German interior minister urges Muslims to combat militancy

German Muslims must prevent radicalization, says Friedrich

Germany's interior minister met with Muslim community leaders to discuss how they can prevent youth radicalization. Muslim leaders countered that the responsibility lies with the government.

German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich urged the country's Muslim community on Friday to do more to prevent the spread of radicalization among its youth. He told Muslim leaders at a meeting in Berlin that families must act early to prevent young boys from turning into jihadists.

"Neither the security authorities nor ordinary Muslim citizens can do much to help," when youths radicalize, he said. "It is up to the parents and the rest of the family to be observant about what their children are up to and how they are changing."

Friedrich, a member of Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU), had summoned the meeting to discuss the risks of homegrown terrorism. 

Read the rest on: Deutsche Welle