By Leah Holoida
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Local leaders, youth and parents from Edmonton Somali community rallied together Monday to condemn a letter released last week that said at least six local men have been recruited by ISIS militants.
The letter — written by Mahamad Accord, president of the Canadian Somali Congress of Western Canada — warned Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Somali youth in Edmonton were being recruited to become front-line soldiers for the Islam extremists.
Yet, President of Somali Canadian Culture Society of Edmonton Jibril Ibrahim said the warning is false.
“Since we deal with the youth and we have not seen anything or anybody coming forward, that means we aren’t aware of it. If anyone would have known it, we would have known it,” Ibrahim said.
“We are coming together because we believe this is wrong,” he added, calling Accord a “lone wolf” who doesn’t speak for Somalians in the city.
While local leaders aren’t aware of anyone being recruited, Ibrahim said young men being recruited by ISIS are not just a Somali concern, but also a global concern.
Naima Haile, a parent liaison for Somali Canadian Women and Children Association said the accusations that men are missing are preposterous.
“I was livid,” Haile said about the claims. “It was very upsetting, very disturbing because it’s very dangerous and very damaging to the whole community.
“We’ve been here for over two decades and we’ve tried so hard to be a part of the fabric of Canadian society,” she added.
“I’m a parent. My daughter is in first year university and I’m worried this will set kids back to dark ages where they will be scrutinized when they look for a job or when they mingle in society.”
While the groups said there is no evidence that local men are being recruited, Bashir Ahmed, executive director of Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization said it’s not surprising if Somali men are targeted for recruitment.
“We live in one of the most democratic and free countries in the world. When a person reaches 18, he’s on his own and can do whatever he likes,” said Ahmed.
“This is a global issue,” he added.