By Arab News

Terrorists recruit youth through social networking websites



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ARAB NEWS

Published — Monday 10 August 2015

Last update 10 August 2015 1:39 am

JEDDAH: Family is at least 90 percent responsible for the drifting of youth toward terrorist groups and activities, especially as this transition can take up to six months, say experts.

Professor Yusuf Al-Rumaih of the University of Qassim was quoted as saying by local media on Sunday that terrorist cells communicate with the youth by sending out as many as 150,000 recruitment messages through social and other Internet networking sites.

According to him, the organization then resumes communication with those who have responded to such messages. Individuals are monitored and identified by certain attributes, such as their income and friends, and if any shortage exists, these cells begin to compensate them in order to lure them.

“There are other changes that occur among these youth, such as giving them nicknames, (for example Abu Bara), or isolating themselves,” Al-Rumaih said.

He said the family should pay special attention to those changes, while schools should monitor any changes among students and the imam of the mosque in their neighborhood should also take note of any behavioral changes.

One strategy is to appeal to youth who feel they lack attention at home to avoid nicknames, support, guidance, friendship, and sexual companionship.

For his part, Sociology Professor Mahmoud Kisnawi at the University of Umm Al-Qura and a family counselor said the family is mainly responsible for youth being lured into terrorist activities.

According to Y. Al-Qarni, a faculty member at King Abdulaziz University, the terrorist act at the Special Emergency Forces Center Mosque will only strengthen the community, not divide it, especially as Saudi citizens have become more aware that “our strength lies in our national unity.”