Some of the signs are clearer with hindsight, but they were unique to him and each vulnerable individual who is radicalised behaves differently when it happens. At the time it simply did not cross my mind that my son could join such a heinous and vile group. [...]
What I’ve learned is there is no instruction manual for parents; as much as you lead your children on a path of kindness and growth, you can’t predict who they come across, or fully protect them from those who might influence them. [...]
One positive thing that can come from difficult situations like this is an increase in families reaching out for advice and support to help build critical thinking skills and resilience to combat extremist ideologies. Early intervention and examining motivating factors is essential work to help prevent another Rasheed or Shamima from becoming radicalised in the first place. If through Families for Life we can help stop just one person from succumbing to extremism and radicalisation, my son’s death will not have been completely in vain.
No comments:
Post a Comment