Call for resilience against extremism

The global youth summit against violent extremism that started in New York on Monday had a speaker who was once inclined towards terrorism but now prevents others from going astray.

Yousef Assidiq, a former recruiter for Norway's radical outfit Prophet's Ummah, shared the stage with youths from different countries. He talked about how radicalisation and violent extremism had marginalised him in the society, but now he finds himself as a “free Muslim” after leaving radical thoughts behind.

Assidiq has now founded an organisation that works to stop other youths from getting radicalised in Norway, his home country.

The summit in NY aims to build up a sustainable global and grassroots effort spearheaded by young people from all over the world to put up resilience against extremism.

It is part of a growing push to counter the lure of radical voices for frustrated and unemployed youths who are prone to joining groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria and Islamic State, which has conquered swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.

The summit is organised as governments from the US to Australia are struggling to understand why young Muslims integrated into Western life embark on a journey to wage jihad.

Organised by the Counter Extremism Project, the summit has the backing of the US State Department as well as Facebook Inc. and Microsoft Inc.

Participants will present key recommendations in the form of a Youth Action Agenda at the Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism that US President Barack Obama is scheduled to convene at the UN on September 29 [US date].

Talking to this correspondent on the sideline of the summit, Assidiq, once a die-hard fan of yet to be banned outfit Prophet's Ummah, said he travelled to different cities in Norway and talked to youths having possibility to join extremist group ISIL.

“I was born in a Christian family. As a teenager I used to study a lot. In 2009, I embraced Islam, but my family did not take it well,” said the 27-year-old youth.

“I was, however, firm on Islam. My family members, relatives and friends' behaviour towards me changed. I found myself alone,” said the sociology graduate from Oslo University.

At this stage, he met Pakistani national Arfan Bathi at a mosque.

“That man kept meeting me on several occasions and asked me to join his group, Prophet's Ummah. I was attracted to it since they would always talk about Islam and Muslims and wanted to help them socially and economically. I would roam around with them to find new members for the outfit,” he added.

He went on to say the Dag Bladet, a Norwegian daily newspaper, in 2010 carried the caricature of Prophet in its edition. This sparked outrage among the Muslim community across Norway and elsewhere around the globe.

“We walked the roads and a mob of 3,500 Muslims gathered to protest against the printing of caricatures. While I was delivering a speech, I noticed my mother had also gone there to see if I was safe. My recruiter Arfan Bathi had become very emotional during his speech. He threatened that if such acts did not stop, there would be multiple 9/11 like attacks in Norway.”

He also said he was upset about this since he never preferred violence.

“I joined Islam since I love the religion. During this time I went home to meet my parents and they offered me an option. Either them or the outfit. This was the turning point since I did not want to hurt my mother. Moreover, this was not the kind of Islam I love.

“I decided to quit the outfit and finally came home in 2014. Nobody stopped me, but threats to my life began,” said Assidiq softly.

He was invited by the Department of State to tell his story as to how he had returned to a normal life after change of heart.

Official estimate says 80 youths, all trained by Ummah in Norway, joined the ISIS in Syria, but Assidiq believes the figure will be more than 150.

“Now I find out potential youths in Norway through social media who could join terrorist outfits. I meet them and listen to them as to why they want to join ISIS,” said Assidiq, who along with a female colleague started a firm, Just Unity, in 2014.

Just Unity works to identify the youths who may have radicalised thoughts. “We search on the internet and if we find anyone, meet them and offer them help like job and other things. It's bringing a positive change. I have so far been able to save 30 youths from joining ISIS.

“The major reason for the youths to join these groups is an uncertain future, identity crisis, poor economic and educational structure, social insecurity, loneliness, and unemployment,” added Assidiq who retains a long beard.

He recalls an incident of “discrimination” since he converted to Islam. “A woman had shouted at me taunting I should leave her country. These things hurt a lot and Muslims often go through this. We need to change public mentality,” he observed.