The campaign, called Stop the CrISIS, is at both Central Peel and Chinguacousy Secondary Schools this Sunday (Nov. 23) from 4 to 6 p.m.

Source: bramptonguardian.com

Parliament Hill shooter
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot and killed Canadian Forces soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on Parliament Hill on Oct. 22. Some believe his attack was motivated by his interest in ISIS.

BRAMPTON— Members of Brampton’s Muslim community are asking local residents to help them combat the extremist propaganda that is turning Canadian youth into terrorists.

Last week, the organization Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada launched a national campaign against youth radicalization and the extremist influence of the terrorist group ISIS.

The campaign, called Stop the CrISIS, is planned to touchdown in nearly every major Canadian city, including events at both Central Peel and Chinguacousy Secondary Schools this Sunday (Nov. 23) from 4 to 6 p.m.

“It’s time to take a stand,” said Imam Umar Akbar in reference to the initiative intended to counteract the extremist rhetoric radicalizing some Muslim youth.

This growing trend, that is transforming ordinary Canadian youth into terrorists, has become as much a concern as any other social issue facing young men and women, he suggested.

“We believe that, whatever faith group we belong to, we need to stand together to solve these issues,” Akbar said, noting the entire community is invited to these two local events.

The organization wants to reach these young, vulnerable minds before terrorist factions can instill ideology rampant on the Internet, and present a counter narrative to the violent extremism.

“Everyone has to play a part in this,” Akbar remarked. “We have to stand together.”

Sadly, he noted, the conversion of disenfranchised youth to extremism is not isolated to the Muslim community.

Youth, educators, parents, church officials, police, politicians, other community leaders and the rest of the community are invited to the events.

The entire community must be proactive and vigilant in identifying youth who need help before it is too late, suggested Akbar, who works with the Muslim community in Brampton.

The local events include discussion about the issues leading to radicalization, steps to combat radicalization and the “true” teachings of Islam. Education is key, Akbar added.

“We feel that our religion is being hijacked and we need to present the true teachings and show the world,” he said.

Central Peel is located at 32 Kennedy Rd. N., and Chinguacousy is at 1370 Williams Pkwy.

For more information you can visit the event website at www.stopthecrisis.ca.