Praise for the way Cardiff is tackling radicalisation

FAMILIES in Cardiff have taken part in a workshop to help identify the signs of radicalisation.

A workshop was held at Madina Mosque in Cathays by charity Families Against Stress and Trauma (FAST).

Saleha Jaffer, from the charity, said work the charity has been undertaking in Cardiff has helped intervene in cases where people were being radicalised.

She praised the way communities and other agencies are working together in the capital to tackle extremism but says people still have to be aware.

In 2015, aged 17, Aseel Muthana fled his home in Cardiff and followed his older brother Nasser Muthana to join the Islamic State terrorist group.

Cardiff jihadist Reyaad Khan was killed after he too travelled to Syria.

“The charity has been going since 1970 but when people started going to Syria and Iraq we wanted to do something about it,” she said.

The charity has produced a DVD and workshops to raise awareness of some of the signs that children being radicalised can demonstrate.

“All the parents I have met in Cardiff are different to a lot of parents. They all want to ensure that their children fear radicalisation.

“They are worried and so fearful about these influences which are coming their way.”

She said telltale signs of radicalisation include children becoming secretive or changing the way they talk about Islam.

“They can become radicalised in their Islamic viewpoints and sometimes they challenge their parents about their religion and use different terms,” she said.

Should someone approach the charity with concerns, they will contact the child and talk to them and their families. “We will come and help you,” she said. “Sometimes we do a risk assessment and there may be no risk at all, but there may be some risk.”

When necessary, the charity will intervene, and they have had examples of successful interventions of children in Cardiff. She said some of those attending the workshop last week knew the children from Cardiff who had travelled to Syria to join so-called Islamic State.

Ms Jaffer said the close-knit community in Cardiff made it harder to get into.

“But if parents see or hear something, they need to raise it. They shouldn’t be ashamed of it and be fearful.

“No-one is coming to take your children away. For their peace of mind and for the safety of them and their children, it’s better to speak to someone.”

She said that agencies are working together here.

“What Cardiff is doing is very good. They’re highlighting the issues now and they are opening up.

“Before they used to say ‘It won’t happen in Cardiff’ but now they are acknowledging this disease is here. It has been a big move for the people of Cardiff.

“This issue isn’t going to go away or be tackled by one person. It’s by the whole community and they all need to work together to eradicate this horrible, horrible issue,” Ms Jaffer added.

To find out more visit www.familiesmatter.org.uk/take-action/spot-thesigns