troubled youth

After three years' of discussion, Belmont will finally have Perth's first centre to help Islamic youth who may be at risk of extremism. That may be a narrow view of the centre's role, there will also be a "focus on ... social issues, national security, religious tolerance, culture and multiculturalism" (The West, 14 Dec). Plus "youth clubs, education workshops, mentoring and positive motivation programs."

That's great.

Though it does raise the question: why do Islamic youth need a special centre to keep them from extremism? How do Irish youth avoid extremism? English youth? Italians, Greeks, Germans...? What is it about *Islamic* youth?

Yes, yes, it's a rhetorical question. I have two more questions:

q1. Why do I accept that yes, Islamic youth are liable to extremism? Answer: because I see Islam as a religion which is struggling to drag itself out of the mediaeval approach of, convert or kill. And the extremists are willing to kill anyone.

The Irish, in contrast, focus their killing on the English. So their clubs in Australia need only supply food, drink and company.

q2. Why does the article begin with the emphasis on extremism? Answer: because that makes for a more marketable story.

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Perhaps the new centre is intended to be a PCYC for a local -- largely Islamic -- population. If so, use journalistic skills to tease this out and present it in the article. Add the anti-extremism as a possibly positive extra benefit.

Perhaps the real aim is to counter extremism and the rest is just sugar on the pill. If so, say so. And reassure cynics like me that real efforts are being made to fit an ancient religion into a modern multi-cultural society.

It's a PR thing. Positive actions must be taken. They must also be *seen* to be taken. Act against extremism. And be *seen* to be acting against a -- perceived -- problem.

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Better yet... forget the "Islamic" label. Build the building. Have it run by the established PCYC structure. Add whatever Islamic touches are useful. But have the centre fit within the Australian society in which the Islamic youth are now living.

Nick Lethbridge  /  consulting dexitroboper
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"A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because its trust is not in the branch, but in its own wings." … unknown
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