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Hama Cleric Trains Minors in Weapons Use Under Official Sponsorship
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This training campaign highlights a troubling overlap between religious and military institutions, reflecting a breakdown in the separation of roles amid exceptional circumstances
Sheikh Abdul Nasser Alwan, known as "Abu Islam Al-Hamwi," has launched a weapons training program under the supervision and support of the Hama Directorate of Religious Endowments. Circulated images show underage children among the participants, raising serious questions about the blurred lines between religious preaching and military training—especially when involving minors who require special protection.
The campaign, framed as a "religious outreach" initiative, has taken an unconventional turn by incorporating firearms training, sparking widespread controversy and criticism on social media. The event underscores a striking convergence of religious and military institutions in a region already experiencing exceptional conditions.
Public opinion has been sharply divided: some argue that the program is merely training, not recruitment, while others see it as a violation of children's rights, exposing them to ideas and practices unsuitable for their age. This debate reflects the broader polarization in the region and conflicting views on child-rearing and youth protection.
Critics have pointed to the hypocrisy of condemning other groups for recruiting minors while allowing similar practices under official institutions. Observers warn that involving children in military activities carries deep psychological and educational risks, regardless of the organizing body.
Supporters of the initiative defend it as a means to teach children self-defense skills, citing historical Islamic precedents and similar practices in other countries. This controversy raises deeper questions about childhood and the boundaries of responsibility in a society suffering from prolonged conflict.
The incident reveals an uncontrolled overlap in institutional authority, with the Directorate of Religious Endowments stepping beyond its traditional role in overseeing religious affairs to endorse activities with a military dimension.
The case is expected to fuel further debate over the legal and ethical framework of such practices, amid calls to protect children from being drawn into environments unsuitable for their age.
