Exposure To Islamic Knowlege Vital To Check Straying Youngsters - Analyst

By Mohammed Arsyad Md Yassin KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- A crime analyst Saturday suggested that young Muslims be exposed to the true Islamic knowledge to prevent them from being influenced by the propaganda of militants. Akhbar Satar said they should be given a proper understanding of Islam as well as the meaning of 'jihad' (holy war). "The actions of young people who have little knowledge and can be easily influenced can threaten their own safety as well as the security of the country," he told Bernama. He said these young people should be monitored to ascertain whom they mingled with. Akhbar was asked to comment on a report that Malaysian students were being recruited to join the Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. He said parents should monitor whom their children mingled with, especially on social media, to prevent them from straying into joining militant groups which had international networks. "Acquaintances on social media can lead them to trained elements who can instigate them into subscribing to militarism and engage in acts associated with it in this country. "These elements will approach the young people by exposing them to deviant teachings and recruit them stealthily to join their cause," he said. Another crime analyst, Kamal Affendi Hashim, said individuals inclined to take part in militant activities would not display such interest in public and this would make it all the more difficult to check them. "If parents, guardians or friends suspect the involvement of individuals in militant activities, they should act quickly by notifying the authorities," he said. It is believed that Malaysians have been recruited to join three militant groups in Syria, namely IS, Jabhat Al Nusra and Ajnad Al Sham. Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had said that the police had identified individuals who were responsible for recruiting Malaysians into militant groups in Syria. The police have arrested 14 suspected militants, including three key figures believed to be behind the recruitment of Malaysians into the IS. So far, 37 suspects tied to the IS have been arrested. -- BERNAMA