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Sunday 25 Oct 2015 - 13:39 Makkah mean time-12-1-1437
Community worker Emad Elkheir and Sheikh Wissam Charkawi, who are involved in grassroots programs to bolster social cohesion among youngsters in their community. Image fom Internet
Sydney, (IINA) - As government de-radicalization program in Australia failed to gain the support of faith groups, the individual efforts of some Islamic groups have proven successful in promoting cohesion and integration among the young, OnIslam reported.
“This is an Islamic principle and a universal principle,” Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, a chaplain of a school in western Sydney, told The Guardian on Thursday.
“When you’re walking on the street and you see somebody, there is no harm in saying hello, good day, how are you going?
“That is the way of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). So offer peace greetings to whoever you see," he added.
Charkawi was talking during a social cohesion event he ran in Bicentennial Park in western Sydney.
The treasure hunt program, in which boys from different faiths participated, is one of a number of under-the-radar social initiatives being run in Muslim communities by trusted figures, independently of government money.
Crucially, the program has no connection to counter-terrorism, and nothing to do with “de-radicalization”.
“The underpinning of the program is about social cohesion. It’s about identity, showing these kids who they are,” Charkawi said.
“It’s about instilling a positive feeling within the youth. Engaging them and creating a rapport so we can impart positive messages.”
It is worth to mention that at Bicentennial Park, the Muslim chaplain program was winning hearts.
SM/IINA
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