The so-called war on terror has been fought in many corners of the world, but increasingly the battle is happening online.
Young hearts and minds are being won over by the likes of IS through slick propaganda videos and social media, but a group of Australian university students might have a new weapon in the online arsenal to counter violent extremism propaganda – a smartphone app.
Their prototype app – 52 JUMAA or 52 Fridays – has made the finals of an international competition that challenges online extremism.
They’re off to Washington next month to compete against their American and Canadian counterparts in the competition, which is supported by the US State Department.
One of the group’s team leaders Ruby Avis told SBS that there was nothing on the market like it
“Fifty-two JUMAA is extremely unique,” she said.
Ms Avis said the prototype of the app had resonated with the young Muslims they had shared it with.
“Every single person within the focus group actually said that they would download the application and use it,” she said.
“So obviously that was a fantastic outcome. We’re definitely positive on saying that this application will work for the target audience because of that reason.”
How does it work
The app sets challenges for young Muslims - although it’s argued they’re relevant for anyone – like improving your kindness, trustworthiness or physical health.
Points are allocated for various tasks such as making mum a cup of tea or feeding the homeless.
Participants receive affirmations from the Koran or other sources, as well as puzzles to solve.
They can also like each other’s achievements and compete against each other with a peer-to-peer scoreboard, all in the quest to be better members of society over 52 weeks.
Ms Avis said her favourite thing about 52 JUMAAwas its possibility for growth and development.
“At the moment it’s targeted at 15 to 18-year-old Muslim boys, but there is that idea and possibilities that it can grow,” she said.
“So, for example, it could be targeted at 52 Sundays looking at Christians. That’s another brief from the US Department of State: they wanted something that could develop, that could grow.
“I think the most important thing about 52 JUMAA is that you can tailor it so it’s useable for so many different cultures and religions.”
Who is behind it
The app has been designed with the input of Somali friends Ahmed Ali and Abdi Shire, who joined the project shortly after it began.
Mr Ali said the app was different to other Muslim faith apps because it included social mechanisms as well as religious instruction.
“One thing that’s lacking in your community is connections and having to interact with each other,” he said.
“All of us are good individually, but when it comes to a team we’re not as good as we are. So what we’re trying to do is develop morals, and interventions, and ideas and come up with it as a community.”
Mr Shire said he was confident of a win.
“We’re just young adults,” he said.
“Islam is a really complex religion. Islam is a religion of peace. I know some things about Islam, but what we do know is that Islam is a religion of peace and if you really understand its true teaching then you'll fall in love with it yourself.”
The university team is guided by extremism researcher Anne Aly.
Dr Aly said groups like IS knew that the online environment was an integral part of a young person’s life.
“Their personal identity is developed through things like Facebook and Twitter and online social media platforms,” she said.
“So it’s very important to them and it’s important that we recognise that this is the way they develop their social interaction, their personal identity, they way that they define themselves, the way that they define where they're at, who their in group is and who their out group is.”
Mr Shire said the app was more than just an anti-propaganda tool.
“With the label of anti-extremism, I suppose people should understand that it’s just not about that,” he said.
“That’s just a side benefit. I believe it’s more about moral development within yourself, within the community.”
The students hope to have their app developed, even if they don’t win the competition.
By Ryan Emery / SBS Television
