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Masculinity and Image Crafting among Indonesian Foreign Fighters

Fri, March 17, 12:45 to 2:45pm, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Floor: 2nd Floor, Dominion Ballroom South

Abstract

Studying three Indonesian foreign fighters from three different generations: 1) an Afghan veteran in the 80s; 2) a Moro veteran in 2000s; and 3) an ISIS defector reveals that masculinity and image crafting among the Indonesian foreign fighters is a critical element in recruitment. The use of religious values such as jihad, umma (community) and ukhuwat (brotherhood) has helped to create a sense of bonding and social cohesion that has been valorized in this community of Indonesian foreign fighters. Jihad becomes one such avenue that increases the possibility of actualization of masculine imperatives as they appear in religious, cultural, narrative and anecdotal texts, especially the theme of syahid (martyrdom). This combat-oriented masculinity is not emerging in a vacuum; it is shaped, influenced and mediated by historical circumstances. Since the 1950s, these militants have been dreaming of living in an area controlled under sharia, the set of rules that Muslims should follow in their lives and is an integral part of the faith. However, when Abu Bakar Al Baghdadi declared an Islamic caliphate, there was a split among these militants in response to the call. How far and in what ways does the practice of inter-generational of masculinity and image crafting among Indonesian foreign fighters influence this split?

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