Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) speaks as former Australian Defence Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss
IN PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) speaks as former Australian Defence Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss look on during a media conference at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce, located north of Perth March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Kane/Pool

Muslim leaders in Australia have been working hard to reduce the radicalisation and “fixation” with ISIS among the youth. The Muslim community believes the youth see a double standard in the persecution of Muslims everywhere in the world.

Sheikh Wesam Charkawi has been working with a group of schoolboys some time ago. He said the youngsters feel Muslims have been “abandoned” and believe they have the responsibility to help. The Guardian reports that social workers have been trying to get through the young Muslim men. Charkawi, a religious leader based in a mosque in Auburn in western Sydney, was eventually requested to help.

Charkawi said he has advised young boys about the true nature of ISIS. He added that all the boys have remained in Australia and their fixation with the militant group “quickly dissipated.” The religious leader added that the community elders have been working to break the influence of radical groups like ISIS.

Curtin University associate professor Anne Aly said the youth in Perth’s Muslim communities suggested sports, education and employment as ways to discourage radicalisation. She added that it would also help the Muslim community if the Australian government changed the way it talsk about Muslims in the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the government will soon launch a big campaign in tracking extremist groups that attract Australians to fight for them overseas. He added that community leaders will also be working on the program to fight extremist propaganda but he wouldn’t rush its development.

Mr Abbott believes too many Australians have been “brainwashed” online like the two teenage brothers who tried to leave the country to travel to the Middle East. Border officials have stopped the young Australians from leaving, reports The Australian.

Dr Jamal Rifi has criticised the government for not doing enough to stop young Australians from being influenced by ISIS. Although he was relieved that the teens were intercepted, he said nothing was in place to stop the radicalisation of young Australians.

Rifi, an Australian Lebanese Muslim GP and community leader, has denounced the actions of ISIS. He also condemned Australian ISIS fighter Khaled Sharrouf for letting his son hold a severed head.

To report problems or leave feedback on this article, contact: r.su@ibtimes.com.au

RELATED STORIES