The threat of ISIS and their ability to attract the young is
of grave concern to many, me included. Others just write it off as the Muslim
call to arms which is a tad naive. Naïve
for two reasons; firstly, many who rally to the call are converts and two, most
have little understanding of the deeper ISIS agenda which is in conflict with
most Muslims desire to live in harmony.
Musing over the issue, following a number of recent articles
I have read and comments I have read it got me thinking about the confusion
many must struggle with. We often talk about the decline in behavioural standards.
Of parent’s inability to control their children and of the mix messages
children receive from what has become an ever increasing left learning
education system.
In the case of Muslim youth where strict disciplines apply
in the home, kids hear a very different message on the street, on social media,
often in schools and from their friends. The global push to brand every Muslim
a terrorist and terrorist in waiting certainly doesn’t help. No wonder some
turn elsewhere for so called solace and acceptance. There, waiting in the
shadows is ISIS.
ISIS is extremely skilled when it comes to propaganda. They
know exactly how to reel these kids in. We can deny it all we like, but society
in general has helped create the environment where groups like ISIS can
continue to recruit these kids. This isn’t new. We have had groups before who
were equally skilled. The difference now is the scale and the global impact. Examples
such as The “Children of God” are no more than a sex perversion group but they
do attract people. We’ve had the “Japanese Extreme Truth” they are largely religious
terrorists but their impact whilst brutal is geographically restricted. The Moonie’s
(Unification Church) as an example didn’t recruit kids and then teach them how
to strap on a bomb and blow themselves and anyone close by to bits, ISIS does.
I read a story last night about a Germany ISIS recruit who
managed to escape the clutches of ISIS and return to Germany where he is now
facing trial. He commented that he was so disenfranchised he would have joined
any group who accepted him. In his case, the first just happened to be ISIS. Of
course when he got to Syria he discovered he had two options; learn how to
fight or learn how to be a suicide bomber. In his words that really meant “death
or death”. He mentioned he was offered four wives and stated who wouldn’t want
four women. His closing comment was life in jail in Germany was preferable to
the horror he witnessed in Syria at the hands of ISIS. He was sold a dream and
received a nightmare.
Sarah Khan from the outstanding Inspire Group in the UK
spoke eloquently on the topic recently when highlighting some of the propaganda
that is spread. She mentioned the picture painted is that the west is at war
with Islam but equally Islam is at war with the west and Muslims have no choice
but to pick a side. Hard to resist when you feel you have no option because no
one else wants you. I have attached the article at the bottom. I encourage
people to read it and to get behind groups like Inspire who are taking the challenge
of extremism head on.
There was a time, not so long again where the messages kids
received in the home, at school and from people in authority were largely the
same. Certainly I received very complimentary messages from others areas. Work
hard, respect others (treat others as you would have them treat you), respect
your parents and obey them and the law. In other words, live by the values we
were taught in line with the 10 commandments as an example. Most religions have
a similar set of values. But of course now, the narrative in many instances is
very different as Sarah highlights.
In the past kids didn’t have access to the Internet so the
life education they received came from parents, relatives, teachers, group
leaders who as I’ve stated “all sang from the same hymn book”.
As an example, religious study has been largely removed from
schools. We have also, at the same time witnessed a dramatic decline in
Christian followers which probably has a lot to do with the school decision. The
exception to this being faith schools. Children are taught they don’t have to
obey their parents, that they have rights. Some kids have even sued their parents
and won. Kids show little respect for authority. You only have to sight the
behaviour of some youths at protests to see that. Jump onto Facebook or Twitter
and read some of the comments. The parents sadly in many instances are no
better. When I read what some parents
say on social media, I wouldn’t trust them to raise a dog let alone kids. Even
worse, for many kids, life education comes from the internet. A scary thought indeed.
So everywhere you turn there is mixed messages.
We can endeavour to do something about it if we have the will. This is where Leadership plays an important role and each of us can play a part in this. We can be consistent with our message and challenge those messages that create confusion. We can support Muslim and other organisations who are actively involved in fighting extremism and who are creating the ‘right narratives’. We can stop blaming everyone else and take responsibility ourselves because like it or not we have helped create the environment we are now faced with changing. It’s down to each and every one of us.
