Ali Masyhar, Muhammad Azil Maskur, Eram Tunggul Pawenang, Nadhira Madania Dimarti, Muhammad Azam
This article presents the implementation and observed outcomes of the School of D-RAD, a community-based deradicalization initiative designed to support the social reintegration of former terrorism convicts in Indonesia. The program was implemented in collaboration with the Persaudaraan Anak Negeri (Persadani) Foundation and involved 30 former terrorism convicts as participants. Using a community service approach, initial problem mapping was conducted through focus group discussions and preliminary questionnaires to identify participants’ psychosocial conditions, perceptions of diversity, and vulnerability to ideological re-exposure. The initial data indicated that approximately 20–30% of participants still perceived a potential risk of re-exposure to radical ideology, primarily influenced by economic constraints, social stigma, and limited post-release support. Based on these findings, the School of D-RAD was designed using a familial, dialogical, and peer-based mentoring model grounded in informal and non-formal education principles. Program implementation emphasized reflective dialogue, peer tutoring, interactive activities, and psychosocial support to create a non-hierarchical and supportive learning environment. Evaluation was conducted through post-test discussions using case-based analysis to observe changes in participants’ understanding and responses to issues related to radicalism and violence. The results show observable improvements in participants’ openness to differences, tolerance, empathic reasoning, and reduced tendencies toward takfiri thinking. Post-program monitoring conducted by Persadani further indicates sustained participant engagement and strengthened social relations within the community. These findings illustrate how community-based, participatory approaches can function as a complementary mechanism in post-release deradicalization and reintegration efforts. © Author(s).
Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Faculty of Medicine Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq
