Jihad: a story of the others is a powerful film about angry young men. Rebellious, frustrated and bored. Feeling socially excluded. Victimised and discriminated against. Marginalised and oppressed.
It's about motivational leaders who inspire a sense of belonging and acceptance. And a 'family' where people develop courage and feel respected. Leaders who inspire violence, even martyrdom. Leaders who can be heroes for rebellious and disillusioned young girls too.
The situation is not new. But the stage changes. Which makes it all-the-more urgent and important to try to understand the mind-set of angry and disillusioned young people.
This is a vital documentary. And Deeyah is the best person to have made the film, as a Norwegion-born Muslim of Pakistani-Afghan heritage who, being high profile, was herself many times a victim of threats and discrimination. And, in addition, she is an excellent film-maker.
From Abu Muntasir - as a young man, a charismatic and fiery Jihadi fighter and preacher radicalising western Muslims, to Yasmin Mulbocus - as a young girl, disillusioned and rebellious, drawn to ideological young men. The camera roles on as, years later, the once radicalised men (and woman) explain why they had been attracted to violent extremism. The interviewees speak openly to Deeyah, which is of course a credit to Deeyah. She allows them to speak uninterrupted, apart from occasional prompts and intelligent questions.
The motivation behind the film is clear, including the reason the once-radicalised participants are willing to speak out. Everyone involved is keen to prevent more young people turning to violent ideologies.
In my youth, in England, the 'enemy' was the 'Irish'. Speaking to Irish friends now, they tell me that, as young people in England, they felt discriminated against and victimised, purely for having an Irish accent or even just an Irish name.
The story is similar. Some English young people turned to support the Irish Republican Army ('terrorists'). Others turned to violent movements such as Class War, the Animal Liberation Front and, at the other extreme, the National Front.
Deeyah's documentary is deeply thought-provoking, sensitively filmed, and hugely insightful. It is also courageous. Courageous of Deeyah to have made it. And also courageous for the reformed radical Muslims taking part - as many viewers will be quick to judge and slow to forgive.
The film ends with a powerful, eye-opening and emotive scene, where Deeyah again keeps the camera rolling. Abu Muntasir, the once radical preacher and fighter, spends some time talking about forgiveness.. Deeyah then asks softly if he's forgiven himself. It seems that's a question he's never thought about. He doesn't know how to reply and, instead, tears well up in his eyes. There is a long silence - but Abu Muntasir's face says it all.
I think the film makes it blatantly clear that we, as a society, need to listen to our young people. If not, then the story will continue in other settings, with other 'enemies' radicalising vulnerable young people and encouraging them to channel their anger and resentment into violence. Which, often, they themselves grow to regret.
Deeyah of course explains it best. Shortly before the closing scene, she says:
"I came to understand that radicalisation is about pain. It's the pain of racism, exclusion from society... Yes, many of them have material comforts but I believe too many of them lead lives of emotional poverty. And what I also found is that people can come out of extremism and rebuild their lives... There is hope and we shouldn't give up. We need to look beyond what divides us and come together to create a society where we all belong."
A vital discussion to have - and Deeyah's film prompts further discussion.
