(National-UAE) Anti-radicalisation programmes are risking turning young Muslims towards extremism if they wrongly assume they are lacking role models, a report has warned.
In a review of mentoring programmes aimed at preventing youngsters from a path of radicalisation, experts have warned some “unintentionally” assume Muslims need role models and do not believe in democracy.
The report by think tank Rusi examined 27 projects, predominantly in Europe, and said only half had shown signs of success.
“In Western countries, in particular, mentorship programmes need to be cautious about the assumption that mental vulnerability is primarily associated with Islamist radicalisation rather than right-wing extremism,” the report’s author Emily Winterbotham, the director of the terrorism and conflict group at Rusi, said.
