was not particularly challenging. Recruitment Processes The following explanations were given in response to how they found out about joining. Encouraged by Family Members and Peers In the words of one respondent: "My father bought me a gun and brought it home. He said that if he were me, young and healthy, he would be at the front line of the battle and not at home." While al-Shabab targets marginalized youth and orphans, even those who do not fit in those categories are not immune from recruitment. The fact that close relatives encourage youth to join demonstrates that some in society see al-Shabab's fight as "their fight." It is not because society is radicalized and has fully embraced jihadist ideology and certainly not due to the debilitating poverty that has riddled Somalia for decades; rather, it is a fight to maintain their culture, language, religion and way of life -- it is a fight to safeguard their identity and its important features from foreign "invaders" such as Ethiopia and AMISOM. Encouraged by Religious Leaders Religious leaders would deliver fiery sermons about jihad and urge the populace to join al-Shabab. Encouraged by Businessmen Seeking Protection Businessmen in Somalia benefit from security and order. Thus, they often support al-Shabab in areas where the group is dominant (and other groups elsewhere).[4] These businessmen encourage youth to join al-Shabab to ensure ranks are well filled. This also functions as an alternative career for idle youth who would otherwise turn to petty crime and hooliganism.