An inside look at Islamic extremism | Mubin Shaikh

Mubin Shaikh was “bit by the jihadi bug” when he was 19. Born and raised in Canada, he traveled to Pakistan to study Islam — and there found himself captivated by a group of extremists who encouraged him to embrace a violent and skewed interpretation of the religion. In his talk, Shaikh shares the story of how he was de-radicalized, and eventually became an undercover counterterrorism operative for the CIA.

TEDArchive presents previously unpublished talks from TED conferences.
Enjoy this unedited talk by Mubin Shaikh.
Filmed at TEDWomen in 2015

[hmm]

I feel so lucky that my grandparents chose to leave Pakistan and come to India at the time of partition

[boom]

that's why they say little knowledge is more dangerous..

[andreab]

There are 2 options: either the quran legitimizes violence, or the quran is prone to ambiguous interpretations that MIGHT lead to violence. In either case, it is frightening.

[wisdomplay]

First time I heard a true Muslim who is fortunately now not a Muslim but human . Impressive, great 👍

[clemalford]

If he went to India there are other holy men who teach peacefully. Not all are walking around with AK47s. Just the Islamic jihadists in Pakistan. India is a diverse religious place and he could have sought out Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians etc. and discussed without fear religion with them. Doubt if he could in Pakistan. Allah or nothing!

[zacharyjohns]

"Radicalization is a process by which an individual comes to believe that violence in public spaces is acceptable. Once that person accepts that, they are an extremist."

Such a great clarification, and applicable to many groups in America.

[lindseymosby]

This should have been published immediately. TED is about education and enlightenment, not about keeping listeners' heads in the sand. Very good video. :)

[vaishalibharti]

I really would like to appreciate your courage for getting out of that place and sharing your experiences, accepting your mistakes and talk openly. More power to you.

[deepakchoubey]

In India you can't have AK47, he is confused between India and Pakistan. Though extremists are present in India, a lot of them but they can't have AK47.

[rahmath]

Why islamic countries like Pakistan do not do anything about extrimism? They know about their schools, their training camps, their leaders. Yet they sit and look at them grow.

[MiracleKY]

Sir. Thank you for sharing it.
How to be extremists?
Believing so much into one political idea and religion.

[aruji-sama]

Why does this video have only 27402 views? I mean this video can change people....youtube has to do something getting the write word out will change the world.

[justindvis]

Notice how he’s says an extremist is “once they accept violence in a public place” Really, that’s all? Not the other intolerant beliefs Islam teaches and hating the infidel?

[rahmath]

I read quran without knowing the meaning for years. Every village child in a Muslim country has this story. Qurans with meaning are rare in villages.

[math_makerbrooo]

The only thing required; "there's no ultimate truth". No ultimate book. There are other truths in the world. Be rational. Use your mind. Be agnostic!

[nakshbhati]

He falsely use name of India.
He went to afghanistan and Pakistan... Dont mislead the world about the India.

[jaskaranparmar]

Your love affair with afterlife is a problem

[nishitpatel]

Yo where are those guys who preach that it is a religion of "piece"😂😂

[Just_Car_Spotting]

This is the first Muslim who I have heard from who hasn’t told rubbish (from my personal experience). Good on him for speaking up.

[siddharthakousik]

The mere mention of India scared me. India being neighbor to Pakistan or being a place of many muslims doesn't have anything to do with what he was mentioning. India is not a place for Islamic extremists. People of every religion on the globe coexist peacefully and moreover people of all religions (including muslims) take up high positions like judges and even politicians. India is for peace. The End.