Muslim leaders in the UK are worried about the radicalisation of some of the youth among their community and are looking to ways to combat extremism.

The failed attacks on London and Glasgow has raised fears again of a disenchanted, disillusioned and alienated youth, who may see violent acts as the only way to express themselves.

“In the immediate aftermath we expressed our strongest condemnation of the attacks through the press and urged Muslims to come forward and help the police with their investigations.

We also urged all mosques, imams and community leaders to speak out and I am pleased to say at the Friday sermons they all reiterated that killing of innocent human beings is unacceptable in Islam,” said Muhammed Abdul Bari, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, an umbrella organisation.

Most Muslim leaders feel that the radicals are a tiny minority amongst them, but agree that the leadership to stop the phenomena must come from within the community.

The focus for this has to be by engaging with the youth. “We must look within ourselves, create dialogue, address youngsters and show them that we can be good Muslims and loyal British citizens at the same time,” said Kemal Butt, a Conservative councillor.

“We must show them how to move forward, how to work hard and enjoy life. We have to wipe the anger away,” Butt told DNA.

As long-term measures, the MCB has begun a number of pro-active projects. “The Footsteps Project introduces Muslim role models to schoolchildren. The objective is to inculcate hope and inspire young people to seek a professional and prosperous future,” said Bari.

Also a ‘Mosque 100’ project has been started which aims to provide know-how training to at least 100 mosques in one year. “This programme outlines the benefit of engaging young people more in the affairs of mosques and creating space for women. Our young people must not be left to the mercy of fringe groups who give them a distorted view of Islam,” continued Bari.

The importance of the role of mosques and imams in providing correct leadership to youngsters was reiterated by most leaders, however there was concern that imams did not speak the language of the youth.

Source: dnaindia.com

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