In Singapore, there are a number of grassroots initiatives designed to provide a platform for inter- and intra-religious dialogue, and for dispelling myths and misconceptions, particularly surrounding Islam.
The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) is a voluntary group of Islamic teachers and scholars in Singapore that was formed in 2003. The RRG seeks to counter radicalisation and extremism with the ideals of moderation through the spirit of ‘loving, caring and sharing’ for a cohesive Singapore.
The RRG was initially formed to rehabilitate detained Jemaah Islamiah (JI) members and their families through counselling. It has since broadened its scope to help correct misinterpretations promoted by persons deemed ‘radicalised individuals’ and those in support of ISIS. The RRG’s stated mission is to correct the misinterpretation of Islamic concepts, and dispel ideologies categorised as ‘terrorist’ or ‘extremist’ individuals are thought to have been indoctrinated with.
The rehabilitation programme also aims to help foster a better understanding of Islam in the Singaporean context. Besides its primary counselling and rehabilitation work, the RRG is also committed to building social resilience in the community through its outreach programmes. Since 2005, the RRG has organised conferences, forums, dialogue sessions and briefings to educate the community about key Islamic concepts, which have often been misinterpreted by terrorist groups such as JI, Al Qaeda and ISIS.