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From The Sunday Times

August 12, 2007

How I escaped Islamism

Shiraz Maher

For almost four years I was on the front line of British Islamism serving as a regional officer in northeast England for Hizb ut-Tahrir, an extremist group committed to the creation of a puritanical caliphate. Since leaving in 2005, I’ve been concerned at just how easy it was for me to join a radical Islamist movement — and why there was hardly any support available when I decided to leave.

Hizb was a large family in many ways: a group offering social support, comradeship, a sense of purpose and validation. At 21, it was intoxicating to me.

I embraced my new Islamist identity and family with eagerness. Islamism transcends cultural norms, so it not only prompted me to reject my British identity but also my ethnic South Asian background. I was neither eastern, nor western; I was a Muslim, a part of the global ummah, where identity is defined through the fraternity of faith.

Islamists insist this identity is not racist because Islam welcomes people of all colours, ethnicities and backgrounds. That was true, but our world view was still horribly bipolar. We didn’t distinguish on the basis of colour, but on creed. The world was simply divided into believers and nonbelievers. It was a reality that came back to haunt me last month when I realised that Bilal Abdullah and Kafeel Ahmed, the two men linked with the alleged plot to attack London and Glasgow, were among my closest friends when I studied at Cambridge University.

My time in Cambridge was a turning point. I was studying for a doctorate, researching the development of Islamic political thought in late colonial India, which proved to be my saviour. My research caused me to find marked points of rupture in both the historical and theological narrative of what the Hizb was having me believe. Previous generations had failed, the Hizb told me, to apply Islam to the reality of a changed and changing world in the early 20th century. What I found could not have been further from this.

Throughout my thesis I was able to survey a wide range of Muslim opinion across the Indian subcontinent, among whom Abul Kalam Azad was a leading figure. He explained how Islam obliged Muslims to create a harmonious society. He was adept at offering lucid explanations from the texts of the Koran to show a secular state was validated through Islam.

Failing to accommodate diversity showed a neglect of the Koran’s opening chapter, al-Fatiha, which emphasises tolerance and mercy. Focusing on division rather than common humanity violated God’s unity, said Azad, who insisted in Tarjuman that: “The unity of man is the primary aim of religion.”

When independence came in 1947, Azad resisted the creation of Pakistan. Forming an exclusionary political identity in this way was against the essence of Islam.

My findings suffocated me. Far from being emancipated by my discovery, I fell into a spiral of confusion. I had sacrificed all my friends and family for a cause. Had it all been in vain? I felt overwhelmed by feelings of loneliness. And herein lies the problem. There was nowhere for me to turn.

I didn’t want to take my concerns to the Hizb because I knew what their response would be. If I wasn’t bullied back into action, I’d be made to feel guilty for leaving. I knew the protocol. When I embraced Hizb ut-Tahrir and the Islamist way of life there was an established network offering social support and validation. Shedding my old life was easy because I was absorbed by an alternative and more self-assured culture.

By the start of 2005 mentally I was no longer an Islamist. But there was no denying that emotionally I just didn’t have the courage to leave the Hizb. Then my nightmare was realised. I watched as London came under attack on July 7, 2005, by four British Muslims who claimed 52 innocent lives. This was the cauldron of Islamist hate boiling over.

When I resigned from Hizb ut-Tahrir, the social network that had once so warmly embraced me turned bitterly cold and confrontational. The inward love was replaced by the external hate.

Aged 24, I had to rebuild my life, almost entirely from scratch. Traditionally, it is at university that you forge your most enduring and meaningful friendships. Overnight, mine disappeared.

Then came hope. Over recent months I have spoken at length with Ed Husain, author of The Islamist, who was also in the ranks of the Hizb once. It was the revelation I was waiting for. When I met him, Ed’s first words, breaking their way through a beaming smile, were: “It feels like I’ve known you for years.” Immediately our stories resonated with remarkable familiarity. We had both experienced the same feelings of isolation and desperation before we plucked up the courage to leave.

Finally, I was not alone. Like old war veterans we shared stories, discussed what made us leave and what the future held. Having been a senior member in the Hizb I know there are scores of others with similar concerns. Some of them have also left and are coming together to form a united front against Islamism. They are not irreligious sell-outs, agents or part of some Judeo-Christian cult committed to the downfall of Islam, as groups like the Hizb would like to suggest. They are simply former Islamists who have rejected a particular political ideology, while remaining committed to their Muslim faith.

The significance of this should not be underestimated. When I first left, I emphasised that the challenges of Islamist extremism could never be overcome until the Muslim community formulated its own response. Since meeting Ed and becoming aware of the emerging network of other former members, many of them also holding a senior rank at one time, I was reassured. An influential figure still within the movement, but who is close to leaving, told me and Ed recently, “Don’t worry, your message is being heard.”

The landscape in the Muslim community is changing. Just as the divisive message of political Islam has been spread by young men across Britain, there is now a growing number of former activists leading the charge against the ideas that we once helped to promote. I only hope that our testimonies will encourage those still within Islamist movements to find the moral courage to leave.

Regarding the view that some are following , modelling the NAZI methods, I agree with that findings. I don't want to explain extensively, but I do agree and recommend that one check the parallelism with the Waffen SS culture and practices and compare that with what Hizb Al-tahrir and similar individuals or groups are doing.

ramonabad, Manila,

"Hizb ut tahrir doesn't incite violence or hatred by any means. It 's main goal is to build an islamic state......under which everybody can live." [Khaled, Jerusalem, Palestine]

Not everyone wants to live in an Islamic state. thank you all the same. You already have 57 Islamic states, how many more do you want?

Andy Gill, London, UK

Notice all the ad-hominem attacks on Shiraz by people who disagree with his point of view. This epitomizes the extremist cause by not being able to substantiate their ideas by any means of enlightened discourse.

Mordechai Palestein, Dearborn, Michigan, USA

After reading "The Islamist" I realised that Hizb Al-Tahrir is following in some aspects a similar ideology as the Nazis did.

Peter Wolf, Troisdorf, Germany

Don't you support the establishment of an islamic state any more? Do you think it is not valid? do we "have" to live in a secular state to meet the 21 century? Hizb ut tahrir doesn't incite violence or hatred by any means. It 's main goal is to build an islamic state......under which everybody can live.

Khaled, Jerusalem, Palestine

I hope the author of this article will maintain his strong Muslim faith while continuing to repudiate extremism. Moderate Muslims need brave, articulate spokespersons, but it seems that lately we've heard mainly from courageous moderate Muslim women.

RR, Phoenix, USA

A very interesting and laudable development in your life, Shiraz. Do you not question Islam itself, however? There are former Muslims as well as sober critics of Islam who have discovered its ideology and its founder to be so flawed and evil that they have found they have no course but to reject it.

Jill Monterey, oceanside, usa

shiraz is quick to attack non violent isalmic movements like hizb ut tahrir but if he cares so much about the human race when will he speak out against that other extremist movement called the labour party which has directly and indirectly killed over half a million men women and children in iraq and afghanistan.

jatvinder, sheffield,

This artiicle is a first, small, sign that maybe, just maybe, some Muslims in the West are moving toward values that make peaceful co-existence possible. I think that we in the West tend to misunderstand the enormity of the gap between us and the Islamic world. President Bush misunderstood this gap, when he thought that Iraq would embrace democracy, easily and with no great pain, after the US-UK-Australian forces overthrew Saddam Hussein. The many Western advocates of "multi-culturalism" also misunderstand the gap between us. They think that, if we are tolerant and multicultural, this will lead to peace and understanding. So much of the time, this attitude is entirely one-way; our desire to embrace the other is rarely meet with any reciprocal desire on their part. But just because the gap is huge does not mean that we do not need to try to brige it. This article is a baby step in that direction. I hope that the author and her colleaques continue with their work.

Rick Gibson, Los Angeles, California USA

It is interesting to note that the author has not provided a persuasive argument as to why one would support or agree with his views of Islamists.

Majority of Muslims feel a problem when their lands are invaded, exploited and violated, when stooges are appointed that suppress free thought and debate and when secular systems are implemented that contradict their very faith and history.

It is no wonder they see those who attack Islam whilst working with British institutions and authorities like the author above as nothing more than sell-outs and traitors - after all, what differentiates the likes of kemal attaturk, al-Saud and the Sharifs from the modern equivalents of miraz, hussain et al?

javed, UK,

How strong and courageous this person is for coming forward and sharing his/her thoughts, fears, hopes, and experiences for all of us to read. We must all work against extremism and for tolerance and acceptance. God bless this brave individual for coming forward and renouncing radical Islamism.

Noelle, Palos Park, IL

A confused person indeed, maybe in a few years time he will join another group

Londoner, Lonsd,

The belief that history is a war is a widespread disease of the human mind: e.g. the Nazi view of history as a race war, the Communist view of history as a class war, the Islmacist view of history as war between Muslims and the rest of humanity, and perhaps the militant Atheist view of history as a war between the Atheists and those "deluded" by religion. The belief of history as war can hardly be blamed on religion. It takes non-religious or atheisticc forms (Communism, Nazism) . More importantly, it is inconsistent with a belief in GOD -- i.e. that the world doesn't have to be here and is generated by infinite, extracosmic power (which is hardly simplistic). So called religions or religious movements which teach otherwise are simply idolotrous. Many people understand this and this article may add to that number.

Michael, Philadelphia, PA

This is great. I wish I could write a story of my escape from Catholicism. It took me a good 10 years to peel away all the bullshit.

John Jade, St. Louis,

"S".... Some very interesting allegations you make here....

Why don't you have the courage of your convictions and tell us your actual name?

Darius Bazargan, London,

Sometimes we despair of there being moderate Muslims, or that they might have any influence. Please continue with your work of promoting moderation. It's important for spreading true peace in the world.

Suzanne, Ottawa, Canada

The worldview encouraged to dominate by all groups such as Hizb and the methods to promote them have been in use for a very long time. The secular Turkish Republic has been experiencing this for more than five decades. The roots of the Islamist movement did not take hold easily but when it did, it did firmly and with a vengeance, just because of the reasons set forth by Shiraz Maher: a social comradeship that surrounds you warmly and gives you responsibilities as well as amenities. The duties given to you is to convert others, especially the "secular" or "laik" Muslims because if you defeat the secular state, you conquer all. Unfortunately, this is exactly what has happened in Turkey as we see with the last elections. People are encouraged to lead this path with gifts, social support and all means that the secular state has failed to accomplish. It is sorry to see the end is near for a democratic and secular Turkey. I don't understand why the Western world is stupid enough to support.

Emre Yucel, Bursa, Turkey

The sadest part, unstated here, is how non-Moslems make it more difficult for people like Shriaz to escape by recognizing Hizb and its ilk as voices of moderate Islam.

Ed, Georgia, USA

wow what a fantastic story from a muslim who may call him self as muslim but far away from islam but i like stories like this when they come from the mouth of a muslim becouse it us westners beutiful taste.... all the credit to Mr sharab maher

ramesh, london,

Shiraz seems like a pretty insecure man. Even after leaving Hizb ut Tharir he seems to crave some sort of acceptability, personally as an individual, and for his ideas. Surly what matters is confidence in oneself and what one holds as beliefs and values irrespective of what others think or agree with.

Arif, London, UK

The sad part, unstated here, is that non-Moslems make it harder for people like Shiraz to escape by recognizing Hizb and its ilk as the voices of "moderate Islam."

Ed, Georgia, USA

Andrew: What do you then make of the following people who were both devoutly religious and yet movers and shakers of this world?
1. Martin Luther King Jr.: Christian pastor who engaged the then racist South with non-violence, a concept borrowed from an equally religious man, Mahatma Ghandhi
2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Christian pastor took part in a failed plot to assassinate Hitler. Killed in Flossenburg, Germany for shielding Jews
3. Alabama governor: George Wallace who reconciled himself to his State's African Americans
4. William Wilberforce: British MP who shook up the Atlantic slave trade
5. Colonel Klaus von Stauffenberg: He along with Bonhoeffer took part in a plot to assassinate Hitler
6. Lech Walesa: Catholic Polish labor leader, whom along with his Church tore apart the Iron Curtain
7. Mother Theresa: An Albanian Catholic nun who unburdened the weary and shunned
Surely?

Jonathan, CA, USA

Shiraz: I applaud your courage to turn your back on a group that has forsaken the Ideal for hatred and misery. I applaud your courage to take the road less well traveled, especially when it has come at the cost of being wrenched from a group of brothers you once loved. I hope that people like you will become more numerous, and that you will continue to live in hope and joy. Greetings from California!
Visca Barca!

Jonathan, CA, USA

Thank God!!! How tremendous that there are men with such courage to go through the such an emotional tundra to find themselves again. These men can hold the torch for their other comrades to follow out of that hellish hate filled insanity. It's a truth that there are good souls ensnared in that religious tyranny. They need our prayers. They are our brothers and sisters, no matter what faith we are. God speed.

Jim Kearney, NYC, USA

Interesting.

olga, az, usa

Inspirational story. I suspect that my favorite line from the Koran--which I am reading off and on (not Muslim, just curious)--will be: "The first thing God created was human wisdom."

It would be a truly wonderful thing if the practitioners of the text based religions of our world-Judaism, Christianity & Islam--would get a grip on their histories and read about the applications of their cults to real people, living in our real world. Historically, there is equal misery to go around, and equal lost opportunies to better mankind.

But there is also much wise commentary from long dead scholars from diverse backgrounds on these texts. It isn't all the now fashionable, esoteric Jewish Cabala, but much is practical and based on respect and knowledge. Perhaps if the extremists were more aware of this--as with Mr. Maher--they would be less extreme. Truly, if a little knowledge is a dangerous thing than more knowledge offers the opportunity for wisdom. And using religion to justify atrocities would be less in vogue.

James Sibal, Kew Gardens, , NYC, USA

I am deeply relieved and thankful that at last an alternative to hate and destruction is emerging. As a Christian having for many years taught Muslim children and being loved by their parents since I required the highest possible standards and ambition from their children. We were a community together doing our very best to provide children with the skills in order to succeed in the UK. Our different faiths mattered only because parents knew that I would not belittle the holding or practicing of faith. I plead only that more ordinary Muslims who have received kindness and acceptance in this land, will stand up and be counted now, for the sake of your children and grandchildren.

Jeremy Forbes, London,

I can only hope you are making your testimony known in Arabic to Muslims as well as to readers of the Sunday Times.

G Pasley, London, UK

What an excellent article! It contains the insight that the jihadists are essentially ignorant of the history of their own religion. Obsessed as they are by paranoia about the loss of empire aka the caliphate (they should get over it - most of the British have got over the more recent loss of their own empire), the jihadists miss the essential historical truth that the greatest caliphs and moghuls were respected and revered for their tolerance and in some cases love of plurality of cultures and religions.

William, London,

The problem is religion itself. It has simplistic answers to complex questions of life, humanity, and creation. The reason why you were easily lead into such a group is the result of the indoctination as a child by your religous leaders. Why not adopt a non-religous state of mind and become a member of a moral secular society. If religion was open and comfortable with free thought, then why do all religions spend large amounts of energy in teaching youg childern. The answer is simple, by teaching youg children they will be less likely to adopt alternative thinking, and become followers. This process has been used by the Abrahamic religions for centuaries and more recently by extream political regimes such as the SS, North Korea, extream zionism and Islamist. Get them youg and you will have blind followers.

The intense teaching of religion to children is a perverse stain on humanity

Andrew Tagg, Halifax, UK

The problem with this narrative and the ideas this writer is putting forth is simple -- you don't beat something with nothing. If you claim that "Islamists" have nothing to offer Muslims or are a corrupting influence on Islam, then articulate or construct an alternative vision of WHAT it is you want Muslims to go towards instead. To date, the govt. has tried and utterly failed with the toothless govt. paid bodies such as the Sufi Muslim Council, the "Radical" Middle Way circus roadshow, and the Islam Expo.

Simple finger pointing and countless articles attacking group X or Y only serves to publicize them more. To destroy is easy to construct and build is much harder.

Kevin, Luton,

If one person or ten thousand people leave/kicked out of a political party, it only shows how professional, transparent and open they are. As for Ed (Mahboob) and wife Faye (Fatima), they have been rejected by the Muslim community as a whole and there is no doubt that Mahboob (Ed) is on a special payroll even if you have not quiet got there yet.

Have you still not got someone to fund your Phd yet? I'm sure with your intellectual desparation, you will get a world of offers!!!

S, Uk, England