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音频下载: 2017年12月英语六级听力练习材料及音频(4)
NAIROBI— The Riyadh Majengo Mosque on theoutskirts of Nairobi has been
accused of being ahub of radicalization, for youth turning to theSomali militant
group al-Shabab. But the imamof the mosque said he and others work to
turnyoungsters away from extremist activity.
This is twenty-three-year-old Ibrahim Nyongesa, a resident of Pumwani on
the outskirts of theKenyan capital. He earns about $50 per month, making and
selling coconut confections.
Four years ago, Nyongesa became radicalized after listening to sermons from
some of themosques in Pumwani. But he stopped short of joining al-Shabab, he
said, after hearing what hecalls "correct" teachings from the Riyadh Majengo
Mosque.
“I changed from being radicalized after listening to sermons and teachings
of the sheikhs at themosque, and I came to discover that in Islam one is not
allowed to shed innocent blood,” saidNyongesa.
High unemployment
Pumwani has a population of about thirty thousand people. Unemployment here
is high withmost youth doing odd jobs to earn a living.
Critics of the mosque say it has become a focal point for young men who
think militancy is theanswer to Kenya's problems. Two years ago, police raided
the area and arrested youths whosaid they were part of the mosque. Two weeks
ago, a member of the mosque who works forthe country’s parliament was arrested
on allegations that he has links to al-Shabab.
Three years ago, Idrisi Nyaboga joined the mosque as its imam. He said
allegations the mosquefunds and encourages terror activities are unfounded.
Nyaboga said the mosque works to de-radicalize the youth around
Majengo.
“When we encounter a Muslim so radicalized meaning his views are against
the teachings of theProphet and the Quran, we explain the truth in detail until
they change their hardline stance.Once they know the truth it's then up to
them," he said. "Forcing them to be moderate isanother thing altogether. We
cannot force them. Ours is to show them the way and tell themthat their
radicalized stand is wrong.”
Advocating inclusion
Benji Ndolo from the Organization of National Empowerment, a group that
advocates for policychange and good governance, said the problem of
radicalization could be addressed by thegovernment through inclusion.
“It's got to do more in terms of programs, in terms of affirmative action,
in terms of proactive,you know, measures, to bring the youth into mainstream
nation-building, whether it's tenders[contracts], whether it's projects, whether
it's different undertakings to create opportunity forthem to earn something and
get them off the sidelines," said Ndolo.
Kenyans are concerned about Islamic militancy in the wake of deadly attacks
claimed by al-Shabab. Last month, al-Shabab gunmen killed 148 people at a
university in the town of Garissa.The group said the attack was in retaliation
for Kenya's military involvement in Somalia. |
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