So...They Traveled to the Mideast.

[DesertBerean]

1) Is it not one of the five requirements of Islam - to visit Mecca at least once?

2) They have relatives in the area. Why not visit them?


This criteria of determining if one radicalized has always puzzled me.

[Cerebrum123]

1) Is it not one of the five requirements of Islam - to visit Mecca at least once?

Yes, the pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam. The only time it isn't required is if you are sick or poor.

2) They have relatives in the area. Why not visit them?

Depends on the country. Also depends on the relatives.

This criteria of determining if one radicalized has always puzzled me.

Well, perhaps they are taking into account 1. 2 would need to take into account who the family members were. For instance, visiting Osama bin Laden* is going to raise red flags, while your average Mohammed won't necessarily do so.

*He's dead now obviously, but I think you get my point.

[DesertBerean]

Ok. Good points. It's one of the first items I see when the media reports on those individuals.

[Cow Poke]

There are many ... for lack of a better term... "secular" Muslims in the US. They take "a trip to Mecca" about as seriously as many Christians do witnessing or soulwinning.

The fact that a Muslim takes the time and expense to make the pilgrimage indicates a greater degree of commitment to Islam, but is only part of the overall equation. Additionally, the "stops along the way" may be instructive - where they stopped, and for how long.

[Raphael]

1) Is it not one of the five requirements of Islam - to visit Mecca at least once?

2) They have relatives in the area. Why not visit them?


This criteria of determining if one radicalized has always puzzled me.

Who are you talking about?

[DesertBerean]

I keep seeing this point being raised whenever a Muslim is suspected or has in fact attacked someone or someplace. Most recently that poor Philly cop almost assassinated by an avowed Muslim who had visited the Mideast recently.

Also, in relation to the Loma Linda shootout last month, they made a big deal of the Muslim couple's ties to the Mideast.

[KingsGambit]

Can't we distinguish between being radicalized and taking your religion seriously? This isn't just about Islam, either. You hear about "radical Christians", and I don't think people should be allowed to smuggle that adjective in unchallenged since I think we all know the term "radical" has certain connotations. This guy was really a radical Muslim but it isn't just because he went to Mecca.

[Raphael]

I keep seeing this point being raised whenever a Muslim is suspected or has in fact attacked someone or someplace. Most recently that poor Philly cop almost assassinated by an avowed Muslim who had visited the Mideast recently.

Also, in relation to the Loma Linda shootout last month, they made a big deal of the Muslim couple's ties to the Mideast.

Ahh, I think is does actually depend where in the Middle East they were visiting.

If they were just going to Mecca, or visiting Uncle Mohammed then no problem

If they were visiting Abdullah's "Terrorists R Us" training college, then a wee bit of a problem.

[siam]

Mainstream Media rarely have anything intelligent to offer or say these days---One should not take them too seriously......

The term "Middle East" is itself curious---at least to me.....apparently it comprises of the following transcontinental countries....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_EastThe use of the term "radicalized" is also biased---in that, it focuses mainly on how Muslim youth become violent---when actually the phenomenon is more general....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicalization

Some observations from research...
....and this is also interesting.....

[Cow Poke]

[I]Mainstream Media rarely have anything intelligent to offer or say these days---One should not take them too seriously......

Finally, something on which we can agree!