Muslim radicalization has become one of the most chronic,
imminent and global threats of the 21st century. The ideology adopted by
radical Muslim groups and individuals appears to only get stronger with time
and attempts to eradicate such a threat with brutal force are likely to be
ineffective.
In a recent interview with CBC, NATO’s top commander, Gen.
Philip Breedlove, emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of
radicalization. The events of late 2014 in Ottawa and in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu
demonstrated that Canada is not only prone to terrorism, but may also be a hub
for promoting and sustaining radicalism.
An important cause of radicalization is identity crisis
among Muslim youth. The report on radicalization of Muslims published by the
Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies in 2006 clearly pointed
that “While challenging the accepted values of community leaders, teachers and
parents is part of any youth culture, the tendency is strengthened in the
diaspora when it is coupled with the search for Muslim identity, dignity and
self-respect.”
In her statement, Susan Bibeau, mother of the Ottawa
shooter, identified her son as a person who was “lost and did not fit in.”
Chris Boudreau, mother of a young Calgarian who joined al-Qaida, expressed
similar sentiments about her son’s psychological struggles during adolescence.
Although the actions of both men may be isolated, the path that lead to them is
shared by many youth. An identity crisis is not a trivial struggle. Muslim
youth often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to maintaining their
identity. On the one hand, they want to fit in, but on the other hand, they
don’t want to be mocked for practising the rituals of their faith (daily prayers,
fasting, etc.). It is imperative that during this stage of identity formation,
Muslim youth have the counselling and resources needed to empower them.
By volunteering with the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC)
since my university years, I have found a sense of youth empowerment that
allowed me and others of my generation to pioneer initiatives for Muslim youth
to address their personal struggles.
In Montreal, over the last few years, MAC youth volunteers
have initiated and organized workshops for high school students, delivered by
professionals, on topics related to drugs, bullying, peer pressure, gender
relations and identity formation. The workshops allowed high school students to
open up in the absence of their parents and narrate their personal struggles
with such issues. In addition, MAC youth volunteers regularly held mentorship
programs, social events, sports and recreational activities, tutoring programs
and professional-development seminars.
It should be no surprise that addressing the root causes of
Muslim radicalization must come from within. Muslim organizations are part and
parcel of the fabric of Canadian society and they must be supported in their
mission to combat Muslim radicalization. While our Parliament continues to
debate a highly controversial bill and our prime minister scales up his tone
against Islamic State, something that brings with it an upswing in Islamophobic
discourse in Canadian society, many youth will continue to be radicalized on
home soil.
It would have been very influential for the Muslim community
to see Harper and other parliamentarians standing side-by-side with Canada’s
top agents for combating radicalism, namely, Muslim community leaders. Harper’s
bill may well be the way to rid our country of radical Muslims today, but it
will not stop the formation of future radicals, and it will certainly make them
more cautious and strategic in their plotting and execution.
Credit to Ayman Oweida a PhD candidate in the department of
experimental medicine at McGill University.
No comments:
Post a Comment