RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE AND YOUTH VIOLENT EXTREMISM AMONG YOUNG ARAB STUDENTS IMPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH RELIGIOUS DE-RADICALIZATION

The study examines the effect of religion, religious devotion, observance and compliance on violent extremism among young Arab students. Findings showed a significant impact of religion type, religious observance, religious devotion and religious compliance on youth violent extremism (F = 204.133, alpha = 0.00). Results showed a uniquely significant contribution of religion type (t = -21.893, alpha = 0.00), religious observance (t = 7.232, alpha = 0.00), and religious devotion (t = 10.088, alpha = 0.00), except for religious compliance (t = -1.566, alpha = 0.00), on youth violent extremism. Significant differences were found in each violent extremism dimension attributed to religion type, religious observance, devotion and compliance. Muslims who identify as Sunni scored highly on the scale of violent extremism across all dimensions, followed by Muslims who identify as Shiites and Christians. Extremist violence and religion are often linked. Except for very weak compliance, as a person's level of religious observance, devotion and compliance increases, their violent extremism also increases. Finally, females were significantly higher than males on the violent extremist scale. The study's implications call attention to including religion in youth's formal and informal education and recruitment to prevent the spread of violent extremism and terrorism, especially in high schools and colleges. They involve religious actors and those who practice religion in the fight against violent extremism. Reforming religion education is needed to prevent violent extremism.