Young Children and Adults joining Syria and Isis: CURRENT EVENTS
The Islamic group, ISIS, brings fear to many countries and states. It causes every military against them to double up their military guards. Because everybody is afraid of a potential ISIS attack, many Muslims around the globe are being accused of terrorism. One country that many Muslims are having conflict in is Demark. Denmark is a country that has the highest rates of radicalization in Europe, next to Belgium. In Denmark, no Muslim can live there without being accused of being a terrorist. Many Muslims in Denmark and more, say it’s a real challenge to keep their faith with all the politicians that fight against their religion because of what goes on with ISIS.
At a school in Denmark, 21-years-old college graduate Sarah explains that as a Muslim at her school, they want her to mix Danish culture and Arab culture together, and not wear their traditional clothing such as the hijab. All together the school wants Muslims to be more Danish than Muslim. Sarah’s experience at her Danish school gives listeners more of an understanding of young Muslims. When trying to find themselves in the west of Europe, many Muslims feel very insecure about themselves because of their different cultures. Studies have shown that the local Islamic extreme groups are like cocaine for the insecure Muslims in the west side of Europe. These recruiters encourage insecure Muslims to join ISIS, claiming to be the solution for their lost soul.
The feelings that these young Muslims have captured the attention of mothers, who have begun to notice their child’s feeling more. Three dozen Somali moms gather around and started an organization called Sahan. The purpose of this organization is for Islamic mothers to observe their children and watch for small clues of radicalism in their children to see if they are feeling the need to join Islamic extremist groups. Many mothers call the Sahan hotline, because they are afraid that their children are turning towards ISIS based off of their change in personality and looks. Changes like being judgmental about religion, changing their clothing choices, changing who they hang out with, or staying in their rooms longer. These are small disturbances that only a mother can pick out.
The mother that started this group, Ayann Muumin, transmuted the organization from a small Sahan groups filled with Islamic mothers, to a strong community activist organization. As the dozens of mothers answer the hotline 24/7 in Vollsmose- a very urban and dangerous city- by investigating lost children and repressing gangs and drugs, Vollsmose is very slowly becoming a safer place to stay.
Ayann Muumin’s advice for mothers that are dealing with this issue is to give the child some space after the event that they are trying to get over. They will soon come talk about it. Many Sahan moms encourage their children to find ways explore and be comfortable about their faith in Denmark, ways that won’t attract their kids towards ISIS.
