Brian De Mulder was a very typical boy who enjoyed
playing football and planned to make a living playing the game. Two years later
though, at age 17 Brian was devastated when cut from his football club. It was
a big blow for him because it seemed to be the end of his dream. TIME was told
by his family that they never would have imagined what happened next. Brian was
raised Catholic and was a good boy. However, soon after he was cut from his
club, some Moroccan teens invited him to play indoors with them. Brian eagerly
accepted. During the course of two months he began hanging around the mosque of
his new friends and eventually converted to Islam. Brian changed his name as
well. His patents were shocked at the sudden change but tolerated it believing
that Brian was merely going through a phase. His sister said their mother, “She thought it was a phase of a teenager—of
puberty…‘In six months it will be over,’ she hoped. But it became worse with
his age.” Thought a good student, there were problems at school when Brian
became angry with less pious Muslims at school and he eventually dropped
out. By 18, Brian had begun to take
Arabic lessons and praying five times every day. His aunt said, “It was more
philosophical back then…He was asking about things, wondering about God. It was
more like learning. He was not radical at all.” Brian began to follow the teachings of the
radical Foad Belkacem. Relatives believe that Belkacem radicalized Brian
turning him from a kid with “a golden heart” to “a programmed robot” in a
matter of months. There were many attempts from Brian’s family to keep him away
from such radical people, the family was fearful of Brian going on jihad.
Eventually after telling his family he would “drop them like bricks” Brian left
in January after telling his little sister, “I love you, but you will never see
me again.” After much searching, the family happened on a YouTube video that
showed Brian with rebels laying down weapons to pray. The story of Brian is not
unlike many others who have gone to war in Syria. It is estimated that 6,000 foreigners
have fought in Syria since March 2011. Ten percent of those are from western
nations. Aaron Zelen, who is a part of the Washington Institute for Near East
Policy, believes that this is the fastest mobilization of foreigners into the conflict.
Experts believe that the internet has also been a major use in introducing radical
ideas to youths from all over the world. Vulnerable teens or college aged men
who feel discriminated or have difficulties in society are typical converts.
While the De Mulders want their son back there will be issues. It is unknown
how Brian will be welcomed back nationally if he decides to return. In April,
Brian did communicate with his older sister but did not show any signs of
returning. May 18, the family tries to “keep spirits high” as they celebrate
Brian’s 20th birthday.
Andrew Katz wrote
this article May 22. In order to get to many of the subjects in the article Katz
tells a story about Brian De Mulder to connect the ideas. Katz uses a detailed
past about Brian to get the reader interested. Details to describe Brian, such
as his dream to play football, make him seem innocent causing the reader to
feel concern for the young man. This makes the results tragic when the reader
sees such a nice kid leave his family. The conflict in Syria is talked about
and connected with Brian’s story. There are various outside resources such as a
report for King’s College London. Various people are quoted, such as the De
Mulder family and Clint Watts, to show the vulnerability of young people to
extremist ideas.
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