A study by George Washington University titled, “ISIS in America: From Retweets to Raqqa,” is worth reading by all Muslims in USA, especially Muslim leaders. Many of us will try to find in this study holes and entrapment, which may be true to some extent, but discarding it entirely is a self-denial and self-defeating proposition. It is not purely religious fanatics who are attracted to ISIS, but the sympathizers and active supporters come from all demographics. In the last 18 months, on terrorist charges 40 % of arrested in USA are under age 21 and 40 % of total arrested are newly converts.
It requires open discussion at homes and in Mosques/Islamic Centers to address the issues, especially (a) why our teenagers, from all demographics are more at risk and what should be done? (b) Why 40 % of the newly converts are attracted to ISIS? How to remedy it? ( F. Sheikh )
Link to article in NYT