Mohammed Shaikh, director of the Masjid el Noor Mosque in Toronto, has devised a twelve-step program which will enlighten and hopefully deter potential terrorists. "The goal is to show the radicalized youth that Al Qaeda's beliefs are theologically wrong" (FNC). According to counselor Ahmed Amiruddin, "'Their interpretation of the Islamic faith is inconsistent with the last 1,400 years of Islamic schools of thought. We clarify the differences and bring people back toward the traditional interpretation of the Islamic faith, which completely rejects suicide bombings and extremism in all of its forms'" (FNC).
I shared this story with my Women in the Middle East class this afternoon. While I don't know that many people took the plan seriously (a "detox" program for budding jihadists?), I thought it was very interesting and revolutionary. And, if it's going to help turn potential terrorists away from Al Qaeda, then I think this is a wonderful idea.
You're absolutely right. Knowledge is good when it comes to this issue, and I'm glad you shared the info. with your class. Good job, honey.
ReplyDelete