Use Radio Free Europe model against haters

And so it has happened again. Another terrorist attack. This time in Brussels, Belgium. ISIS claimed responsibility for this attack and has promised more in the future.

No one can doubt their intentions, and we can only hope it doesn't happen here. We certainly must protect ourselves and attack their caliphate in Syria, but is that enough? What is the solution?

How do we sway these people to stop their madness? How do we keep them from teaching their children in the madrassas to hate the West? How do we get the Imams in the mosques to stop preaching hate?

During the Cold War, one method of communicating with Eastern Europe was a program called Radio Free Europe. RFE used announcers who spoke the languages of the East. It preached freedom, democracy and respect for all.

I believe this method should be used again to reach the Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries where ISIS, al-Qaida, and the other hate mongers brainwash their followers. Call it Radio Free Islam.

The announcers would be moderate Imams and other Muslims who speak Arabic, Farsi and Pashto and would preach a message of love and understanding.

I have no personal animosity toward Muslims and believe the large majority are as angry about the people that have corrupted their religion as those of us in the West who don't practice their faith. I know this program won't stop everyone from doing evil, but we can't kill everyone, especially when we don't know who they are or where they live.

We must try to change some minds with the hope that eventually they will see the evil and futility of following the haters.

John Schadl

Arlington Heights