Violent Extremism: Causes and Solutions

The Pakistani-American Association of Connecticut has invited leading thinkers, writers and theologians to East Hartford next weekend to discuss violent extremism and how it can be stopped.  

The idea for the conference grew out of concern over the failed Times Square bombing. 

Speaking on WNPR’s Where We Live, Saud Anwar, co-chair of the American Muslim Peace Initiative, says that was a wake-up call. "First of all, we did what was necessary immediately to try and help the law enforcement agencies with that particular case.  However, we want to also look at the whole situation intellectually to try and understand why it happens."

Experts will speak about the causes of radicalization;  challenges for Muslims in America; and solutions to violent extremism.

Alejandro Beutel,  Muslim Public Affairs Committee’s Government Liason, will discuss building partnerships between the Muslim American community and law enforcement.

"We’ve been doing statistical tracking of terrorist incidents since 9/11, and what we find is that almost 1/3rd of all Al-Queda related plots that have threatened the United States, have been foiled due to the assistance of Muslim communities.  So we’re trying to drive home the fact that Muslim American communities are very willing partners to help in this issue."

The daylong conference – Understanding Radicalization and De-Radicalization Strategies – takes place Saturday at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel in East Hartford.