Violence & Extremism

Numerous so-called anti-terrorism pundits and experts have debated and proposed potential causes of violent extremism by young Muslims and convert Muslims from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. However, most analyses fail to address the real, at times basic, roots that we can control at the grassroots level.

A recent PEW survey found that 19 percent of American Muslims justify violence against civilians, which translates into 55,000 to 130,000 American Muslims. Scary, isn’t it?

Angry, disaffected young Muslim men make up the bulk of those accused of terrorism committed in the name of Islam. These men did not develop in a vacuum. They were a product of many things.

Apart from common stressors among all youth ranging from family problems to bullying, we have to consider that young Muslims today are facing more anti-Muslim feeling than in the past. These tips can help relieve some of the symptoms of stress.

After parents, teachers are those who interact the most with Muslim youth on a regular basis. They must be on the front lines of not only identifying when a young Muslim is facing the challenge of anger and the danger of reacting to it the wrong way.

It is critical that all community leaders, Muslims and non-profit foundations, as well as our government, pay more attention to the disenfranchised young Muslims and find effective ways to address their challenges.