"Young, Muslim and Radical; Some Practical Solutions"

An exploration of the practical ways to encourage young Muslims to question radical ideologies

Imam Musa Admani, Muslim Chaplain of Metropolitan University speaking

He said:

• Terrorism is a menace and a problem that not only we in the Uk, but the whole world, both Muslim and non-Muslim are facing.
• This problem [terrorism and violent extremism] must be addressed at root level.
• Religion is used as a means to achieve a political end.
• We must talk with each other; we need the wisdom of our religious sources to oppose terrorism and radicalism from within all religions.

Khola Hassan speaking

She said:

• You must approach the Qur'an holistically. You must know the context of the Jihad verses before you can act on them.
• The radical elements are not using the Qur'an and the Sunnah as a springboard for moving forward, but to go back.
• Polarization between Muslim and Kafir, dividing the world into Dar-al-Harb and Dar-al-Islam are used by the extremists to instil the notion among the Muslims that others are not human and the shedding of their blood is permissible.

Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra Speaking

He said:

• We must first question the exact meaning of the terminology that we are using.
• I am a fundamentalist because I believe in the fundamentals of my religion. It is because religious people have forgotten the fundamentals of their religion that we are in this situation.
• Islam is a religion of moderation; everything should be done in balance.
• Illegal and unjust occupation of a sovereign state such as Iraq is one of the causes of anger among young Muslims.

Mehri Niknam, Khola Hassan, Imam Admani, Sheikh Mogra

Mehri Niknam remarked:

• Our political disagreement with the government of a country should remain a political issue, not to be made into a religious issue.
• If we are to move forward and out of this mire, we must debate all these issues openly, honestly and rationally, accepting that there is something wrong which we must correct from within the community.
• The next lecture will be at the University of Manchester in December 07.