More From Kiwi Ex Radical Islamist Charles Wardle
The main stream media should be all over this guy.
Influenced by reading Robert Fisk, Charles becomes sympathetic to "oppressed" Muslim communities and being an idealist, wants to help.
He goes to Pakistan in 2001 to offer his services to the cause. Told only a Muslim can serve "Jihad" Charles converts and studies Islam in several countries.
He undergoes training in Jihad simultaneously and serves the cause in several countries-undergoing some pretty scary moments on the way.
Charles serves with several Western born Jihadis-some who now dead or jailed. Some still active.
Charles eventually comes back to New Zealand and is involved in the Islamic community here.
A university science education sows doubts in his mind and Charles leaves Islam.
He wants to build bridges between "mainstream" NZ and moderate Muslims in this country. He understands New Zealand has its own Islamic extremist movement that could cause some major problems.
Charles wants to avert disaster for both his fellow new Zealanders and the local Islamic community whom he still very much admires. He is taking some risk in attempting to do so.
Is this guy unique or what?
Does his story need to reach a wider audience?
Influenced by reading Robert Fisk, Charles becomes sympathetic to "oppressed" Muslim communities and being an idealist, wants to help.
He goes to Pakistan in 2001 to offer his services to the cause. Told only a Muslim can serve "Jihad" Charles converts and studies Islam in several countries.
He undergoes training in Jihad simultaneously and serves the cause in several countries-undergoing some pretty scary moments on the way.
Charles serves with several Western born Jihadis-some who now dead or jailed. Some still active.
Charles eventually comes back to New Zealand and is involved in the Islamic community here.
A university science education sows doubts in his mind and Charles leaves Islam.
He wants to build bridges between "mainstream" NZ and moderate Muslims in this country. He understands New Zealand has its own Islamic extremist movement that could cause some major problems.
Charles wants to avert disaster for both his fellow new Zealanders and the local Islamic community whom he still very much admires. He is taking some risk in attempting to do so.
Is this guy unique or what?
Does his story need to reach a wider audience?
Labels: Charles wardle, New Zealand, radical Islam
posted by Trevor Loudon at
8/04/2009 10:20:00 AM
3 Comments
