Product Description

When I was sixteen I became an Islamic fundamentalist. Five years later, after much emotional turmoil, I rejected fundamentalist teachings and returned to normal life and my family. I tried to put my experiences behind me, but as the events of 7/7 unfolded it became clear to me that Islamist groups pose a threat to this country that we — Muslims and non-Muslims alike — do not yet understand. Why are young British Muslims becoming extremists? What are the risks of another home-grown terrorist attack on British soil? By describing my experiences inside these groups, the reasons I joined them and how, after leaving I recovered my faith and mind, I hope to explain the appeal of extremist thought, how fanatics penetrate Muslim communities and the truth behind their agenda of subverting the West and moderate Islam. Writing candidly about life after extremism, I illustrate the depth of the problem that now grips Muslim hearts and minds. I will lay bare what politicians and Muslim 'community leaders' do not want you to know. This is the first time an ex-member openly discusses life within radical Islamic organisations. This is my story.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9471 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Sunday Times
Insightful and gripping

Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times
All who glibly generalise about the no-man's-land between terrorism and multiculturalism should read this articulate and impassioned book.

Martin Amis
A persuasive and stimulating book.

Customer Reviews

Pandora's box
I couldn't stop thinking about this book when I had read it. I thank Ed Husain for being brave enough to write it. A difficult and compelling read, it scared the heck out of me, but I think everyone should read it - it will open your eyes.

Amazing insight to Islamism
I picked the book up on Friday and had finished it by Monday and loved it. I knew very little about Islam and why people became fanatic and so reading this book was a fabulous insight into the world of fanatics.

From the start we can see how the author was alone in school and the only people who would talk to him were the people who bring him into the radical side. The book then gets very in deph into the Islamist world and why they believe what they do. Once the author leaves that world we see how he realises that all the things he had believed were all lies and the people who preached to them were telling them lies.

What is also worrying about this book is that a book about radical islam that the author read as a child was still on sell in mosques after 9/11 and 7/7. Also when he goes to the middle east to learn arabic he finds so many people against the west and a lot of them wanted to move to Britain to attack Britain.

However even though they were many people that were radical and against the west there were plenty of muslems that loved the country and hated the radical side. I loved this book and enjoyed learning more about Islam. Fantastic read and worth buying.

A very good book brought to you by someone who was there.
I really enjoyed this book, which I found easy to read and gripping. A dynamic and organic view of muslim life for a young man growing up in London, written by a muslim whos belief structure changes as his exposure to the radical and fundmentlist elements increases. A balanced book, that I found interesting and informative and leaves the reader with a thirst for more knowledge. Im really pleased I got this book, buy it....