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QIs it a national campaign?

A Yes. It started at our national headquarters in Toronto about two weeks ago. So it’s very new.

QExactly what is the crisis?

A ISIS is a crisis worldwide — not in Canada yet but it has the potential to be so. That’s what we’re trying to stop. So when our youth are approached by these kinds of Muslims they are able to refute what they are told.

QAre young Muslims being approached by extremist elements in Canada?

A I have not heard of any but it is a concern.

QYoung Muslim men from the U.K., the United States, France and other countries have joined ISIS. So isn’t it logically the case that efforts to radicalize young Canadians are also happening?

A Yes. We’ve seen it in two recent heinous acts and we need to stop it before it takes root in Canada.

QSo how do you go about it?

A We have an auxiliary youth organization and I work closely with them so they don’t fall prey to these terrorist ideologies. We teach the youth that this is our community and our country and we want to be an integral part of it. We do food drives, we’ve adopted a park (in Orléans) and last year we did a blood drive. Last year, we donated 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food to the Orléans food bank. We have cricket, basketball and different sports. I’ve also run sessions on ISIS to teach our youth how it runs counter to Islam.

QHow do young Muslims receive those messages?

A Very well. I’ve had some come to me and say they didn’t understand about ISIS and I tell them: “Don’t keep it to yourself. When you go to college or university, talk to your fellows and friends.”