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Edmonton Somali community aims to fight radicalization

Around 200 people made their way to NAIT’s Shaw Theatre looking for solutions

Around 200 people came to the Shaw Theatre at NAIT to discuss radicalization.
Around 200 people came to the Shaw Theatre at NAIT to discuss radicalization.

When Yasmin Ugas rides the Edmonton LRT she won’t cross the yellow line out of fears someone will push her into the path of an oncoming train.

Ugas says the fear is only getting worse.

This fear, the feeling of alienation expressed by Ugas, was just one of the many things addressed at the first annual Social Justice Forum put on by the Ogaden Somali Community of Alberta Residence (OSCAR) on Saturday

Around 200 people, many of them women, made their way to NAIT’s Shaw Theatre to discuss the topic of the forum, “Finding common solution for youth radicalization and terrorism.”

The forum hosted a plethora of politicians, community leaders, human rights activists, doctors, and youth speaking on the issue. Ugas says this inclusion of Somali youth in the discussion was a welcome change of pace.

“It just brings me hope that we can have our voices heard,” said Ugas.

‘A very sensationalized problem’

In early 2015,  three Edmonton cousins were believed to be killed after going overseas and fighting for ISIS. A few months later a different 17-year-old boy was charged with trying to leave Canada to commit an act of terror.

Several organizers and speakers at the event refuted that radicalization in Edmonton was statistically a problem, but they still felt the issue was an important one to address.

Forum host Ahmed Abdulkadir says underlying causes of youth radicalization — such as high unemployment and alienation — are the same issues Edmonton Somali youth face.

He says that, while it’s not a problem yet, it’s still important to address head on.

“The problem is not major at all in Alberta or in the whole of Canada,” said Abdulkadir.

“But, having said that, there is radicalization that exists, [and] we want to create the conversation and talk about it.

“What causes radicalization is what we want to talk about. If we don’t discuss it ourselves, others will talk about it.”

Insp. Dan Jones of the Edmonton Police Service, another speaker at the forum, doesn’t see radicalization as an issue localized to the Somali community. He says the issue is a problem in many communities, including many right-wing groups such as Stormfront.

ones said the sensationalization of terrorism plays into the feeling of alienation that radicalizers thrive on.

“It’s a very sensationalized problem, I think we’ve sensationalized violent extremists,” said Jones.

“I’m not saying that it’s not an issue but that we have to interrupt the process.

“Violent extremism crosses all races, all religions, all people. It’s not a religious issue, it’s not an Islamist issue, it’s a violence issue.”

Some youths that attended the forum were unhappy with the name of the theme discussed.

Sagal Awjama says she is happy the Somali community is sitting at a table with members of the government and community leaders but she and the majority of her friends, felt that the topic was off-putting.

“I find it extremely offensive that we are being labeled with these terms,” said Awjama.

“I find it disgusting, and I find it very frustrating. Somali youth are really successful people and contribute to society.”

A place to listen

Habido Abdille, a family advocate at the Somali Community Centre, says the biggest threat facing Somali men right now is unemployment and there is currently no exit strategy. She would like to see new programs specifically targeting young Somali men that show them options to further their education.

“I really want the new NDP government to focus some attention on minority communities,” said Abdille.

“After eight months in office we haven’t seen any movement and, to be honest, people are starting to doubt.”

David Shepherd, the NDP MLA for Edmonton-Centre, sat on one of the panels during the forum. Shepherd said he wanted to learn from the community, but stressed he doesn’t see easy solutions.

“These problems are deep and they are complex, I don’t think you’re going to find one prescriptive policy that’s going to solve them,” said Shepherd.

“It’s really about just having the opportunity to hear from them and find solutions from a community.” ​

Jones shared a similar sentiment with Shepherd saying this panel was an opportunity to listen to the community themselves about what needs to be done. Jones said that only by listening can you halt the process of radicalization before it becomes a problem.

“I’m hoping to learn what they need, what this community specifically needs from the police to ensure that we are engaging properly, to ensure that we are addressing true issues and to ensure that we are on the same page,” Jones said.

“Really when you get down to it radicalization and violence, if that’s the topic, the only and the best tool we have against it is the community itself.”

Source: CBC News

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