SOMALI youths living in western Sydney have been identified as a potential source of future home grown violent extremism according to intelligence given to the federal government.
The government will directly fund specific counter-terrorism programs aimed at Sydney's Somali community to prevent marginalised youth being lured into radical groups.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland will today announce $1.7 million in grants to 22 local community organisations as part of a Rebuilding Resilience in the Community program.
Two of those programs will be aimed directly at Sydney's west and south western Somali refugee community.
While there is no evidence that any have links to those involved in an alleged Melbourne terror cell smashed by police in 2009, local leaders say there is a risk that young people in Sydney could be drawn into radical groups.
"Intelligence and feedback from the community form a key part of the evidence base that drives Australia's Countering Violent Extremism program," Mr McClelland said.
"We want to give people the knowledge and skills to challenge violent extremism, whenever and wherever these ideologies are advocated, whether online, in schools, in the media or among peers.
"A comprehensive counter-terrorism response needs to include broader strategies to lessen the appeal of extremist ideologies that fuel terrorism in the first place."
Earlier this year, about $1 million was handed out for youth mentoring programs but the new round of grants will go directly to combat extremism. It is the first time money will go directly to Somali groups in Sydney and in Melbourne.
Mohammed Omar, who runs the Sydney Stars Somali Football Club and will help administer a program, said he believed there were no extremists living among Sydney's Somali community. But he admitted the risk was present for young marginalised people to be drawn into radical groups.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
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