Part: 2
Written by: Ahmad Abid
In the initial part of this article, we discussed that attracting people is the most fundamental factor for the survival and continuity of any political or religious movement. Consequently, ISIS also employs various promotional and propaganda mechanisms to enlist individuals into its ranks. In this segment, we shall delve into the distinct rationales behind individuals gravitating towards recruitment by ISIS.
1: Economic Motivations
Among these approaches, economic inducements play a pivotal and efficacious role in recruitment. ISIS entices potential members by proffering high salaries.
It appears that numerous young individuals, disheartened by destitution, lack of education, and joblessness, and bereft of optimism for a brighter future, ultimately gravitate towards joining ISIS.
Tajikistan serves as a stark exemplification of this phenomenon. With a populace of ten million, it stands as one of the most impoverished nations in Central Asia, with hundreds of thousands of its citizens relocating to other countries, particularly Russia, in pursuit of sustenance. Conforming to reports, over two million Tajik men reside abroad as migrant laborers, rendering them vulnerable to succumbing to the enticement of ISIS.
From an economic viewpoint, ISIS predominantly targets the most vulnerable and deprived sections of society. Those who align themselves with this organization frequently do so driven by economic considerations and aspirations.
While people of Central Asia once achieved significant development during the Soviet era—progressive compared to other parts of Asia—they have since seen a steady decline in living standards. Thus, it’s not surprising that individuals may seek a better future and, at the same time, the appearance of religious leadership by joining ISIS.
ISIS combines financial promises with robust propaganda to turn impoverished youth into operational forces.
To this end, ISIS offers certain financial support in its training centers and even promises to arrange marriage opportunities for young recruits.
Economic motivations appeal to wealth seekers as well, encouraging them to join ISIS. Although the economically deprived are most easily enticed, ISIS also sets traps to lure in the wealthy.
Thus, unemployed youth and the lower classes—frustrated and disillusioned with society and mentally vulnerable—are prepared to embrace extremist and radical ideologies. These individuals often channel their anger towards society by ideologically aligning themselves with ISIS.
