CTV Shills for Anti-Radicalization Initiative

I try to keep an open mind; really, I do. But I have to say that my inner cynic begins to gurgle--and, no, it's not because of that cold pizza with the Feta cheese I had for breakfast--when I hear about efforts that aim to muffle the siren call of jihad by encouraging at risk youths "to channel their anger into creating change in their own communities."

As Kamran Bhatti, who thinks has found a way to prevent the lads from becoming radicalized and running off to wage jihad with ISIS, explains to CTV news,

"What we do with youth like that is we acknowledge that [their] grievances are valid. 

But what we try to steer them toward is the positive way to express that grievance. It's not through violence," he says.

And how, pray tell, does he do that? Well, his North American Spiritual Revival program

offers training on how to lobby government agencies for specific change and how to put across a positive message through the media. 

The program's service model includes doing volunteer work, such as working for food pantries, handing out winter clothes to the homeless, and collecting food donations during Ramadan to give to the needy. 

"The idea is we train them with practical life skills, plus we'll give them the opportunity to offer service and to have ownership of their community," says Bhatti.

So as I understand it, on the one hand you have the opportunity to fulfill the Koranic command to wage jihad on the infidels until such time as they feel themselves to be subdued and are willing to pay the jizya. On the other you have lobbying the government, helping the homeless, and acquiring practical life skills.

You'll forgive me if I can't help but think that, for those so inclined, the stuff on the other hand isn't going to be nearly as appealing/attractive/enticing as the stuff of the first hand.

Oh, and BTW, what CTV fails to tell you is that this program has collaborated with the entity formerly known as CAIR-CAN, a Muslim Brotherhood associate. Also, on its website, you can also find a link to Zaid Shakir, who's not exactly a "moderate" imam.

Odd that they'd omit those facts, wouldn't you say? (I guess they're not as good as using Google as I am.)