may not even know they are joining ISIS at first. One of the AP's anonymous sources, a gay European convert, decided he was in the wrong place when he read the question of who to contact in the event of his death and heard praise for martyrdom. Another man, Karim Mohammad-Aggad, claims he was smooth-talked into joining ISIS while out barhopping with a man who turned out to be a recruiter for the organization. Aggad says that "Islam was used to trap me like a wolf", which suggests that he was in part swayed by his own desire to learn more about the religion, but then balked when he realized his curiosity was being used to lead him down a dangerous path. Aggad's claims of being misled weren't enough to spare him from a nine year prison sentence.
Who represents true Islam?
If finding a sense of belonging really is the more important motivation for potential ISIS recruits, fighting the organization on the ground and online is not enough. Young men who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves need to know that there are better outlets than joining a terrorist organization, outlets that don't cause death and suffering. Getting to know others who are struggling to find their way in life and bonding over common interests can open some doors. For more religiously minded guys, volunteering at a church or mosque, attending services and study groups with fellow neophytes are just a few ways to learn more about a religion without propaganda. Muslims shouldn't have to apologize or condemn the actions of extremists after every terrorist attack, but religious leaders and scholars can take responsibility for challenging the radical teachings of ISIS and other terrorist groups.
