For most of us, the idea of anyone willingly leaving the country and joining ISIS is unthinkable. Unfortunately, the unthinkable is unfolding in developed nations like the United States, United Kingdom and China. According to US intelligence, about 30,000 foreigners have traveled to the region to support ISIS since 2011. Of those recruits, about 4,500 came from Western countries (250 Americans and 750 Britons).
ISIS has been able to use their propaganda to attract new believers. In the U.K it has been reported that at least one person leaves the country to join ISIS each week.
The UK is fighting back with its own campaign to stop these people from making a huge mistake. Syrian refugees are helping Scotland Yard in their new video pleading with British mothers to stop their daughter from joining ISIS.
Yes.
Their daughters.
ISIS has somehow convinced young women to join their crusade.
In an effort to prevent these young women from leaving, Scotland Yard has produced a video with Syrian mothers urging them not to leave.
So far 56 women and girls have left the UK to join ISIS -- a 30 percent increase on the 43 who left in 2014.
One of the most important questions to ask in this scenario is how and why these young women are leaving their homes to go to a foreign nation to support ISIS. What appeal does ISIS have over young women? Why join ISIS?
I have no definitive answer for this question, but I believe a part of the appeal comes from the desire to be a part of something bigger than yourself; to make a difference on a global scale. There are youth who feel like their voices are overshadowed and have no value in any significant way. By joining this organization, their actions and beliefs all of sudden carry significance and make a difference.
Unfortunately, ISIS is doing something right if they are able to successfully convince youth to travel to a foreign, dangerous region to support their regime. There is a valuable lesson to learn from this situation. Their successful propaganda has struck a chord in developed nations around the world. The longer it takes for us to learn it, the more youth we will lose to this terrorist organization.
