First Singaporean woman detained for radicalism tried to join IS, become 'martyr's widow'

SINGAPORE — A 22-year-old infant care assistant who wanted to be an Islamic State (IS) “martyr’s widow” has become the first female to be detained in Singapore for becoming radicalised, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday (June 12).

Syaikhah Izzah Zahrah Al Ansari was detained this month under the Internal Security Act (ISA), and had been working for less than a year at a People’s Action Party Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots preschool at Tampines Street 32. 

The Singaporean started becoming radicalised in 2013, at the age of 18, by online propaganda related to the IS terrorist group and had actively posted and shared pro-IS materials online, according to the MHA. 

Several of her social media accounts were taken down by site administrators because of the pro-IS content, but she created new ones. 

In April, Izzah even boasted to a contact that the authorities in Singapore had not detected her.

She supported the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (Isis) use of violence and aspired to live in it. She was actively planning to make her way to Syria with her young child in tow.

Believing that she would reap “heavenly rewards” if she married an IS fighter who died in battle, she was looking for “a Salafi or an Isis supporter” to marry since 2015, and planned to settle down with him and her child in Syria. She also felt that with her “elevated status” as a “martyr’s widow”, she could easily marry another IS fighter in Syria. 

Izzah was also prepared to undergo military training and engage in armed combat for the extremist group.

Over time, she became more radicalised and developed a “wide” network of foreign contacts online, some of whom were IS militants and supporters who have been killed in Syria or have been arrested for terrorism-related activities, said the ministry.

The ministry did not reveal how Izzah’s activities were discovered but said her parents and sister had known of her radical online postings in 2015 and intention to join the IS in Syria. However, they did not alert the authorities. Instead, they tried to dissuade her but were unsuccessful, the MHA said, reiterating its call for the community and family members to help protect Singapore from the threat of terrorism. 

In response to media queries, the MHA stressed that the Government “takes a serious view of the withholding of information that is pertinent to the safety and security of Singapore and Singaporeans”. “This is especially so if the failure to report leads to violent activities that would kill or cause harm to others,” it said. 

After Izzah was placed under investigation, one of her family members — who was not identified — destroyed “important evidence” relating to her plans to join the IS. “The authorities are looking into taking action against the family member,” the MHA said. 

Detailing the process, the MHA laid out what happens after a report is made. 

First, the authorities will carry out checks to “ ascertain the veracity of the report, including speaking to the informer, if possible”. The identity of the informer is also protected. In situations where no indications of radicalisation are detected, then no further action will be taken. 

However, “where there is basis to suspect that the person may be radicalised, then he or she will be called up for interview”, the ministry said. 

It added: “How the investigation develops depends largely on the findings and the authorities’ assessment of the threat posed by the individual.”

If the individual is found to be in the “nascent stages” of radicalisation, he or she may be referred for counselling “and other mitigating measures without the need for arrest”. 

“We will, however, not hesitate to use the ISA to deal with individuals who are radicalised and have engaged in terrorist conduct,” the MHA said. 

The ministry stressed that early reporting “enables the individual, who is at risk of becoming radicalised, to be given proper guidance and counselling”. “He could then be steered away from the path of radicalisation and may not need to be severely dealt with under the law,” it added. 

The ministry said that Izzah was not planning any attack in Singapore. Nevertheless, it noted her intent to join the IS — which has threatened attacks against the Republic — and was prepared to take up arms in Syria on behalf of the terrorist group. 

“The Government takes a stern view against anyone who supports, promotes, undertakes or makes preparations to undertake armed violence, regardless of how they rationalise such violence ideologically, or where the violence takes place,” the ministry said. 

The MHA last announced detentions related to support for the IS in October last year. A 33-year-old Singaporean man was placed under a restriction order for intending to spread IS’ radical ideology.

Last August, four self-radicalised Singaporeans who engaged in terrorism-related activities were dealt with. From January 2015 to August last year, eight Singaporeans have been detained and five others placed on Restriction Orders.

The MHA said while there has been an increase in the number of radicalised individuals detected in recent years, the number of cases remains small. “The vast majority of the Muslim community in Singapore are moderate and mainstream. This is also the first case of radicalisation involving someone in the pre-school sector,” it said. 

The ministry said there was “no evidence” that Izzah tried to influence the children at the centre. 

“There is also no indication that Izzah had tried to radicalise her colleagues. The family did not support Izzah’s actions, nor did they share the same radical ideas,” it said.

On any potential public concern or backlash sparked by the latest detention, the ministry pointed out that there are “many excellent infant/childcare workers — many of them are Muslim — who have meticulously cared for the children in their charge”. 

“We should not let Izzah’s case take anything away from the good work by our Muslim staff in the pre-school sector,” it stressed.

THE ROAD TO IZZAH'S RADICALISATION

2013: Izzah began to be radicalised by online propaganda related to the terrorist group Islamic State. Her radicalisation deepened over time, exacerbated by a wide network of foreign online contacts – including IS militants and supporters - which she developed.  

2014: She actively posted and shared pro-ISIS materials online. Several of her social media accounts were taken down by administrators because of the pro-IS content, but she created new ones.

2015: She was looking for an IS supporter to marry and settle down with him and her child in Syria. Her parents and sister came to know of her radical postings and her intention to join ISIS in Syria, but they did not alert the authorities. They tried on their own to dissuade her but they were unsuccessful.

April 2017: She boasted to a contact that the Singapore authorities had not detected her.

June 2017: She was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), becoming the first woman to be detained for radicalisation.