Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin
Encyclopedia
Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin is a Deputy-Shaykh of the Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari
school authorized by Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi; the second most influential Muslim in the world according to a 2009 Reuters
online poll of over 1.8 million voters. Amiruddin is the Founder of Al Sunnah Foundation and The Centre for Ishmaelite Research and Policy. He founded the concept of a systematic 12 step de-radicalization program in 2006, in response to the 2006 Toronto terrorism case
.
Wilfred Laurier University's "The Laurier M.A. Journal of Religion and Culture" writes, “…the establishment of Amiruddin’s Al Sunnah Foundation and the twelve-step program…can be seen as inspiring and reinforcing the flurry of activism that has continued to emerge from within the community since mid-2009...This growing anti-jihadist activism includes Canadian-based sheikh Tahir ul-Qadri independently issuing a 600-page document in London in March 2010, thoroughly refuting any potential theological justifications for Islamic extremism and going so far as to state that terrorists and suicide bombers are destined for damnation”.
Amiruddin's program focuses primarily on the psycho-spiritual development and ideological rehabilitation of at-risk youth, and was specifically tailored to undermine the ideological underpinnings of extremist ideology.
Amiruddin first presented his 12-step de-radicalization program before Canadian politicians at Canada 2020 with Al Gore
in June 2006 in Mont Tremblanc, and follow up meetings specifically regarding the program and its goals were held with community leaders. In December 2008, Amiruddin presented it before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) and community leaders.
Following Amiruddin's 2008 presentation to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
, in 2009, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
published a report on "Terrorism and Language" stating:
"...many contemporary terrorist movements-including Afghanistan’s Taliban and al-Qai’da - have theological roots in Wahhabism, a sect that forms the “state orthodoxy” of contemporary Saudi Arabia. Wahhabism is a particularly strict interpretation of Islam that adheres to the Salafist notion that “pure” Islam must be rooted in the teachings of the “early fathers”...“Wahhabist” and “Salafist” have been used extensively to define particular types of terrorism...elements of Wahabbism could give rise to a mindset that includes extremist action - as 9/11 itself demonstrates...".
Amiruddin was interviewed by Fox News about the program in Feb of 2009, and in June 2009, the Toronto Star
, Canada's largest newspaper, published a story about Amiruddin's program and the effect it has had on the lives of 'would be radicals', stating, 'Islamic ‘detox’ saved student from terror cell'.
process. Amiruddin recommended the proliferation of an integral cultural counter-narrative in the context of being Canadian, and testified before the committee:
"Much different from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
equation, the radicalization
process of Western‐raised individuals is not triggered by oppression
, perceived suffering, revenge or desperation; rather, this radicalization is motivated specifically by ideology
. The jihadi, or the Salafi
-jihadist ideology is the ideology that drives young men and women born and raised in the West to carry out "autonomous jihad" via acts of terrorism
against their home countries. While many followers of this particular stream of Islam
may not directly advocate jihad
via acts of terrorism, or may even condemn terrorism wholly, the fact remains that this is the only stream within the Islamic tradition that is directly conducive to the radicalization process and the sanctioning of "autonomous jihad" via acts of terrorism. The Salafi
ideology has served as the inspiration for numerous homegrown groups, including the Madrid 2004 bombers (2004 Madrid train bombings), Amsterdam's Hofstad Group, London's July 2005 bombers (7 July 2005 London bombings
), and specifically the Toronto 18 group arrested in 2006...In order to create and sustain effective de-radicalization strategies, a major component of counter-terrorism involves the prevention of radicalization through fostering committed partnerships with expert groups within a given community who are working for the de-legitimization of violent extremism. The proliferation of an integral Islamic counter-narrative in the context of being Canadian, and the integration of people at the individual, social, and political level".
, the UN secretary general's special representative for children and armed conflict, urged the U.S. military commission to allow Omar Khadr
to return to Canada to be rehabilitated, rather than be detained further in a U.S. facility, Amiruddin, told CBC News
in a television interview he believed his 12-step de-radicalization program, with the assistance of his team of psychologists and psychiatrists, social workers, Islamic and Interfaith
clergy
, academics, and life coaches trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
could rehabilitate Khadr.
Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari
Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari was the founder of what would become the Naqshbandi. He was born in Bukhara which is located in Uzbekistan...
school authorized by Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi; the second most influential Muslim in the world according to a 2009 Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
online poll of over 1.8 million voters. Amiruddin is the Founder of Al Sunnah Foundation and The Centre for Ishmaelite Research and Policy. He founded the concept of a systematic 12 step de-radicalization program in 2006, in response to the 2006 Toronto terrorism case
2006 Toronto terrorism case
The 2006 Ontario terrorism case refers to the plotting of a series of attacks against targets in Southern Ontario, Canada, and the June 2, 2006, counter-terrorism raids in and around the Greater Toronto Area that resulted in the arrest of 18 people found to be Al-Qaeda members of an Islamic...
.
Wilfred Laurier University's "The Laurier M.A. Journal of Religion and Culture" writes, “…the establishment of Amiruddin’s Al Sunnah Foundation and the twelve-step program…can be seen as inspiring and reinforcing the flurry of activism that has continued to emerge from within the community since mid-2009...This growing anti-jihadist activism includes Canadian-based sheikh Tahir ul-Qadri independently issuing a 600-page document in London in March 2010, thoroughly refuting any potential theological justifications for Islamic extremism and going so far as to state that terrorists and suicide bombers are destined for damnation”.
Amiruddin's program focuses primarily on the psycho-spiritual development and ideological rehabilitation of at-risk youth, and was specifically tailored to undermine the ideological underpinnings of extremist ideology.
Amiruddin first presented his 12-step de-radicalization program before Canadian politicians at Canada 2020 with Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
in June 2006 in Mont Tremblanc, and follow up meetings specifically regarding the program and its goals were held with community leaders. In December 2008, Amiruddin presented it before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP) and community leaders.
Following Amiruddin's 2008 presentation to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
, in 2009, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
published a report on "Terrorism and Language" stating:
"...many contemporary terrorist movements-including Afghanistan’s Taliban and al-Qai’da - have theological roots in Wahhabism, a sect that forms the “state orthodoxy” of contemporary Saudi Arabia. Wahhabism is a particularly strict interpretation of Islam that adheres to the Salafist notion that “pure” Islam must be rooted in the teachings of the “early fathers”...“Wahhabist” and “Salafist” have been used extensively to define particular types of terrorism...elements of Wahabbism could give rise to a mindset that includes extremist action - as 9/11 itself demonstrates...".
Amiruddin was interviewed by Fox News about the program in Feb of 2009, and in June 2009, the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, Canada's largest newspaper, published a story about Amiruddin's program and the effect it has had on the lives of 'would be radicals', stating, 'Islamic ‘detox’ saved student from terror cell'.
Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism
On Oct 4, 2010 Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin was asked to appear before the Senate of Canada's Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism to discuss details of his program and share with the committee his insight on the homegrown radicalizationRadicalization
Radicalization is the process in which an individual changes from passiveness or activism to become more revolutionary, militant or extremist. Radicalization is often associated with youth, adversity, alienation, social exclusion, poverty, or the perception of injustice to self or others.-...
process. Amiruddin recommended the proliferation of an integral cultural counter-narrative in the context of being Canadian, and testified before the committee:
"Much different from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Israeli–Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
equation, the radicalization
Radicalization
Radicalization is the process in which an individual changes from passiveness or activism to become more revolutionary, militant or extremist. Radicalization is often associated with youth, adversity, alienation, social exclusion, poverty, or the perception of injustice to self or others.-...
process of Western‐raised individuals is not triggered by oppression
Oppression
Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. It can also be defined as an act or instance of oppressing, the state of being oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, and...
, perceived suffering, revenge or desperation; rather, this radicalization is motivated specifically by ideology
Ideology
An ideology is a set of ideas that constitutes one's goals, expectations, and actions. An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things , as in common sense and several philosophical tendencies , or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to...
. The jihadi, or the Salafi
Salafi
A Salafi come from Sunni Islam is a follower of an Islamic movement, Salafiyyah, that is supposed to take the Salaf who lived during the patristic period of early Islam as model examples...
-jihadist ideology is the ideology that drives young men and women born and raised in the West to carry out "autonomous jihad" via acts of terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
against their home countries. While many followers of this particular stream of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
may not directly advocate jihad
Jihad
Jihad , an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād translates as a noun meaning "struggle". Jihad appears 41 times in the Quran and frequently in the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of God ". A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid; the plural is...
via acts of terrorism, or may even condemn terrorism wholly, the fact remains that this is the only stream within the Islamic tradition that is directly conducive to the radicalization process and the sanctioning of "autonomous jihad" via acts of terrorism. The Salafi
Salafi
A Salafi come from Sunni Islam is a follower of an Islamic movement, Salafiyyah, that is supposed to take the Salaf who lived during the patristic period of early Islam as model examples...
ideology has served as the inspiration for numerous homegrown groups, including the Madrid 2004 bombers (2004 Madrid train bombings), Amsterdam's Hofstad Group, London's July 2005 bombers (7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
), and specifically the Toronto 18 group arrested in 2006...In order to create and sustain effective de-radicalization strategies, a major component of counter-terrorism involves the prevention of radicalization through fostering committed partnerships with expert groups within a given community who are working for the de-legitimization of violent extremism. The proliferation of an integral Islamic counter-narrative in the context of being Canadian, and the integration of people at the individual, social, and political level".
Counter-radicalization and de-radicalization
When Radhika CoomaraswamyRadhika Coomaraswamy
Radhika Coomaraswamy is the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed her to the position in April 2006...
, the UN secretary general's special representative for children and armed conflict, urged the U.S. military commission to allow Omar Khadr
Omar Khadr
Omar Ahmed Khadr is a Canadian child soldier and one of the juveniles held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. He was convicted of five charges under the United States Military Commissions Act of 2009 including murder in violation of the law of war and providing material support for terrorism,...
to return to Canada to be rehabilitated, rather than be detained further in a U.S. facility, Amiruddin, told CBC News
CBC News
CBC News is the department within the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the news gathering and production of news programs on CBC television, radio and online services...
in a television interview he believed his 12-step de-radicalization program, with the assistance of his team of psychologists and psychiatrists, social workers, Islamic and Interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
, academics, and life coaches trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
could rehabilitate Khadr.