Australia grants $13 million to Muslim communities

Sydney - Australia announced $13 million grant to associations and organizations of the Muslim communities to launch programs to combat what it called “home-grown terrorism and Islamic extremism.”

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the amount is part of the new budget, which is estimated at $64 million allocated to anti-terror programs and to enhance the capabilities of the security and intelligence agencies in charge of monitoring the Australian nationals involved in terror activities overseas, and their supporters.

Abbott said that the amount allocated for the associations will be spent on measures to stop young Australians from being radicalized and heading overseas to join extremist groups in Syria and Iraq, and to establish outreach programs for the Muslim community in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Australian Prime Minister launched a program under the banner “Team Australia,” including Australian Muslim organizations and leaders, whilst the program was opposed by a significant number of Muslims in the country.