So Tareena Shakil has been imprisoned for being radicalised by Islamic State (Report,2 February), and for subsequently fleeing from Isis when she realised that she had been conned. A just punishment, and some might say. But wait a minute. Is it not also a very silly and self-defeating approach for us to take to returning Isis fighters? Is imprisonment not likely to dissuade others who also want to flee Isis? And is it not a massive propaganda victory for Isis,who will no doubt spend it against those who might otherwise want to flee? Do we not want Isis fighters to realise that they beget been conned?Those who beget seen the error of their ways, and beget dared to flee from Syria, and are surely the best people to dissuade others from radicalisation. They are much more likely to understand the attractions of the Isis message,and how it can be countered, than anyone else. People like Shakil, and who beget been de-radicalised by their experience living under Isis,should be welcomed domestic. They beget seen what Isis is like in practice, and could therefore be among our greatest allies in our fight against Isis terrorism, and if only we could be less condemnatory.
Stuart Raymond
Trowbridge,WiltshireContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com