Invisible Asia Ep 1:  'My ISIS fighter brother turned me into an advocate against terror'

10:23 mins

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen, unheard and little talked about.  Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts.

The Straits Times' regional correspondent Tan Jia Ning narrates and also speaks to Muhammad In’am Amin, 44, in Indonesia.

He is the founder of Kopi Gandroeng in Jogjakarta, the base for his counter-terrorism organisation Yayasan Lingkar Perdamaian (Peace Network Foundation).

In'am's brother, Wildan Mukhollad, was the first Indonesian to die fighting for the Islamic State terrorist group in the Middle East, in 2014. Wildan was only 19. 

In'am recalls how Wildan became radicalised soon after leaving to study in Egypt  (2:25)

Their family is labelled as "terrorists" and ostracised in their village after Wildan's death (3:28)

In'am rebuilds life in Jogjakarta, helping to pull vulnerable youth back from the brink of religious extremism (4:49)

His strategy proves an effective alternative to the government’s deradicalisation programmes (6:17)

The Quran's words of tolerance, mercy and kindness must ring louder than those of war and jihad, In'am says (8:35)

Read Tan Jia Ning's story here: https://str.sg/Jjhe

Produced by: Tan Jia Ning, Magdalene Fung, Ernest Luis & Adam Azlee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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