CALGARY - A prominent Muslim cleric says he intends to reach out to other imams to make sure that new converts to Islam are watched closely for signs of radical beliefs.
While authorities have said little about the motives for this week's attacks in Ottawa and Quebec, Imam Syed Soharwardy (sy-ED' so-HAR'-wahr-DEE') of Calgary says he is concerned about media reports that the two perpetrators were recent converts to Islam.
Soharwardy, the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism and the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, said imams should look for warning signs, such as a criminal record or drug abuse, before allowing an individual to convert.
He said imams also have a responsibility to stay in touch with those who may be troubled and to make sure they are properly following Islamic beliefs.
Soharwardy said he believes that many Muslims are being brainwashed by radical groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
He said there is concern about backlash against the mainstream Muslim community from extremists who consider them to be traitors, or from the general public who think all Muslims are the same.
