Teaching students about Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of the Islamic State terrorist group, can be a challenging but crucial task for any instructor. With his violent actions and extremist ideology, teaching about Baghdadi requires a careful balance between exposing students to the realities of terrorism and avoiding glorification of his persona. However, given the nature of contemporary politics and international affairs, teaching about Baghdadi is more relevant than ever.
Here are some strategies for teaching students about Baghdadi:
Understanding Baghdadi’s Biography
First and foremost, it is essential to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Baghdadi’s life, beliefs, and actions. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was born in Samarra, Iraq, in 1971. He studied Islamic theology at the University of Baghdad and became a cleric in 1996. Baghdadi founded the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) in 2006, which later evolved into the Islamic State (ISIS). He declared himself the Caliph of the Islamic State in 2014 and attracted global attention for his brutal tactics in the region.
Discussing Radicalization
Next, students should learn about how Baghdadi became radicalized in the first place and analyze the factors that contributed to his extremist ideology. Teach students about the socio-economic, cultural, and political factors that may drive individuals towards extremist groups like ISIS.
Contextualizing Baghdadi’s Actions
Once students have a thorough understanding of Baghdadi’s biography, instructors should help students to contextualize his actions. Help students to view Baghdadi’s actions within a broader context of global politics and explain how his worldview compares to that of other terrorist groups.
Analyzing the Impacts of Baghdadi’s Actions
Students ought to be able to analyze the impacts of Baghdadi’s actions on the world given the immediate impact Baghdadi has had in the Middle East region. Further, instructors should help students grasp the broader impact Baghdadi has had globally on world politics and societal factors.
Leveraging Different Resources
Instructors can use a variety of resources to teach students about Baghdadi. A comprehensive biography about Baghdadi can be a good starting point, but it can also be valuable to observe speeches or news footage of Baghdadi. Students should evaluate the legitimacy of different sources and read and interpret them critically.
Teaching students about Baghdadi’s history and ideology is crucial in facilitating a deeper understanding of contemporary politics. Approaching teaching about Baghdadi’s life with a comprehensive understanding of the consequences of the group’s behavior is essential in helping students empathize with others’ vastly different worldviews while recognizing and tackling ideological extremism in society.
