The question of why professionals who are educated, respected, and successful individuals, turn to extremism is both psychological and sociological. Their radicalisation is not born of deprivation, but of conviction. Many are drawn by a deep moral disillusionment or frustration with perceived global injustices. They see violence not as cruelty, but as sacrifice i.e. a way to correct what they view as moral imbalance in the world. Extremist recruiters understand this psychology well. They appeal not to greed but to pride, offering educated minds a sense of purpose and superiority. Professionals also offer terrorists what they lack: sophistication. They bring structure, knowledge, and access to systems that can make extremist operations appear legitimate. The engineer knows how to build. The accountant knows how to hide transactions. The lecturer knows how to persuade. The doctor knows how to gain trust. Each professional skill becomes a potential tool in the hands of ideology. ...
When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his deep sorrow over the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, his words resonated beyond sympathy for the victims. His condemnation of such acts of terror was a statement of principle that violence against innocents is never justifiable, no matter its cause or context. Yet, beneath his compassion lies an important warning: terrorism today has evolved beyond the familiar image of armed radicals or religious fanatics. It has entered a new, more insidious phase, one where professionals, educated individuals with status and legitimacy, become silent enablers of extremism. In this modern era, terrorism no longer operates solely through the gun or the bomb. It thrives through systems of trust - financial systems, educational institutions, charities, and corporations. These are the same systems managed and occupied by professionals: doctors, accountants, engineers, lecturers, executives, and researchers. These individuals have access to credibi...