Young militants are more likely to reject extremist views quicker than those who are steeped in theory, according to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maiman, a member of the Advice Committee concerned with such detainees. “The theoreticians do not give up their militant thoughts easily and return to the right path,” said Al-Maiman. However, the authorities deal with these more difficult detainees by holding discussions with them on their views. “If these aspects are targeted, they mostly backtrack from their [militant] thoughts.” Al-Maiman said that success is much quicker with the younger detainees because they embraced their militant ideas “without awareness”. He said that they often demonstrate a “deep regret” about having these ideas and “start crying”. Al-Maiman added that some of the detained youths said that they had embraced their extremist ideas after having their feelings aroused by “fiery sermons”. Al-Maiman said the activities of the advice program are continuing in Ramadan, especially at the Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of Detainees. An awareness program has been prepared that includes advice sessions and dialogue in which Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, and members of the Board of Senior Ulema (Scholars) participate. Al-Maiman said the advice program includes courses inside the prisons, focusing on topics that detainees are confused about, including jihad, loyalty, rulings of Allah and the Kingdom's approach to these issues. These are study courses and subjects which are stopped during Ramadan, he said. Members of the Advice Committee also hold individual meetings with detainees, said Al
