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How a Socio-Economic Crisis Made Belgian Youth Decide to Join Daesh

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The spread of the Internet and financial uncertainty have added significantly to ongoing Islamic radicalization in Belgium, according to Hajib El-Hajjaji, vice-president of the Committee for Fighting Islamophobia.

A man types on a keyboard in front of a computer screen on which an Islamic State flag is displayed, in this picture illustration taken in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 6, 2016 - Sputnik International
A 'New Training Ground': Daesh Using the Internet to Promote Radicalization
In an exclusive interview with the Russian news network Zvezda, Hajib El-Hajjaji, vice-president of the Committee for Fighting Islamophobia, said that Daesh continues to use the Internet to promote radicalization in Belgium, something that he said is also fueled by the country's socio-economic meltdown.

He specifically pointed to the fact that radicalization is first and foremost targeted at young people in Belgium.

"One should understand what causes this radicalization. First, there is an unlimited amount of radicalization-related material on the Internet and eliminating it is an absolutely impossible task. The second reason is that the past 10 years have seen our unsuccessful efforts to ride out the social and economic crisis," he said.

According to him, all this results in democratic Belgium offering young people neither the future, nor a job.

"It's no wonder that Belgium's younger generation plunges into virtual reality, where Daesh uses its ideology to capitalize on young people's desire to play the role of heroes rather than victims.  And it has a very serious psychological impact on the people," he added.

El-Hajjaj also said that similar radical videos on YouTube have, in fact, divided the world into two parts: Muslims and "all others."

"The footage typically shows plush lifestyles with luxury apartments and cars, and the young people believe that if they fight for Daesh, they will have a prosperous future. But upon facing the reality, they start to realize the fact that the dream may never come true," he concluded.

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His interview came about a week after at least 31 people were killed and 300 more injured in two bomb blasts in Brussels' Zaventem airport and an explosion at a metro station in the city center.

The terrorist group Daesh, which has been condemned by Russia, the United States and other countries throughout the world, has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

As for Belgium, it has already contributed more Daesh recruits per capita than any other Western country. The total number amounted to more than 500 in 2015, according to the International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence. 

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