Since last summer, dozens of young Somali men have disappeared from the Twin Cities area. They were feared recruited by radical elements in Somalia.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―

 

One of the largest Mosques in the area is trying to help young Somali men.

The Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center has several classes for young men. About 50 of them are taking the Circle of Peace class.

The group meets once a week. The course is broken down into two parts. The first talks about principals in the Quran. The other deals with problems the young adults might be facing in their daily lives.

“There is definitely a big issue as far as identity for the youth who are growing up here that don’t have a background or have never seen Somalia,” said Abulanhi Farah.

Farah is a volunteer youth coordinator. He knows most of the teens and he knows what they are up against.

“You find these youths sometimes they are trying to discover themselves and trying to see how they connect back to their roots,” said Farah.

Videotapes are popping up on YouTube and other internet sites. They are aimed at young Somali men, and the goal is to try and persuade them to go back to the east-African country and join terrorist groups.

Leaders at the Mosque say if the young adults knew their religion, they wouldn’t be easily misguided.

“I think the classes are very instrumental in enabling and empowering the youth, to know the real Islam. Sometimes if a person doesn’t learn or is not knowledgeable about the real Islam, they can be tricked,” said Farah.

Farah and other leaders are hoping the young men are getting the message.

“I want them to know that you can be a Muslim in America and you have every right if you’re doing everything legal and you’re living your life, you’re practicing you’re making the community better,” said Farah.

There is also a class for young women. They meet on Saturdays.

Sonya Goins, Producer

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