The Islamist: Why I joined radical Islam in Britain, what I saw inside and why I left

by: Ed Husain

Published by: Penguin Books

Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

The Islamist is about a British man of Bangladeshi descent. It is a story about his relationship with his family that practices a moderate and benign version of Islam, his transformation as an adolescent to a more radical form of Islam which weakens his ties with his family, and later his rejection of such an extreme interpretation of Islam.

The book is easy to read, but the narrative may require readers to have some background in Islam, and an understanding of common Arabic terms. The book does provide background on the more intricate nuances and differentiations within the faith.

Readers see how religion plays a central role in the lives of some Muslims, regardless if they embrace the more radical or the more mainstream interpretations of Islam. The narrative details how the author is recruited and indoctrinated by the more radical groups, and how he in turn wins recruits and transforms his campus. Of interest is that it is all done through legitimate student organizations, and the use of peer pressure. Recruits are not coerced to join, but are attracted in joining. Intellectual discourse is not shunned, but the basis of such discourse is regulated. Only later do the acts committed run counter to most secular laws, and more strongly offend human sensibilities. It is then that the journey back “home” begins.

One would be hard-pressed to find intellectual discourses to rationalize the author’s changing position in this book. Instead one finds life-changing events that influence and eventually transform the author’s outlook on life in general, and on his religious beliefs in particular. The book does not outline the various factors that draw initially moderate youth into extreme organizations, or what governments or citizens can do to protect themselves. Organizations evolve, their recruiting techniques change, and their operations become more sophisticated. One would expect that the organizational tactics and strategies described here were current a decade ago, and most likely have evolved considerably since then.

This is one man’s personal journey; as such it outlines a story that is unique, insightful and reflective.

Armchair Interviews says: A unique perspective.