N. Texas Muslim Community Tries To Combat Radicalized Islam
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Ahmed Malik of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in North Texas is hoping Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, 24, didn't kill four Marines in Tennessee in the name of Islam. "My first reaction was not again."
To keep Muslim youngsters from becoming radicalized, Malik and others in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are taking part in a new nationwide campaign called Stop the Crisis.
It's aimed at combating the terror group ISIS' message and influence online and getting their own message out -- love for all and hatred for none. "Isis is all over the internet and that's where they get their false information from. We must put a stop to this. Our message must be louder than theirs, and unfortunately, they're winning the battle."
Buck Revell, a retired special agent in charge of the Dallas FBI, says he's encouraged. "If that's the legitimate purpose, they are trying to reach young people who are self-radicalizing, I think that's a good idea."
But he warns about previous groups and their agendas. "Unfortunately, many of the organizations that set out to be on what's seen like very positive social aspects, like Muslim Student Associations, turn out to be Islamist front groups and are really further entrenching the radicalized ideology."
Those in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community say they're true to their cause and have worked on this for several years. Another member of their community, Yahya Tariq says the key is educating children about the true teachings of Islam, which he says are peaceful.
Revell and others say aside from that, the Muslim community must continuously denounce terror attacks. Tariq agrees, "Yes, the Muslim community is going to have to fight that and combat that."
Malik adds, "It's not going to be something that's done overnight. It's going to take years and years of hard work."
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