After watching what was a very eye-opening, but more harrowing Channel 4 documentary on British ISIS supporters, I am left stick to my stomach and curious to know more. 'The British Women Supporters Unveiled' has been successful in what seems to me the first breakthrough in educating the masses on how some people, namely women in London can be fast-tracked on the process of radicalization.
In the documentary, a Muslim woman called Aisha unravels her one-year journey of keeping up with online ISIS recruiters on Twitter and then eventually meeting up with London recruiters at stalls and study circles.
What was particularly disturbing to me was that these ISIS supporters are in the very heart of London, the city I grew up in, the city in which I travel to and back. How ironic is it that Westerners fear such people, but we are probably brushing past these people on a daily, not knowing they are disillusioned radicals with ulterior motives? That is not to say I am promoting suspicion or discriminatory action against Islam, but for us to be more aware of our surroundings and not to ignore those on the verge of being groomed into terrorism. As a young Muslim, I, myself have witnessed passionate Islamic preaching, but also preaching that focuses on hatred towards Westerners and non Muslims alike.
This documentary was captivating to the least, Aisha undercover, revealed the atrocious and exploitative preaching led by a particular women in these 'study circles'. Towards the end of the documentary, the British female ISIS supporters become wary of Aisha, and so corner her into a side room and demand to go through her bag, on suspicion that she may be a spy. Aisha very scared and distraught, maintains her ground and does not allow for her bag to be searched, leaving the centre sobbing.
Although I enjoyed watching this documentary which has rid me on my ignorance on how Muslims may be radicalised, I am also very mindful of how it has represented Islam. Why did the presenter and the participatory Aisha not make it clear that these people were mis-interpreting Islam and make the clear point that Islam is against terrorism? By creating such documentaries, media practitioners are fuelling an 'us vs them' narrative which fosters a culture of Islamophobia, which then creates moral panic and conflict. And guess what? This is exactly what ISIS are manifesting through their ideologies and plans to crush our spirits.
I am adamant that collectively as a world and through the assistance of powerful countries like America and Russia, we can defeat ISIS. However, day by day, I am loosing a bit more hope than I had the previous day. Why may you ask? Well, because the U.S have already deployed numerous air strikes and although Jihadi John may have been killed, we still got a long way to go. One of the most stomach -churning and frightful things is the rapid increase of ISIS recruits as well as their fearless nature and atrocious murderous killings of innocent people all over the world.
I find it very alarming that it has taken the government till the recent Paris attacks to start examining a defence review in parliament. Why is it only now that Britain wants to take military action against ISIS, why only now? Now that things have spiralled out of control? But hey, better late than never. David Cameron said in parliament, "The world is more dangerous and uncertain today than it was five years ago." He couldn't be more accurate, but with this recognition of the accuracy, he bears responsibility and so action is soon to be undertaken. In order to tackle this multi-faceted conflict, Cameron has urged for an increase in air strikes from Iraq to Syria. I wonder however, if tackling ISIS on the ground would be an alternative strategy, by utlising Sunni Arabs.
Whatever we do, we need to act fast. These morons are ruining our world, our lives and Islam.
In the documentary, a Muslim woman called Aisha unravels her one-year journey of keeping up with online ISIS recruiters on Twitter and then eventually meeting up with London recruiters at stalls and study circles.
What was particularly disturbing to me was that these ISIS supporters are in the very heart of London, the city I grew up in, the city in which I travel to and back. How ironic is it that Westerners fear such people, but we are probably brushing past these people on a daily, not knowing they are disillusioned radicals with ulterior motives? That is not to say I am promoting suspicion or discriminatory action against Islam, but for us to be more aware of our surroundings and not to ignore those on the verge of being groomed into terrorism. As a young Muslim, I, myself have witnessed passionate Islamic preaching, but also preaching that focuses on hatred towards Westerners and non Muslims alike.
This documentary was captivating to the least, Aisha undercover, revealed the atrocious and exploitative preaching led by a particular women in these 'study circles'. Towards the end of the documentary, the British female ISIS supporters become wary of Aisha, and so corner her into a side room and demand to go through her bag, on suspicion that she may be a spy. Aisha very scared and distraught, maintains her ground and does not allow for her bag to be searched, leaving the centre sobbing.
Although I enjoyed watching this documentary which has rid me on my ignorance on how Muslims may be radicalised, I am also very mindful of how it has represented Islam. Why did the presenter and the participatory Aisha not make it clear that these people were mis-interpreting Islam and make the clear point that Islam is against terrorism? By creating such documentaries, media practitioners are fuelling an 'us vs them' narrative which fosters a culture of Islamophobia, which then creates moral panic and conflict. And guess what? This is exactly what ISIS are manifesting through their ideologies and plans to crush our spirits.
I am adamant that collectively as a world and through the assistance of powerful countries like America and Russia, we can defeat ISIS. However, day by day, I am loosing a bit more hope than I had the previous day. Why may you ask? Well, because the U.S have already deployed numerous air strikes and although Jihadi John may have been killed, we still got a long way to go. One of the most stomach -churning and frightful things is the rapid increase of ISIS recruits as well as their fearless nature and atrocious murderous killings of innocent people all over the world.
I find it very alarming that it has taken the government till the recent Paris attacks to start examining a defence review in parliament. Why is it only now that Britain wants to take military action against ISIS, why only now? Now that things have spiralled out of control? But hey, better late than never. David Cameron said in parliament, "The world is more dangerous and uncertain today than it was five years ago." He couldn't be more accurate, but with this recognition of the accuracy, he bears responsibility and so action is soon to be undertaken. In order to tackle this multi-faceted conflict, Cameron has urged for an increase in air strikes from Iraq to Syria. I wonder however, if tackling ISIS on the ground would be an alternative strategy, by utlising Sunni Arabs.
Whatever we do, we need to act fast. These morons are ruining our world, our lives and Islam.