Minn. Somali leader calls al-Shabab 'cancerous ideology'

The leader of a Minneapolis-based group that aims to help young Somali-Americans told a Congressional committee on Thursday that defeating the terror group al-Shabab and its radical message will be an uphill battle.

Mohamed Farah, executive director of the group Ka Joog, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington. The committee called the hearing on al-Shabab because of the group's ability to recruit young fighters from the United States.

Farah said nonprofit groups like his lack the necessary resources to counter al-Shabab's message.

"I urge you, this committee and our federal government -- my government -- to stand with us, to fight al-Shabab, and eliminate this cancerous ideology," he said.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for a four-day attack on a Nairobi shopping mall last month. FBI officials said today that they have yet to confirm the identities of the attackers.

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