Canadian youth with ‘identity issues’ drawn to radicalization: expert

CTV News | May 20, 2015

The RCMP is continuing its investigation to determine whether a group of Quebecers arrested over the weekend is linked to a wider terrorist network.

Authorities questioned and released 10 Montreal-area youths suspected of wanting to join Islamic State militants in the Middle East.

The youths were arrested at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport last weekend just as they were about to board a flight bound for Syria.

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Amira Elghawaby, a spokeswoman for the National Council of Canadian Muslims, told CTV News Channel that ISIS propaganda on social media has struck a chord with disenchanted youth.

« This particular violent extremist ideology has been extremely successful in selling itself as a brand (and) … doing all it can to get into the minds of people who may be susceptible to that sort of sway, » said Elghawaby.

In response to radicalization, Elghawaby says that governments need to be proactive in working with Muslim communities to help engage youths, rather than focusing on arrests and spying.

« They’re the ones that have the most to gain from ensuring this doesn’t happen again, because it is their young people that can be lured away, killed and get involved in terrorist activity –- nobody wants that, » said Elghawaby….