West Yorks imam: 'We have failed' teens heading to Syria
Dewsbury Imam Farooq Yunus on local teens thought to be heading to Syria.
A religious scholar from Dewsbury has told 5 live how he received a text message telling him two teenagers were thought to be heading to Syria.
Farooq Yunus, who teaches at the Zakaria Mosque in Savile Town, said "I didn't believe it...I found it difficult to sleep at night".
"I thought we'd got over that, that it was a problem for the London people, or Birmingham, but it's still here,"
The two West Yorkshire teenagers, named as Hassan Munshi and Talha Asmal, both 17, are thought to be heading to Syria to join Islamic State after flying from Manchester to Dalaman in Turkey on 31 March
On how the boys' family are coping Farooq Yunus said "I know they are shocked, all of them".
On why they may have been radicalised: "It's non-engagement...their guidance is social media and internet".
Asked if Dewsbury has failed the boys Mr Yunus replied "I think we have failed them...I think the whole system, everybody, the council, the police, the community, the society".
On helping to prevent radicalisation Mr Yunus spoke about the multi-faith group in the area and suggested mosques could engage young people in sport, extra curricular activities and take a lead from what youths would like to do.
This clip is from 5 live Daily Wed 8 April 2015.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
News—5 Live In Short
The best current affairs interviews, insight and analysis from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 live.
More clips from 5 Live In Short
-
MPs to vote on bill for assisted death for terminally ill
Duration: 01:25
-
“We didn’t let this disease take us over as a couple"
Duration: 01:22
-
Salt in tea? Surprising food pairings to explore!
Duration: 02:07