Radical terrorists terrorize the world. From London to Barcelona, scores of people have fallen victim to disturbing public violence. Equally worrisome is the growing number of disillusioned citizens seduced by their perverse ideologies. Is there any chance of reform among these radical recruits? The creators of Hug a Jihadi travel to Denmark to showcase controversial rehabilitation efforts that favor compassion over condemnation.
The project, which took place in the city of Aarhus, has won praise and criticism in equal measure for its unusual approach. The consultants knew that ISIS recruiters were trying to target the most vulnerable, poorest, and most isolated candidates they could find; therefore, their mission was to intervene and disrupt the radicalization process before it fully took hold.
They do not use bullying or threats of imprisonment to achieve their goals. Instead, they spend time on each topic, listening to their concerns, offering guidance, and evoking their sense of moral justice and shared humanity.
The filmmakers introduce us to Jamal, a young man who feels unfairly discriminated against for being Muslim. This perceived injustice simmers in him until he discovers a twisted sense of purpose in the tug of radicalization. Fortunately, the police intervened before he jumped at the chance to join ISIS on the front lines in Syria. They urged him to meet with a Muslim adviser. Confronted with a mentor who understands his struggles, Jamal no longer feels like an outcast in need of emotional protection, and he finally reverses the destructive trajectory of his life.
Organizers of the scheme claim many such successes, but critics remain skeptical. They believe that according to the law, these recruits should be severely punished. But proponents insist that a more permissive approach is the only way to truly restore this dangerous mindset, and that increased aggression will only deepen the alienation that made these people vulnerable to radicalization in the first place.
Embracing jihadists exposes the frailties of the human psyche when people lack a strong sense of self-worth and belonging. The film also shows us how simple gestures of acceptance and compassion can change everything.
Directed by: Evan Williams, Joel Tozer
