How Radical Jihadists Are Hijacking Islam and Brainwashing Our Kids: A Personal Wake-Up Call

Bernard Aybout (Virii8)

4 months ago

Let me be clear: I am not attacking Islam. In fact, this piece is a call to defend it.

As someone who has spent years studying culture, religion, and technology’s influence on youth, I’m alarmed by how radical jihadist ideology is quietly seeping into online spaces and reshaping the minds of young people—Muslim and non-Muslim alike. It’s not just a political issue anymore. It’s a psychological war—and our children are the target.

Table of Contents

Toggle

6 Minutes Read

Islam Isn’t the Problem—Extremism Is

Islam, at its heart, is a religion of peace. It emphasizes compassion, charity, and moral discipline. I’ve met countless devout Muslims who live their faith in inspiring ways—raising families, helping communities, and serving humanity.

But radical jihadists don’t represent them. In fact, they betray them.

Extremist groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and others have warped the concept of “jihad”—originally a term for spiritual struggle or defense in just war—into a doctrine of death. They glorify violence. They dehumanize others. And worst of all, they market this hate using slick online videos, memes, and pseudo-religious narratives that lure in the vulnerable and angry.

How Kids Are Getting Brainwashed

This isn’t just a far-off Middle East problem. It’s happening in Western countries, in our cities, in our neighborhoods—and increasingly, on our screens.

Here’s how jihadist recruiters operate:

They exploit social media platforms like YouTube, Telegram, TikTok, Discord, and even gaming servers to share propaganda.
They prey on feelings of isolation, injustice, and identity crises—particularly among teenagers who feel disconnected from family, community, or purpose.
They use simplified religious language, claiming to offer “truth” and “power” to the powerless, with black-and-white views of the world.
They reward loyalty with belonging, turning normal kids into ideological warriors.

Take a look at cases like:

Shamima Begum, the 15-year-old girl from London who joined ISIS after being radicalized online.
El Mahdi Jamali and Sabrine Djermane, Canadian teenagers arrested for terrorism-related charges after allegedly planning attacks.
The 2022 Buffalo shooter, who wasn’t Muslim at all—but was radicalized online in similar ideological ways. Hate transcends faith boundaries.

Extremism is contagious—and jihadist propaganda is just one variant.

Why the Muslim Community Is Also a Victim

Too often, people conflate jihadist violence with all of Islam. That’s a mistake—and a dangerous one. Radical jihadists not only kill non-Muslims, they also massacre Muslims by the thousands. Whether it’s Sunni vs Shia bloodshed, or targeting Muslims who reject extremism, these terrorists are equal-opportunity destroyers.

Islamic scholars, imams, and community leaders have repeatedly condemned extremism:

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, a respected American Muslim scholar, calls radicalism “a cancer in the body of Islam.”
Organizations like Muslims Against Terrorism and The Amman Message seek to reclaim the true message of Islam from distortion.

But their voices get drowned out in mainstream media—while headlines amplify the violence.

A Parent’s Role: Talk Early, Talk Often

If you’re a parent—Muslim or not—you have a vital role to play. Don’t assume your child is “too smart” to fall for this. Jihadist recruiters are smart too. They don’t show kids bomb vests on day one—they show them community, glory, belonging.

What to do:

✅ Talk to your kids about online content and radical ideas.
✅ Watch for signs of withdrawal, sudden anger, or “us vs them” thinking.
✅ Encourage critical thinking—teach them to question, not follow.
✅ Report extremist content to platform moderators or authorities when you see it.

Solutions: Education, Not Demonization

Labeling all of Islam as the enemy only pushes people into the arms of extremists who say, “See? They all hate us anyway.”

Instead:

Empower moderate Muslim voices.
Support de-radicalization programs like the UK’s Channel program or Canada’s CP3 (Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence).
Push social media companies to take down radical content faster, without infringing on genuine religious discussion.

We’re not fighting a religion—we’re fighting the hijacking of it.

Final Thought

Extremism flourishes in darkness. The more we ignore it, the more it spreads. The more we blame entire communities, the more we fracture society. The more we educate ourselves and speak up, the more resilient we become.

Radical jihadists have hijacked a religion to fuel their war. But we don’t have to let them hijack our children too.