Australia Supports Muslim Mentor Program to Counter Extremism

Young Muslim leaders will be selected to work as mentors to try to limit the spread of violent extremism in Australia.

Mentors will focus on isolated or troubled young people identified as "at risk" of extremism through the $1.1 million Building Community Resilience programs.

The head of the Australian Multicultural Foundation said preventative measures planned would ensure we don't go down the path of the UK where terrorist attacks have created havoc.

Seven programs have received Commonwealth grants, to try to stem what the Government's white paper on national security identified as home grown terrorism risks.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said communities had been crying out for help and the Government had received almost 100 applications.

"The program will support activities that directly assist young people to disengage from intolerant and radical ideologies," Mr McClelland said. One program developed by the foundation will recruit 16 young Australian Muslims to be trained and sent into the community to mentor peers.

Other programs will teach young people to deal with frustration and connect with communities.

Young leaders will also be charged with dispelling myths about Islam.

Australian Multicultural Foundation executive director Hass Dellal (pictured) said the selected mentors will be working with other young people who are "vulnerable to particular views".

"There are people with different views, and what we are trying to do is make sure they are not preyed upon," Mr Dellal said.

"This is about young people taking back traditional Islam, and out of the hands of those who have interpreted it as some sort of violent and extreme religion."

Mr Dellal said it was important for young Muslims to educate the wider community about their religion.