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Amman —

Expert calls for a social study of perpetrators of terrorist crimes

The Director of Sawt Al-Karak Radio and Professor of Sociology at Mutah University, Dr. Murad Al-Majali, emphasized the importance of conducting an in-depth social study of perpetrators of terrorist crimes, based on the "case study" methodology, with the aim of understanding the factors and reasons behind individuals' involvement in terrorist acts, and analyzing the psychological, social, familial, economic, and intellectual dimensions associated with this phenomenon, in a way that contributes to developing more effective preventive programs to limit the spread of extremist ideology and protect society from its dangers.

Al-Majali said that dealing with the phenomenon of terrorism requires moving beyond traditional treatments and moving towards understanding its roots and causes in a scientific and comprehensive manner, by studying the circumstances surrounding the perpetrators of terrorist crimes, the environments in which they grew up, and the nature of the familial and social relationships that formed part of their experiences, in addition to the intellectual, psychological, and economic influences that may have contributed to shaping their orientations and behaviors.

He added that adopting the "case study" methodology allows for a deeper understanding of the paths that may lead some individuals to adopt extremist ideology and engage in terrorist organizations, by analyzing each case independently, while taking into account its specificity and the surrounding circumstances, away from generalization or reducing the causes of extremism to a single factor.

He pointed out that terrorism is a complex phenomenon in which multiple factors overlap, which calls for the cooperation of researchers and specialists in sociology, psychology, social work, education, and economics, in addition to security, educational, and media institutions, to reach scientific results that can be relied upon in building policies and programs capable of addressing the causes that create an environment for the growth of extremist ideology.

Al-Majali explained that studying familial and social factors represents an important aspect of this path, by researching the nature of family upbringing, the level of cohesion within the family, social relationship networks, and the extent of the impact of isolation or weak societal belonging in some cases, while emphasizing that these indicators do not necessarily mean that individuals facing similar circumstances will turn to extremism or commit crimes.

He pointed to the importance of analyzing intellectual and media influences, especially the methods of recruiting individuals and promoting extremist rhetoric, and the role of digital platforms in spreading incitement ideas and providing virtual environments that extremist groups may exploit to influence certain groups, which calls for strengthening media and digital awareness, and consolidating critical thinking skills and the ability to distinguish between moderate intellectual discourse and content based on incitement and hatred.

Al-Majali stressed that the true value of these studies lies in translating their results into practical measures and preventive programs that are applicable and evaluable, including strengthening the role of the family, educational, youth, and media institutions, developing intellectual awareness programs, expanding opportunities for community participation, and providing psychological and social support when needed, in addition to monitoring early indicators of being influenced by extremist rhetoric and dealing with them using professional methods that respect the rights and dignity of individuals.

He added that the national media, led by local radio stations, plays a pivotal role in preventing extremism by spreading awareness, opening the way for responsible dialogue, promoting the values of citizenship, belonging, and tolerance, and confronting rumors and rhetoric that fuel hatred and division, as well as highlighting initiatives that enhance social cohesion and protect the national fabric.

He pointed out that addressing extremism requires a real partnership between state institutions, the local community, the family, and religious, educational, and media institutions, so that preventive, intellectual, and social efforts are integrated with the rule of law and holding criminals accountable, within a comprehensive vision.

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